Preseason High Tempo, Crossing & Finishing Drills!

Crossing and finishing drills serve two important purposes during preseason training. Firstly, they engage and motivate players by allowing them to practice scoring goals from close range. Secondly, they enhance the pace and intensity of a session, aiding the transition from general fitness to match readiness. The focus isn't solely on speed in the wide areas; these drills also emphasize the importance of players getting into the box and positioning themselves for a goal finish. This week's MSC Breakdown explores three crossing and finishing exercises that coaches can use at any level.

Below is a YouTube breakdown detailing three exercises. If you enjoy this content, please subscribe to our MSC YouTube page.

Below we also place a premium on players getting into the box and positioned for a finish on goal. In this week's MSC Breakdown, we take a look at three crossing and finishing exercises that coaches can incorporate at every level.

Below is a YouTube breakdown detailing three exercises. If you enjoy this content, please subscribe to our MSC YouTube page.

Zinedine Zidane Crossing & Finishing Exercise (Real Madrid)

• Players are organized in groups of three in both wide areas

• Ball One: 3 player combination for cross and finish into one goal

• Ball Two: Immediately after the finish, the second forward sprints to other goal and finishes from pass from a coach

• Next side goes immediately and first group recovers

Thomas Tuchel End to End Finishing Pairs

• Exercise takes place in a 25x40 yard area

• Attacking players are positioned in pairs behind both goals with wide players on each side alongside two coaches and a supply of balls

• Exercise starts when ball when one of the wide players passes to the coach and then goes for the return down the line

• At the same time, the attacking pair from the same side which the wide player started from, sprint towards the furthest goal

• As the wide player shapes up to cross, the attacking pair change their positions to lose their marker and look to score from close range

• The opposite side then goes and the exercise continues to flow

6v6+2 Crossing Game

• Exercise takes place in a 25x40 yard area

• Two 5x10 yard zones are located in each corner

• Two wide players on each team are positioned in each corner

• Players can move anywhere on the pitch, but corner players are limited to the wide zones

• One point for a regular goal

• Two points for. a goal from a cross

• Minimum of two attacking players must be in the box for the goal to stand from a cross