Crossing

Attack v Defend The Box

Contest crosses in a realistic box

Crossing

Defending

Attack v Defend The Box is a 18-minute crossing drill for 6-18 players, suitable for Under 10 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs, full goals. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

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Crossing

Defending

Heading

Skill Practice

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Full Squad

Youth Friendly

Adult Suitable

Goals Needed

Duration

18 min

Players

6-18

Pitch size

Penalty area plus flanks

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Objectives

-Contest crosses in a realistic box
-Defend the delivery as a unit
-Attack the ball with intent

Setup

1Two crossers on each flank with balls.
2Three attackers against three defenders in the box.
3Keeper in goal.

Coaching instructions

1Crossers alternate deliveries into the box.
2Attackers score, defenders clear beyond the halfway cone.
3Ten deliveries then swap roles.

Coaching points

-Attackers move to lose the marker before the delivery
-Defenders see the ball and the runner
-Keeper communicates early on the ball

Common mistakes

-Standing side by side with the marker
-Watching the ball only
-Attacking the ball flat footed

Equipment needed

Balls

Cones

Bibs

Full Goals

Age groups

Under 10

Under 11

Under 12

Under 13

Under 14

Under 15

Under 16

Adults

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