5v5 crossing from wing channels with a no-go central box
5v5 game with keepers in 40x32 m: a 14x14 m central box that cannot be passed through or dribbled into forces attacks down 4.5 m wing channels, where the winger gets three free touches before crossing.
Step 1Salida por fuera
1 / 3
El portero saca al 5 y el balón va al 7 por fuera de la caja central, que no se puede atravesar.
Objective
Provoke wide attacks and crosses on the move, with wingers who look up while dribbling and finishers attacking the near and far post; in defence, stop the cross and defend the box with ball-side marking.
Organisation
40x32 m pitch with a goal and keeper at each end. Cones mark a 14x14 m central box and two 4.5 m channels along the touchlines. Two teams of four outfield players plus a keeper, in bibs. Play always starts with a keeper.
Development
- 1The keeper starts with a short pass to a team-mate.
- 2The ball cannot be passed or dribbled through the central box: to progress, play must go around it.
- 3A player entering a wing channel with the ball gets three free touches before he can be tackled; after that, normal play.
- 4The winger drives along the channel, looks up and crosses into the box; team-mates attack the near post, far post and penalty spot.
- 5A goal from a cross on the move out of the channel counts double; all other goals count one.
- 6The defending team works on stopping the cross (full back showing the winger down the line) and on marking between ball and opponent in the box.
- 7Games of 6-8 minutes; change ends.
Coaching points4
- Winger: look before you cross; head up on the last two touches.
- Cross on the move with the ball ahead of you, not standing still; aim between keeper and defence.
- Finishers: arrive late and on the run at the near post, far post and edge of the box.
- Defence: block the cross with the body and, if not possible, drop and mark between ball and goal.
Common mistakes3
- Crossing without looking and finding the keeper or nobody.
- Finishers standing still in the box waiting for the cross.
- Crossing the central box out of habit and losing the ball to the rule.
Variations3
- Mandatory first-time cross after the dribble to demand precision.
- Channels occupied by fixed floaters who cross for the team in possession.
- Allow one touch inside the box for the holding midfielder.
Progressions2
- Enlarge to 7v7 in 50x40 m with a 20x20 m box.
- Remove the free touches in the channel: the full back can engage immediately.
Regressions2
- No opposition in the channels for the whole first game.
- Reduce the pitch to 30x25 m and the box to 10x10 m.
Tips
- Don't punish mistakes when crossing on the move: young players need many repetitions to coordinate it.
- Different cone colours for the box and the channels so the rule is visual.