Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Striking The Ball

Warm-Up (15 mins)

Ball Based Warm-Up

Incorporate plenty of ball touches, turning, rolls, static & dynamic stretching, and moves.

Golden Cleats (40 mins)

Organization

set out a 'central zone, equal distance from 2 goals, every player has a ball, every player gets a number, 1 through 14+. Players dribble in area, practices moves, fakes, turns & juggling. Coach yells a number, for example "Number 2!", The number shouted always shoots to the left, then the next EVEN number shoots to the right (Number 4). If coach shouts an ODD number, for example "Number 3!", number 3 would shoot left, Number 5 would shoot in the right-hand goal. Once Player leaves area, he/she has 2 touches to shoot (one 'set up' touch, one to shoot)

Coaching Points

Good touch to set

"Sneak a peek" (see GK position/where goal is)

Head and/or knee over the ball (head-down)

Toes down

follow through

land on the striking foot

Progressions/Variations

If EVEN number is called, ODD is recovering defender (must be behind attacker); For Example, if 'Number 2!' is called (Still, #2 AND #4 shoot) Number 3 (would defend #2) Number 5 (would defend #4) as the recovering defender.

Goalkeepers - Player who shot, then becomes the GK

SSG #2 (30 mins)

Small Sided Game #2

Set up field, 2 teams, 2 GK (Be sure to rotate), free play. "Let the Game be the teacher"

Keep Score:

1 Point per shot

2 points for a shot on target

3 points for a goal

Extra points for correct technique/flair/'en fugeo' (On Fire!)

Coaching Points

Psychologically, players first thought should be to shoot (All the best strikers in the World are/were selfish by nature!)

Reinforce coaching points from previous games.