Pass, Spin and Cross

Field size: half field or sixty yard area

Number of players: full team

Age range: 14-16

Description: Move one goal to half field and work in this area, about sixty yards in length and sixty yards wide. One line of players passes the ball to a player on the wing who lays the ball back and spins to make a run down the line where he or she receives the return pass and then crosses to two players making near and far post runs. 

The players who are playing the ball down the line from the wing position should cut the ball inside to create a passing lane down the line or chip the ball over the player’s head – this is the pass to the crosser.

Overall, the crosser needs to pick out a player and not just whip in a cross blindly. The final cross can be on the ground or in the air. If the player serves the ball in early then it’s in the air. If it’s on the ground then the player drives the ball to the end line and cuts the ball back. 

Vary the passes and crosses in this drill: have players try chipping the ball down the line to the crosser and have the crosser play the ball in the air and on the ground.  Again, crosser should pick someone out and not just hit the ball in blindly. 

Players rotate into each position. The pattern here is a wide player plays the ball into the feet of a winger, who lays the ball back, and then turns to receive the ball again and finally picks out a forward with a cross.

As a coach, feel free to adjust the pattern, perhaps the crosser plays the ball in early and plays a one two with one of the forwards who lays the ball down the line and then the crosser passes the ball to the other foward. If it helps, walk through some of these passing patterns before you go at full speed.

Equipment needed: Cones and practice vests.