This session develops quick, instinctive interplay on the wing, finishing with a cross into the danger area. It helps young players to fine-tune the quality of delivery and encourages inventive combinations on the wing.

 

Set up

Use the penalty area of your pitch. We’ve used 9 players in this session. You need bibs, plenty of balls, cones and a full-size goal with a goalkeeper.

 

How to play it

Use a goalkeeper and one defender, with two attackers on the edge of the penalty area and two wingers. This is a two ball session. The first player lined up just outside the centre circle plays a ball into the two attackers who combine with a winger in front of the penalty area. The second ball is played into the two wingers who combine to play the ball down the wing and have two possible crosses – near or far post.

 

Technique

This session needs good communication and combination play from wingers and attackers – good passing and crossing is essential to make the session run at pace and attackers must be aware of covering the far and near post and making themselves available for balls into the box at angles.