Gafferbook
Shooting and finishing ยท U11 to adult

Near-post finishing from crosses

Strikers attack the near post to flick or volley in low crosses. Teaches the near-post run that beats defenders to the ball.

U11 to adultAges
6 to 14 plus a keeperPlayers
Penalty areaArea
10 to 15 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

โž• Put it in tonight's session๐Ÿ—“ Build my season around itโœ๏ธ Make my own version

Set-up

  • Crossers wide near the byline; strikers 15 metres out.
  • Keeper in goal.

Equipment: Goal, cones, balls

How it works

  1. Crosser drives the ball low to the near post area.
  2. Striker attacks the near post across the defender's line.
  3. Finish with a flick, a side-foot or a volley; swap sides.

Coaching points

  • Go early and across the front of the defender.
  • Small contact: redirect the ball.
  • Keep it low.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Coach throws the cross

Make it harder

  • Add a defender at the near post

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

Questions about this drill?

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