Soccer Shooting Drill
Crossing and Finishing
A wide player dribbles down the wing and plays a low cross. Two runners attack the near post and the far post and finish.
Step 1 of 7
1 has the ball on the wing. 2 will attack the near post and 3 the far post. GK in goal.
- Time
- 15 min
- Players
- 4–7
- Ages
- 9–16U10–U17
- Pace
- Medium
Works on
- Shooting
- Passing
Set up
- Put a cone on the wing about 20 yards from the end line. The wide player starts 10 yards behind it with the balls.
- Two runners start about 25 yards from goal, with a cone between them.
- The near post is the goal post closest to the ball. The far post is the other one.
- A keeper is in goal. With extra players, make a short line at each starting spot.
- Space
- Half field, one wing and the penalty box
- You need
- 1 goal · 2 cones · Plenty of balls · Pinnie for the keeper
How to play
- The wide player dribbles down the wing, past the cone, toward the end line.
- The near-post runner goes first and sprints to the near post.
- The far-post runner waits a moment, then sprints in late toward the far post.
- The wide player looks up and plays a low cross: a firm pass along the ground across the front of the goal.
- The runners finish with their feet, first time if they can.
- Rotate: wide player to near post, near post to far post, far post to the wing. Switch wings halfway through.
Coaching points
- Keep crosses on the ground. No heading for players 10 and under.
- Wide player: look up before you cross and pick a runner.
- Runners: do not arrive too early. Time your run, then sprint.
- Near post and far post. Never run to the same spot.
- Finish low and early. Side-foot it to the open side of the goal.
Easier
Play without a keeper at first, or let the wide player start close to the end line and cross a ball that is not moving.
Harder
Add a defender who starts on the penalty spot. Runners get one touch to finish.
Run it at your next practice
With a free account, put Crossing and Finishing in a practice plan with its minutes and water breaks. At the field the clock moves on to the next drill by itself.