Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U12 Technical Session: Shooting (2)

Shooting Drill (20 mins)

Organisation:

7-9 players - including a player to play in goal.

Set out cones as above. Initially work players from the left of the goal (so the forward shoots with his right foot) but swap after 5 minutes to the right hand side to practice shooting with left foot.

Instructions

Sequence:

Player a pass to player b

Player b pass to player c

Player c pass to player d

Player d dummies the ball to player e and player d spins to receive

Player e lays off for player d to shoot ...

Players follow the ball after passing - A to B; B to C; C to D; D to E - Player E rejoins the line.

Begin with side foot shooting:

Coaching Points

1. Approach - slightly from the side, giving enough room to make a comfortable side foot shot;

2. Body Shape - The non-kicking foot should be next to the ball with the toe pointing in the direction of the intended shot. The head should be steady with arms out to balance the player.

3. Contact - Through the centre of the ball;

4. Follow Through - this should be in the direction of the shot. The more follow through the harder the shot.

5. Look up to see the location of the goalie

Progression

1. Begin with side foot shot as above and alternate both sides after 5 minutes so players experience shooting with both feet;

2. Encourage E to follow up any rebound or goalkeeper spills;

3. GK starts in the middle of the goal - however, as E lays the ball off, GK must touch a post before trying to save the shot - to encourage player D to look up and shoot in the opposite corner of the goal;

4. Switch the type of shot - shoot with the laces following through for power;

5. Move Player C's cone back 10 yards towards the half way line - and Player E's cone back 5 yards so that Player E will be further from the GK - effect GK to place himself between the 6 yard box and the penalty spot. Aim will be for Player E to curl the ball around the GK into the goal or lob the GK. For a lob, body shape will change to that the player leans slightly back and strikes the below the centre of the ball - for a curl - striking to the right/left of centre.

Advanced Progression

Run both sides at the same time - thereby 12- 18 players at once.

Player c becomes d the shooter/dummy for opposite side

Player d becomes e the bounce/lay off player for opposite side

Player e exits on ball side and collects ball ...

NB: Once Player C receives, the sequence can start on the opposite side so as they are staggered starts and you can get good flow.

small sided activity (20 mins)

Organisation

-The small sided activity takes place in approx 30 x 20..depending on ability and age..same area as previous..

-Teams play 2 v 2 or 3 v 3 in each half - plus a GK for each team.

- Use neutral players on the sidelines - and if sufficient players, a neutral player in each half.

-the objective is for players to make a predetermined number of passes in their half (eg. 5) to encourage possession and thereafter they can look to play to a teammate in the attacking half who looks to finish.

-The player who passes can join his teammates in the attacking half to create an overload (doesn't apply to neutral players who must remain in their assigned half)

-goals scored from their own half are worth 3 points and goals in the attacking half are worth 1.

 Coaching Points

As before but also continuous s assessment of the picture and the appropriate time to penetrate. Look not only for own players, but where the opposition are, and where the space is. Communication and direction to team mates is essential.

Progressions

-touch limits

-to encourage more use of shots from distance, create an overload in the defensive half - 3v2 or even 4 v2

-make it competitive - goals coming off cross from neutrals worth 2 points.