Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Striking the ball - Progressive Finishing practice

Practice start - striking the ball without pressure

Practice Objective:

• Practice designed around the core skill of striking the ball, progressing from unopposed isolated skill practice, to combination play, to a 2v1 scenario
• Invert the practice after 3 rotations, so they start at Station C to allow opportunities with different angles and both feet.

Set Up

• 1 bag of balls
• 3 cones - stations for players to start from
• 1 goal
• Set area to simulate penalty box, or equivalent depending on age group

Practice Explanation:

• Set up as shown, with players divided equally between station A,B and C, with a GK.
• Start from station A - Player A runs with the ball and strikes at goal.
• He then turns, ready to receive for Progression 1.

Coaching Points;

• RWB technique with good touch to allow the strike
  
• Striking the ball - inside of foot, instep, power - low or high?
• Left or right foot - do players need to adapt their body shape to take on their favoured side? Encourage them to strike with weaker foot, or, for example, they are starting o the left and want to use their right foot - open their body up and aim for the far corner.

Progression 2 - 2v1

Practice Explanation;

• 2v1 with all three players active

Coaching Points;

• Defender to delay, the attack and try and try and force them wide. Look for body shape - down low, knees bent - surfboard technique
• Attacking players - can we look to use the decoy or play a 1-2, or use some individual skill in a 1v1 scenario
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