Crossing patterns and box movement

Setup

1. Half pitch with a goal and keeper. A midfielder in the centre, a winger and an overlapping full-back on each side.
2. Three runners on the edge of the box: striker, far winger and attacking midfielder. Two centre-backs join from the second block.

How it runs

1. Midfielder plays wide; the full-back overlaps and the winger slips the full-back down the outside to cross early.
2. Runners attack three spaces: near post, far post and the cut-back spot at the edge. Alternate sides every rep.
3. Block 1 unopposed, 10 reps. Then 3v2 plus keeper, 4 × 4 min, 90 s rest. A first-time finish from a cross counts double.

Coaching points

• Cross early while the back line is running towards its own goal. Low and hard into the space between keeper and defenders.
• Hold the run outside the box, then attack the space as the crosser's head goes down. Arrive, don't wait.
• Near-post runner goes first and across the defender. Far-post runner stays out of the keeper's eyeline and arrives late.
• The third runner stops at the edge for the cut-back and never runs into the same space as the others.

Common mistakes

• All three runners arrive at the penalty spot together.
• The crosser stops to look up and the defence gets set.
• Runners stand in the box early and are marked out of it.