Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Finishing - Technique of Striking w/ Laces

Technical Finishing

Generally when finishing, there are two rules of thumb.

1) When going for power, we want to use our laces so that we can get a solid strike on the ball. The reason for this is that the top of your foot is the biggest hardest surface (specifically above the first metatarsal which makes your big toe) and when you strike that through the middle of the ball using the other body mechanics then you will be able to make a good, clean, and powerful strike on the ball.

2) When trying for accuracy and placement we should use the inside of our foot as if we were passing the ball into the goal.

Obviously out of these two skills we need correct body mechanics like foot placement and the way in which our body is facing specifically our hips as we make contact, and the timing of our foot swinging through the ball. This session is about striking with the laces so we will focus on that

As a warm-up we look at an opportunity for players to take a touch and control their own shot.

Here players will start on one of the red cones, will take a touch into the danger (marked out by blue cones) and must have a strike with their laces trying to get the ball on frame. Here is what we need to focus on.

1) Locking the ankle out by pointing the toe down towards the ground

2) Keeping hips pointed at target

3) Make sure that plant foot is even with the ball and only slightly to the side of it. (If standing hip width apart the ball should take the place of one of your feet)

4) When driving foot through the ball make contact in the exact middle of the ball (get underneath it and the ball goes up, get to the side of it and you might miss the target)

5) Need to follow through by driving the knee into the chest and should be going forward

This is a competition, 1 pt is scored for a ball going into the goal that hits the net in the air. 3 pts are scored for a ball that hits the net in the air, but goes into the corners inbetween the post and the pole added there.

Games should last about 2 or 3 minutes depending on numbers so now we have pressure added because of the time constraint.

SSG

This game is played in a space of about 20 to 25 yards which is roughly the size of 2 penalty areas.

- The game is played with no restrictions, but the size of the grid encourages the players to take many chances on goal.

- The games need to be played at a high tempo with space so split the team into 3 groups of 4 one team will rest. This game can also be played with goalkeepers, in that event you can adapt the numbers however is best.

- The second part of the high tempo is the time of the games. If the games are 3 groups of 4 then the games can be 3 minutes and just rotate one team every time. If not, then play 3 minute games with a 2 minute rest period.