Pressure Double Wide Crossing

Objective

• -Repeat crossing reps from both sides
• -Vary the type of delivery
• -Keep strikers busy with continuous service

Setup

1. 1Crossing stations on both wings with a finishing box in front of goal in a 42 x 30 yards area.
2. 2Position a recovering defender behind each working player, starting two yards back.
3. 3Balls at both wide stations, keeper in goal.

How to play

1. 1Left side delivers, strikers attack, then right side delivers immediately.
2. 2Wingers alternate between driven, clipped and cut-back deliveries.
3. 3Strikers rotate out after four attacks.
4. 4The defender is released the moment the ball leaves the server's foot.
5. 5The working player scores by completing the action before pressure arrives; the defender scores by blocking it.

Progressions

• +Defender starts level rather than behind
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Defender presses at jogging pace only
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Two defenders alternate so pressure is constant
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Same cross every time
• -Strikers ball-watching between deliveries
• -Facing your own goal and getting trapped by the press