Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Finishing Around the Box

1 V 1 to goal (20 mins)

Organization:

This practice challenges players to use various touches to make use of space and create shooting opportunities. The rough dimensions of the playing area is the size of the 18-yard box, though it can be adjusted according to the age group. If a goalkeeper is available, use them in goal consistently.

Instructions:

This is a 1v1 practice, focusing on beating defenders and having a shot in high-pressure scenarios. The practice begins with Player A, who plays diagonally to the attacker (Player B), as shown in the diagram. As the ball travels the defender (Player C) becomes live and closes down the attacker. The passer (Player A) then moves across to play as a goalkeeper. The attacker (B) aims to beat the defender and finish into the goal. If Player C wins possession back, they drive to score into the goal at the opposite end. Play ends with an attempt on goal at either end or if the ball leaves the playing area, after which the players rotate roles. Attacker becomes passer, passer becomes defender, defender becomes attacker in the order B-A-C-B.

Coaching Points/Questions:

• SHIFT AND SHOOT

  When in a 1v1 scenario near to goal, encourage players to be brave in taking on the defender and creating space to shoot. Once the attacker has the defender off balance, a longer touch diagonally forward or sideways can be used to make time to get a shot off. The keywords ‘shift and shoot’ can be used to encourage this.

  • TOUCHES TO SHOOT

    The defender is always going to approach from the same direction (until progressions are used), so consider how body shape and direction of touches can increase the chance of success. Encourage the first touch to attract the defender towards the ball before a mix of small, angled touches to put them off balance. The final touch needs to be forward to allow for greater power when shooting, although sideways touches can be worked on as players improve. Diagonal touches can also be useful at this level of development.

  INTENSITY

  Keep the intensity up to develop players’ physical capabilities as well as technical. The aim is to repeat the practice continuously for a short period of time. If you do want the intensity to be lower, manage the time between reps as you see fit.

  Regressions/Progressions:

   Progress by adjusting the type of service to attacker.

  Progress again by adjusting the starting positions of attacker, defender and passer.

Conditioned game

Organization:

• A small-sided game that gives the players the opportunity to practice finishing skills in a random environment.

Instructions:

• This is a three-team small-sided game, with one team acting as target players or wingers standing outside the playing grid. In this case, this is Team C.

• Make the pitch smaller than usual so there are more opportunities to shoot.

• Play with teams of no more than four.

• Goals can be scored from anywhere and by any player inside the playing grid (not Team C).

• Play short games (maximum four minutes), so intensity is high and the drive to win does not drop

Coaching Points/Questions: 

SHOT SELECTION

As with any game situation, there are many variables that can affect the players' decision making. Praise good decisions on finishing, such as type of shot, where it's taken from, or how the chance to shoot was created.

Consider how the conditions you inplement on the game will affect the number of shots taken and what type of shot is being used. As an example, giving more points for a first time finish  will encourage more of this type of shot.

• REVISIT PRINCIPLES

Reinforce the need for the players to set themselves before shooting, to vary their touches to move defenders and put them off balance and to attempt various types of  finishes.

• COACH RECOGNITION

Allow the players the opportunity to play and do not stop the game. Focus the majority of your praise on shooting and finishing. Encourage players to take risks and try different types of shot. The focus is on attacking, so players may forego their defensive duties. Allow them to focus on trying to score goals.

 Be aware of how your negative and positive messages may affect wether players try new things in the future.

Regressions/Progressions:

• • Progress by adjusting the type of goal that can be scored. For example, a first-time finish after a pass from

    a Team C player, a volley, etc.

  • Progress again by adjusting the positioning of Team C players to bring about different types of finishes, for example, from crosses.