Defending crosses 4v4 inside the box with target players
Four teams of four and two keepers in a 33x33 m area: 4v4 inside the box, four attackers crossing from outside and four target players the defence must find after clearing.
Step 1Saque del portero
1 / 3
El portero lanza con la mano al 14, atacante exterior, por encima del área.
Objective
Train defending the box against crosses: stop the cross, mark between ball and opponent, clear away from danger and coordinate the keeper's decision (catch or punch).
Organisation
33x33 m area (two penalty boxes facing each other) with a full-size goal and keeper at each end. Four teams of four in bibs: one team defends inside the box, another attacks inside the box, a third surrounds the box as crossers and the fourth stands as target players outside, at the top. Balls with the keepers.
Development
- 1The keeper starts play by throwing to an outside attacker.
- 2The four outside attackers circulate the ball around the box and look to cross from wide; the four inside attackers move to finish.
- 3The attacking team can only score directly from a cross delivered from outside the box.
- 4The four inside defenders mark between ball and opponent, attack the ball in the air and clear far away: high, wide and long.
- 5If the defenders clear or intercept and get the ball to a target player, they earn a point and the teams rotate.
- 6Rotation after a goal or a pass to a target: defenders become targets, targets become crossers, crossers become inside attackers and inside attackers become defenders.
- 7Each team totals goals scored and defensive points.
Coaching points4
- First stop the cross: the defender nearest the crosser blocks the crossing foot.
- Mark between ball and opponent, side-on so you can see both.
- Clear away from danger: high, wide and long, and only into the middle if it is a clean catch.
- Keeper: decide early and loudly ('keeper!' / 'away!') and punch through traffic.
Common mistakes3
- Defenders ball-watching and losing the runner behind them.
- Short clearances to the edge of the box that drop to the second wave of attackers.
- Keeper coming late and getting stuck in no man's land.
Variations3
- Crosses from one side only to work on the block shifting.
- Double point if the clearance reaches a target with a header.
- Crossers on one touch to speed up the delivery.
Progressions2
- Allow crossers and defenders to move in and out of the box to make it more realistic.
- 6v6 game in 40x60 m with four wide floaters: goals only count from crosses.
Regressions2
- Passive opposition in the box in the first rounds.
- Reduce to 3v3 inside the box to give more space to mark.
Tips
- Use soft or smaller balls if the group has not yet mastered heading.
- Set out cones for the rotation so team changes are fast and need no explanation.