Crossing and finishing drills are essential for developing the skills necessary to create scoring opportunities in football. These drills focus on improving the accuracy of crosses and the ability of players to convert those crosses into goals. Whether you’re a coach looking to enhance your team’s performance or a player aiming to elevate your game, these practical examples will help you master these crucial techniques.
This drill is perfect for improving the synergy between wingers and strikers. It simulates a game-like scenario where wingers deliver crosses into the box for strikers to finish.
In this drill, set up two cones about 30-40 yards apart on the wings to represent the area where the wingers will operate. Position a striker at the edge of the penalty area and a goalkeeper in goal. The wingers start with the ball at the cones and make overlapping runs to deliver crosses. The striker times their run to connect with the cross and attempt a finish.
For variation, you can have the wingers deliver different types of crosses—low drives, lofted balls, and curling crosses—to challenge the striker to adapt their finishing technique accordingly.
This drill emphasizes accuracy in finishing while simulating the pressure of a live match. It’s ideal for honing players’ ability to convert crosses into goals.
Set up a goal with targets placed in the corners of the net. Have a player take position at the edge of the penalty area, while another player stands on the wing ready to deliver a cross. The player on the wing crosses the ball into the box, and the player in the penalty area must focus on hitting the targets instead of just scoring in the net.
To increase difficulty, introduce a defender to apply pressure, forcing the attacking player to be decisive in their finishing. You can also vary the types of crosses and targets to keep the drill engaging and challenging.
This drill is designed to simulate game conditions where players must deliver accurate crosses despite defensive pressure. It’s great for enhancing both crossing and finishing skills.
Divide players into two teams and set up a small-sided game on a marked field. Each team must attempt to cross the ball into the designated scoring area (a small zone in front of the goal) while the opposing team tries to defend. Players on the attacking team must work together to create space for crosses, while defenders apply pressure to disrupt their efforts.
Once a cross is delivered, strikers positioned in the scoring area must be ready to finish quickly before defenders recover. For added complexity, limit the number of touches players can take before crossing, or set a time limit for each attacking sequence.
By practicing these examples of crossing and finishing drills, players can significantly improve their ability to create and convert scoring opportunities, ultimately enhancing their overall performance on the field.