Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Shooting/Finishing

Shooting 1

Organization:

1. 30 x 20 yard area as shown

2. Central zone 10 x 20, across the field

3. Two goals (if full size, use GK’s)

4. Two teams of equal number

5. 1 ball per player

Instructions:

1. Players are numbered in their own team (1 through 3 in the diagram)

2. Players dribble their ball inside central zone

3. The Coach calls out a number, the two players with that number, exchange soccer balls with a pass

4. Players then dribble to opposite goals to shoot

5. Score point if ball goes in goal

6. The shooter then retrieve their ball and re-enters the central zone

7. Coach continues to call out numbers, play for set period of time

Coaching Points:

1. Awareness of opposite number

2. Move out of central zone in as few touches as possible

3. Shoot on goal as soon as ball is out of central zone

4. Head up to observe location of goal

5. Head down at point of contact

6. Bod weight forward, chest down

Progressions:

1. P – Add goalkeepers in each goal

2. P – The first player to score is awarded the point

3. P – Add a defender in front of each goal

Shooting 3

Organization:

1. Penalty area, set up as shown

2. 20 x 20 shooting area, set up as shown

3. 1 goal

4. 1 ball per player

Instructions:

1. The game is called ‘Lightning Soccer’

2. One player starts in the goal

3. The first player in line dribbles out through the second set of cones and shoots their ball

4. As soon as they shoot they instantly run into the goal to become the next goalkeeper

5. The next player can go as soon as the shot is taken

6. If the shooter scores they are safe – no matter if the next player scores

7. If the shooter misses they must save the next shot to stay in the game (or if the shot goes wide/over)

8. If the shooter misses and the next person scores they are out of the game and become ball collectors

9. Last player in the game is the winner

Coaching Points:

1. Head up to observe the position of the goalkeeper

2. Head down at point of contact

3. Body weight forward, chest down

4. Ankle locked, toe down

5. Chip the new goalkeeper if they are slow to take up their position

Progressions:

1. P – Players must shoot from outside the penalty area

2. R – Allow player three lives before they are out