Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Session 3 - Shooting from angles

Technical Practice (16 mins)

Primary Focus

Developing the technique of shooting the ball from angles. Using the proper technique, thinking of body position, angled approach, non kicking foot beside the ball, strike through with their laces and getting good accuracy and aim.

Organisation

20 x 20 box, with goals set at one side and 3 gates numbers 1-3 the opposite end or could use different colour gates.

Player Numbers

7 players including the goalkeeper, if no specific goalkeeper have players to alternate.

Timings

4 x 3 minutes with a minutes rest between blocks.

Explanation
Players set into 2 teams, 3 on each side. Players by goal will be playing a pass out to the other team alternating from gates 1-3 and also each taking it in turn to pass the ball out, receiving player then takes their shot and then moves onto the next gate to ensure their getting a shot from the 3 different angles. Alternate the feeders and strikers every 3 minute block to ensure all have equal amount of time at each station. 

Conditions
Player receiving the ball is looking to get their shot away with a minimum of 1 touch and shoot, players will be encouraged to shoot first time. Players also encouraged to shoot with their weaker foot when coming from that angle.

Progression
Increase angle and or distance they are shooting from. Only allow to shoot first time.

Regression

Allow more touches before shooting, reduce the distance they are shooting from or take away the goalkeeper to get their confidence up.

Small Sided Game (25 mins)

Primary Focus

Small sided game with challenges set to encourage the shooting practices we have done in the session leading up to this.

Organisation
5v5 game with the halfway line marked out with flats.

Area Size

35 x 25

Player Numbers 
10 players

Timings

4 x 5 minutes, with a minutes rest in-between.

Explanation

 Small sided game with appropriate pitch size for players of this age. Encourage shooting as much as possible, with conditions set in each block to help encourage this.

Conditions
Block 1 - Once in the opposition half, a shot must be attempted within 3 passes.

Block 2 - Once in the oppositions half, shot must be attempted within 6 seconds. 

Block 3 - One player from each team must stay in the attacking half, if a goal is scored with linking up to this player, its worth 2 points.

Block 4 - Free play.

Progressions

Limit touches to players, could be done to individuals or the whole team.

Regressions

Play with no goalkeepers initially for them to gain confidence.