Finishing Deflected Crosses

Improve strikers' ability to react quickly and finish cleanly from unpredictable deflections on low crosses.

Setup: • Use the final third of a pitch with mannequins or cones acting as defenders to deflect crosses. • The drill can be performed with a minimum of two players. Adjust the sequence to work one side at a time. • Maintain the focus on the striker adjusting their movement and finishing after a deflection. Execution: • The coach or a parent delivers a low-driven cross, deliberately aiming to deflect it off the mannequins/cones. • The striker times their run into the second six-yard box, reacting to the deflection and adjusting their position accordingly. • The striker attempts to finish first-time or with one controlled touch before shooting. • After finishing the first chance, the striker quickly moves around the far-side cones/mannequin to meet and finish a second cross at the back post.