Crossing and finishing with shooting scenarios

This multidirectional session is about game-realistic play, positive moves and developing the ability to finish from crosses, with varied shooting scenarios.

It is important to practise this because being clinical in front of goal when chances arrive can be the difference between winning and losing football matches. After all, 50% of the goals we’ve scored this season have been by strikers.

The session encourages players to practise shooting from distance, and greatly improves an understanding of getting into goalscoring positions.

We work on this session at least once a week.

What do I get the players to do?

Crossing sequence

Setting up as shown (1a), we begin from position B, with one blue touching the ball to a team mate, who takes a touch then shoots.

1a

A third blue now joins and all three players move forward, looking to get on the end of a cross from a team mate at position A, to the left (1b). A red defender in the goalmouth attempts to stifle the threat.

1b

Next, attackers turn to their right, and a cross is delivered from position C, on the right-hand side (1c).

1c

After these attacks, three new blues come into the area at position B.

How do I progress the session?

There are a number of standard progressions we’ll try. So from position B, wall passes can be made between the three blue players before a shot is taken. Alternatively, we might ask them to attack the goal ensuring runs are made strictly from 

onside positions; or we can condition it so one blue has to dribble past a passive defender before shooting.

From position A, before crossing, the wide man can dribble the ball forward first, or make a short pass with a team mate. We also want to experiment with deep crosses, as well as altering the pace, power and distance and angle of the delivery (2a). The same progressions apply for position C (2b).

2a

2b

As a final progression, invite a crosser to join in the attack (3). This adds an extra forward option, as well as providing a second ball option for attacking knockdowns, or crosses only half-cleared by a defender. We can also add further defenders for increased realism.

3

What are the key things to look out for?

We want to see good shooting technique, with the ball being driven or passed into the goal, and using one-touch finishing, volleys and half-volleys. The practice will fail unless players ensure they communicate well at all times, with quick transitions to the next area.