Week 35

Outcomes

• ✓Players can deliver a low driven cross across the face of the goal.
• ✓Players can loft a cross to the far post with the inside of the foot.
• ✓Players can adjust their approach to cross on the run.
• ✓Players can select the correct type of cross based on where the runners are.

Equipment

• 12 cones
• 6 bibs
• 12 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 keepers

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Each player with a ball at the wide area of the pitch.

   How to run it: Players dribble toward the byline, stop at the edge, and play a side-foot pass across the six-yard box to a target cone. Focus on pace and accuracy, not power. Move the cone targets progressively farther across.

   • ›Lock your ankle for a firm, accurate pass.
   • ›Open your hips toward the target.
   • ›Strike with the inside of the foot — not the toe.

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Wide channel, one crosser and one target player at the far post cone.

   How to run it: Crosser dribbles to the byline and delivers three types of cross: (1) rolled along the ground, (2) driven low at knee height, (3) lofted to the far post. Target player tries to control each. Rotate after nine crosses.

   • ›Ground cross: strike through the bottom half, follow through low.
   • ›Driven cross: full instep contact, follow through level.
   • ›Lofted: strike slightly under the ball, follow through upward.

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: Wide channels each side. Three crossers per side, two target runners in the box, keeper in goal.

   How to run it: Crosser dribbles to the byline and coach calls 'Near post!', 'Far post!', or 'Cut-back!' as they arrive. Crosser must deliver accordingly. Runners adjust their runs to match. Rotate crossers after every six crosses.

   • ›Near-post: low and fast across the keeper.
   • ›Far-post: bent with the instep, hang time.
   • ›Cut-back: roll back to the edge of the box — for a set finisher.

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: Teams of three: one crosser, two finishers vs. keeper. Teams take turns — four crosses per team per round, two rounds.

   How to run it: 1 point for a goal from any cross. 2 points if the crosser and finisher called their intentions before the cross ('Cut-back!', 'Near post!') and it worked. Coach listens for the calls.

   • ›Communication earns bonus points — make the call clearly.
   • ›Crosser: don't always go to the same spot — vary it.
   • ›Finishers: split to give the crosser two options.

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 5v5 including keepers, 35×25 yd, full goals.

   How to run it: Standard match. Goals scored from crosses count double. Crosser and finisher both get credit announced by name: 'Maria's cross, Jaylen's finish — two points!'

   • ›Wide players: your priority is the byline — earn the chance to cross.
   • ›Central players: anticipate the cross with your run.
   • ›Keeper: communication and positioning when the ball goes wide.

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Group near goal.

   How to run it: Shoulder rolls, wrist circles, gentle trunk rotation. Coach asks: 'When would you choose a cut-back over a far-post cross?' Take two answers.

   • ›Cut-back when runners arrive late from the edge of the box.
   • ›Far-post cross when a tall or fast runner can win a header or volley.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can finish from a cross with a first-time effort.
• ✓Players can head or volley a lofted cross on target.
• ✓Players can make coordinated box runs to provide multiple crossing targets.
• ✓Players can defend against crossing situations with organised positioning.

Equipment

• 12 cones
• 8 bibs
• 10 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 keepers

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Pairs near the penalty area, one ball.

   How to run it: Player A volleys or heads the ball back to Player B from a tossed serve. Both practice: soft lofted toss, volley return; firm flat toss, first-time pass return. 15 reps each.

   • ›Volley: keep the ball below you, strike through it, toes down.
   • ›Header: attack the ball with the forehead, eyes open.
   • ›Meet the ball — don't pull away.

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Full attack zone: wide crossers, central runners, keeper in goal.

   How to run it: Structured crossing warm-up: crosser from the right, two runners (near and far post). Three crosses then swap. Add left-side crosser and mirror. Focus on runs and timing.

   • ›Near-post runner: time your run to arrive as the cross is delivered.
   • ›Far-post runner: arrive late — your job is to finish the far corner.
   • ›Runs should be diagonal, not straight.

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch half. 3v2 attack (plus keeper): two attackers plus a wide crosser vs. two defenders. Wide crosser cannot be tackled in the wide channel.

   How to run it: Two central attackers combine to create space and make runs while the wide crosser delivers. Defenders defend the two central attackers and may not enter the wide channel. Rotate roles every five reps.

   • ›Central attackers: move to create separation before the cross.
   • ›Split runs: one near, one far — force the defence to split.
   • ›Crosser: wait for the runners before delivering.

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 4v3 (+keeper) in the attacking half. All goals must come from crosses. Defenders earn a point for every cross they block or prevent.

   How to run it: Attackers must complete a cross-and-finish for their goal to count. If they score from open play it doesn't count — they must reset and build to the cross again. Three-minute rounds.

   • ›Attackers: use numerical advantage to isolate the wide player.
   • ›Defenders: block the crossing lane as a priority.
   • ›Keeper: command your box — claim high balls confidently.

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 6v6 including keepers, 40×30 yd, full goals.

   How to run it: Free match. Coach designates two wide 'crossing zones' (5 yards each side). If a player receives in the crossing zone, the opposing team's two closest defenders must stay outside the box until the cross is played — creating a fair crossing chance.

   • ›Use the crossing zone rule to your advantage — get into that channel.
   • ›Runners in the box: position early, hold your run, then attack.
   • ›Keeper: organise your defenders before the cross lands.

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Group in a circle, ball passed around.

   How to run it: Easy passing circle while coach asks: 'What's the hardest part of finishing from a cross?' Address the top answer with one practical tip.

   • ›The hardest part is timing the run — practice makes it feel natural.
   • ›Trust the crosser — communicate before they deliver.