Match: Goals from Crosses with Touch Zones
Match where a goal only counts from a cross. Two touches maximum in your own build-up zone and free touches in the middle to switch the play.
- Age
- U13–Senior
- Players
- 12–16
- Duration
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 60 × 40 m
- Type
- Integrated
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Match
- Objectives
- Technical: Crossing
- Tactical: Switching play, Build-up play
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:CrossingRunning with the ball
- Tactical:Switching playWidthAttacking the box
Training diagram
Two touches in the build-up zone to play wide, free touches in the middle to switch the play, then a cross to score.
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Goalkeeper
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Dribble
- Shot
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
The match that follows the clear-wide work: the two-touch limit in your own third forces quick play and clearances to the wings, while free touches in the middle allow a player to carry the ball and switch the play to the other side. The goal only counts from a cross, so every attack ends in a crossing situation.
Objective
Play out of your own third quickly towards the wing, switch the play through the middle and finish from a cross.
Organisation
- 60 × 40 m pitch divided into three zones: a 15 m build-up zone in front of each goal and a 30 m middle zone.
- A goal and goalkeeper at each end. Two teams of five to seven.
How it works
- In your own build-up zone, maximum two touches.
- In the middle zone, free touches: carry the ball and take it to the other side.
- In the attacking zone, free touches. A goal only counts if the last pass is a cross from wide of the posts.
- 4 × 5 minutes.
Coaching points
- Build-up zone: look at the wing before receiving and play it there in two touches.
- Middle zone: if the wing is closed, drive inside and switch to the far side.
- Fill the box: near post, far post and one player arriving late.
Progressions
- Headers and first-time volleys count double.
- One touch in the build-up zone.
Regressions
- Three touches in the build-up zone.
- The crosser cannot be tackled.
Variations
- A goal after a switch of play in the middle zone counts double.
Key principles
- Quick to the wing.
- Switch through the middle.
- Finish from a cross.
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