So if we take the great and exciting situation of cross ball circumstances it's pretty obvious we would have difficulty in cultivating the appropriate skills in say, 7-year olds.  Understandably, their perspective of the game is vertical and not lateral. 

"Let's get the ball forward and in the net!" 

Why would they go the long route to score? 

If you look at our 4 vs. 4 game with goalkeepers and neutral "windows" this will help the process of thinking about playing the ball wide. 

Here is the set up for Fab Fours with Windows.

• Game is played in area 25 x 35 yards
• Goals are 4 yards wide and 5 feet high (corner flag height)
• 3 teams of four players
• Goalkeeper may use hands only within six-yard area.
• Rotate goalkeepers on an equal-time basis.
• The "windows" on the outside  of the field play with the team in possession.
• The "windows" come on to the field when a goal is scored or at the discretion of the coach - of no goals are scored.
• It is in the interests of the "windows" to help score a goal as they then come on to the field at the expense ofthe team that is scored on.
• Therefore encourage the "windows" to play low balls from the outside to the central area in front of the goals - the beginnings of the cross ball.

So the first practice could be used as early as 7 years of age and moderated and progressed through their years. 

In the next practice, the Medium Mixed Bag, we are moving into more "formal" attacks from the flanks with a neutral crosser or two on each outside channel.  2 strikers vs. one defender and a goalkeeper produce the classic near and far post runs.   

This practice would be suitable for players from age 9 or 10 and can once more be progressed in terms of numbers and difficulties from there on in.  At this age it would be important to rotate the players so that most, if not all, get experience in different roles and situations. 

Finally after developing the Medium Mixed Bag in field size and numbers we could arrive at the "full" Mixed Bag that we've shown in an earlier newsletter. 

The Mixed Bag practice can be modified and progressed in many ways - including the introduction of 2 vs. 1 in the channels.  This is the "stuff" of the game - crossing, shooting, headed clearances, great saves.  If players don't enjoy this they shouldn't be playing.