Driven Cross Relay

Objective

• -Warm up movement for wide play
• -Practise crossing under light pressure
• -Link running, turning and passing

Setup

1. 1Mark two wide lanes and two end zones in a 25 x 20 yard area.
2. 2Split players into two teams with balls at one end.
3. 3Place cones to make a small delivery zone in front of each end zone.
4. 4No goalkeepers are needed.

How to play

1. 1The first player dribbles through the lane and lays the ball off to the next runner.
2. 2The next runner sprints into the delivery zone and shapes a cross back across the area.
3. 3A third player meets the cross with a controlled finish into space or a marked target zone.
4. 4The group then swaps direction and goes back the other way.
5. 5Keep the tempo high but the actions clean and safe.

Progressions

• +Two-Touch Limit: drop to one touch in the central area
• +Weak Foot Only: add a defender to raise the pressure
• +Tempo Clock: cut the clock to four seconds
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Two-Touch Limit: allow three touches while the picture is learned
• -Weak Foot Only: static, unopposed reps before adding movement
• -Tempo Clock: extend the clock to ten seconds
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Two-Touch Limit — Players are limited to two touches — one to control, one to release.
• -Weak Foot Only — Every touch, pass and finish must be with the weaker foot.
• -Tempo Clock — The ball must reach the end action inside six seconds or the rep restarts.
• -Scan and Cue — The coach shows a colour or number and the receiver must call it before their first touch.
• -Shadow Pressure — A shadow defender applies half pressure and can win the ball only after the first touch.
• -Score Challenge — Run it as a timed competition — pairs or teams count successful reps and compare scores.
• -1-to-1 Session — Run as an individual session: coach serves, one player works through the reps with rest built in.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Jogging through the warm up
• -Crossing without scanning
• -Stopping after the lay-off