Practice Games: "Kick A Crossed Ball Game" * * * *

SOCCER PRACTICE GAMES

"Kick A Crossed Ball Game™" * * * *
(Timing kicks, U-10 & up)
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Two skills that require practice to learn are kicking a ball coming from the side (e.g., a crossed ball) and kicking a moving ball sideways. The "Kick A Crossed Ball Game" and "Run To The Ball & Shoot With Side Of Foot" games are easy to set up and are time-efficient. If you wish, you can run them as drills or make them games by having players keep score. If you have more than 6 players, consider setting up 2 goals so there is less standing around.

Objective:
Practice timing the run and how to kick a crossed ball.

Set-up:

Ideally, a net or backstop to kick into. If no goal, put two cones 8 steps apart.

Players line up 15-20 steps in front of the goal.

Coach places all the balls 10-15 steps to one side, about 5-10 steps out from the goal.

Kick A Crossed Ball Diagram

The Game:

Coach shouts "Go" and rolls or passes the ball straight across (parallel to the goal), like a soft crossing pass.

On "Go", the first player in line starts his run forward to intercept the ball. (Tell players to start fast, taking long steps and as they reach the point of interception to take shorter steps).

The player takes a short backswing and kicks the ball into the net. (Tell them to keep their head down, eyes on the ball, and to start out by blocking the ball using the inside of the foot. As they improve, they can try for more power, although much of their power should come from their forward momentum).

After a while, stop saying "Go" and make the players watch the ball and start their run when it is passed.

The Shooter either runs to retrieve the ball or goes to the back of the line.

Scoring:
One point for each successful run & contact and 2 points for each goal.

Advanced Progression:
Coach moves closer to the line of players (within 5 steps) & tosses the ball so it lands a few steps in front of the first player in line who should run onto the ball and volley it into the goal (ideally, strike it before it hits the ground, but if that isn't possible, strike it on the first bounce).

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Objective:	Practice timing the run and how to kick a crossed ball.
Set-up:	Ideally, a net or backstop to kick into. If no goal, put two cones 8 steps apart. Players line up 15-20 steps in front of the goal. Coach places all the balls 10-15 steps to one side, about 5-10 steps out from the goal.

The Game:	Coach shouts "Go" and rolls or passes the ball straight across (parallel to the goal), like a soft crossing pass. On "Go", the first player in line starts his run forward to intercept the ball. (Tell players to start fast, taking long steps and as they reach the point of interception to take shorter steps). The player takes a short backswing and kicks the ball into the net. (Tell them to keep their head down, eyes on the ball, and to start out by blocking the ball using the inside of the foot. As they improve, they can try for more power, although much of their power should come from their forward momentum). After a while, stop saying "Go" and make the players watch the ball and start their run when it is passed. The Shooter either runs to retrieve the ball or goes to the back of the line.
Scoring:	One point for each successful run & contact and 2 points for each goal.
Advanced Progression:	Coach moves closer to the line of players (within 5 steps) & tosses the ball so it lands a few steps in front of the first player in line who should run onto the ball and volley it into the goal (ideally, strike it before it hits the ground, but if that isn't possible, strike it on the first bounce).