By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.
Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter. Todays featured activity works on long passes, receiving long passes, dribbling at speed, crossing and finishing.
This activity uses half a field with a goal and a keeper in goal. There are 5 groups of players to start. One group has balls just inside of midfield, in the middle of the field. One group is out wide waiting for the first pass. One group is 10 yards away from goal than the group waiting for the ball (they are defenders). One group is out wide on the other side and the last group is off of the end line (they are also defenders).
The player with the ball starts by either chipping or driving the ball to the player out wide.
The player who made the pass then makes a looping far post run. The player who receives the ball takes the first touch down the line toward the end line. The first defender starts chasing the player with the ball as soon as the player with the ball touches it.
The player on the far side starts a near post run and the defender on the end line goes into the 18 to defend the runners.
The player with the ball crosses to one of the runners for a first time finish.
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The points of emphasis in this activity are many. We need a good initial pass, the player receiving the ball must attack with the initial touch and then dribble at speed before getting his body turned for a good crossing opportunity. The runners must time their runs properly and make their runs with conviction and the cross must be hit properly.
After each turn the players should rotate clockwise (so the defender on the end line becomes the receiving player next, the receiving player becomes the first defender, the first defender becomes the first passer and the first passer becomes the near post runner.
This is an excellent activity to work on many aspects of the game but make sure to keep the flow going so there isn’t much standing around.
Have a great day!
Lawrence
By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.
