Cross And Clear

Objective

• -Defend wide attacks
• -Link tackling to clearing
• -Prepare for crossing situations

Setup

1. 1Mark a 35 x 25 yard area with a wide crossing lane on one side.
2. 2Place a mini goal or target area at the far end.
3. 3Work in groups of four to six with bibs.
4. 4One player starts wide with a ball, one defender closes, others wait behind the start cone.

How to play

1. 1The wide player dribbles down the channel and looks to cross or cut inside.
2. 2The defender tries to stop the cross with a tackle or block challenge.
3. 3If the defender wins it, they clear into a target zone or mini goal.
4. 4If the attacker crosses successfully, a runner can finish at the far end.
5. 5Swap roles every few balls so both sides get the chance to defend wide.

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

• -Letting the attacker get head up
• -Arriving too late to stop the delivery
• -Clearing straight back into danger