Crossing
Attack v Defend The Box: Score Challenge
Contest crosses in a realistic box
Crossing
Defending
Attack v Defend The Box: Score Challenge 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.
Back to drill libraryCrossing
Defending
Heading
Skill Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Competitive
Fun
Repetition
Duration
18 min
Players
6-18
Pitch size
Penalty area plus flanks
Ability levels
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Pitch diagram
Attack v Defend The Box: Score Challenge — Pairs facing each other · Penalty area plus flanks
Step 1 of 5Crossers alternate deliveries into the box.
- 1. Crossers alternate deliveries into the box.
- 2. Attackers score, defenders clear beyond the halfway cone.
- 3. Ten deliveries then swap roles.
- 4. Run it as a timed competition — pairs or teams count successful reps and compare scores.
- 5. Rotation: Swap roles.
- Ball
- Pairs working across a marked lane
- Dotted arrow = rotation between repetitions
- Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble
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.
- 4Run it as a timed competition — pairs or teams count successful reps and compare scores.
Coaching points
- -Attackers move to lose the marker before the delivery
- -Defenders see the ball and the runner
- -Keeper communicates early on the ball
- -Keep quality while the score matters
- -Reset quickly between reps to fit more in
Common mistakes
- -Standing side by side with the marker
- -Watching the ball only
- -Attacking the ball flat footed