Two strikers, three shots: mannequin, lay-off and cross
Finishing circuit from three linked sources: a feint past the mannequin and a central shot, a back-to-goal lay-off for the partner's shot and a wide cross attacked at the near and far posts.
Step 1Regate al maniquí y tiro
1 / 3
El 1 conduce, amaga en el maniquí y tira.
Objective
Chain three types of finish within a few seconds (shot after a feint, shot after a lay-off and finishing a cross) while keeping technical quality under fatigue.
Organisation
One mannequin on the tip of the D and another in line with it, level with the left corner of the penalty box. Three cones with balls: cone 1 central 25-30 m out, cone 2 on the left at the same height and cone 3 on the right wing. One player on each cone; keeper in goal.
Development
- 1Player 1 dribbles from the central cone at the mannequin on the D, feints one way, takes the ball the other way and shoots.
- 2Without stopping, player 1 runs towards the second mannequin (left corner of the box) and receives player 2's pass with his back to goal.
- 3Player 2 follows his pass and appears to the right of the mannequin; player 1 lays the ball off first time and player 2 shoots without a control.
- 4Both immediately attack the box: player 3 dribbles down the right wing to near the byline and crosses.
- 5Player 1 attacks the near post and player 2 the far post; whoever meets the cross finishes first time.
- 6Rotation: 1 moves to cone 2, 2 to cone 3 and 3 to cone 1. Switch the side of the circuit every 5 minutes to reverse feet and posts.
Coaching points4
- On the feint at the mannequin, sell it with the body and take a long exit touch so the shot comes on the next stride.
- The back-to-goal lay-off uses the foot furthest from the mannequin and goes to the partner's shooting foot.
- The runs onto the cross cross over: near post first, far post delayed, never both to the same spot.
- After every shot, look at the keeper and react to the rebound before moving to the next action.
Common mistakes3
- Player 1 stops after the first shot and arrives late for the lay-off.
- A lay-off that is too firm or goes backwards and forces player 2 to control.
- Both finishers arrive early in the box and wait for the cross standing still.
Variations3
- Player 3's cross can be low to the near post, high to the far post or pulled back to the penalty spot depending on the crosser's shape.
- Player 1 shoots first time from a pass by player 2 instead of dribbling.
- The keeper decides which post to cover so the crosser has to read and choose.
Progressions2
- A defender in the box contests the cross against the two finishers.
- An active defender instead of the mannequin on the D for the first move.
Regressions2
- No mannequins: shot after a free dribble and an unopposed lay-off.
- Cross from the edge of the box instead of the byline, shorter and easier to finish.
Tips
- A ball on every cone before starting: the circuit only works if nobody waits for a ball.
- Time the full sequence and compete in pairs: three actions in under 20 seconds.