SoccerSpecific.com Session Plan: U8 - Crossing & Finishing - SOCA

SoccerSpecific.com Session Plan: U8 - Crossing & Finishing - Week 4
ACTIVITY #1
Set up: 44 yards wide x 36 yards long; two goals; 4 cones placed
on the intersection of the enline and 6-yard box; 4 cones at the top
corners of the penalty box; 4 cones, 2-yards apart from the top of
the 6-yard box to the top of the penalty box; 2 teams (Red &
Yellow); every player with a ball.
Instructions: Players dribble the ball diagonally from the top
corner of the penalty box to the cone at the end-line. Players
should dribble as fast as they can. Objective is to cross or serve
the ball from the endline into the middle (in front of the goal) and
attempt to knock over a cone. Players must retreive their own
soccer ball.
Coaching Points: Technical / Functional. Technical = speed
dribble and then cross the ball diagonally back into the open area.
Functional = players learning to dribble the ball in to the goal as
opposed to the corner flag. Turn into a competition = group to
knock down the most cones; or team to knock down the most
cones in 2 minutes1
ACTIVITY #2
Set up: 44 yards wide x 36 yards long; two goals; 4 cones placed
on the intersection of the enline and 6-yard box; 4 cones at the top
corners of the penalty box; 4 cones, 2-yards apart from the top of
the 6-yard box to the top of the penalty box; 2 teams (Red &
Yellow); every player with a ball.
Instructions: Same instruction as Phase 1. This time cones are
eliminated and now a teammate must make a run from the top
corner of the box into the penalty box to shoot and score. Server
should still speed dribble and look to play the ball in front of the
shoot but away from the goalkeeper. Players must retreive their
own soccer ball.
Coaching Points: Quality of the speed dribble, quality of the
preparation touch (touch before service or cross) and the quality
of the cross to a teammate. The players should enjoy crossing and
finishing. Turn into a competition; most goals in 2 minutes!
ACTIVITY #3
Set up: 44 yards wide x 36 yards long; two goals; 4 cones placed
on the intersection of the enline and 6-yard box; 4 cones at the top
corners of the penalty box; 4 cones, 2-yards apart from the top of
the 6-yard box to the top of the penalty box; 2 teams (Red &
Yellow); Place 2 attacking players at the cones at the corners of
the penalty boxes - these players cannot be covered or defended.
Play 4v4 around area. Players should want to pass the ball to
attacking players at the cones.
Instructions: Once a pass is made wide to a teammate at the
cone, the player passing must replace the player at the cone
(follow their pass). Attacking player who has received the ball
now dribbles diagonally in to goal (without pressure) to
serve/cross to teammates.
Coaching Points: Dribble with head up looking for open
teammates! Play a game to 5. Give a lot of praise for speed
dribbling and quality crosses!

SoccerSpecific.com Session Plan: U8 - Crossing & Finishing - Week 4
ACTIVITY #4
Set up: 44 yards wide x 36 yards long; two goals; 4 cones placed
on the intersection of the enline and 6-yard box; 4 cones at the top
corners of the penalty box; 4 cones, 2-yards apart from the top of
the 6-yard box to the top of the penalty box; 2 teams (Red &
Yellow); Place 2 attacking players at the cones at the corners of
the penalty boxes - these players cannot be covered or defended.
Play 4v4 around area. Players should want to pass the ball to
attacking players at the cones.
Instructions: Once a pass is made wide to a teammate at the
cone, the player passing must replace the player at the cone
(follow their pass). Attacking player who has received the ball
now dribbles diagonally in to goal (with pressure) to serve/cross
to teammates.
Coaching Points: Dribble with head up looking for open
teammates! Play a game to 5. Add pressure - server must cross
with a defender! Build confidence - be positive!
ACTIVITY #5
Set up: 44 yards wide x 36 yards long; two goals; 4 cones placed
on the intersection of the enline and 6-yard box; 4 cones at the top
corners of the penalty box; 4 cones, 2-yards apart from the top of
the 6-yard box to the top of the penalty box; 2 teams (Red &
Yellow); Place 2 attacking players at the cones at the corners of
the penalty boxes - these players cannot be covered or defended.
Play 4v4 around area. Players should want to pass the ball to
attacking players at the cones.
Instructions: Play! Add goalkeepers. Make it look like the
game by playing by the rules (throw-ins, corners, etc.)
Coaching Points: Let them play! Look for opportunities to cross
and finish! Build confidence - be positive!