Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Week 3- Session 2- Final Third and Finishing

Shooting Drill

Key Factors

The key focus on this drill is repetitive shooting while the focus should be on coaching effective and clinical finishing. The drill will have a variety of progressions that will test a number of different finishing options.

Organisation

Use the same square as the previous drill and split the players into 2 teams.

Set the players as seen in the animation, with a line of players at the base of the square in their teams, one player from each team in the middle and one player from each team on the cone opposite the rest of their team mates. The goalkeeper will be in goal and if there are 2 goalkeepers have one working for each team (saving from the same team each time).

In the first progression, the focus will be on long range shooting. The teams will take it in turns, the player at the base of the square plays a passinto the middle player, the middle player opens up and plays the ball to the player at the top of the square, this player lays the ball back to the middle player who shoots first time.

The base player becomes the player at the top of the sqaure, the player at the top becomes the shooter and the shooter gathers the ball and re-joins the back of the que.

After a set amount of time, swap the sides over so the players experience shooting with both feet from both sides.

Keep the score between the two teams to make competitive.

Progression

To progress this drill, the players will complete the same inital pattern, but this time when the ball gets to the top of the square, this player will pick the ball up and throw it towards the central player to striker a volley or half volley, the ball can bounce twice.

After a set amount of time, swap the sides over so the players experience shooting with both feet from both sides.

Add the scores to that of the previous drill.

Close Range Finishing

Key Factors

The focus of this drill is to once again build on the work of the previous drill but in this instance add more pressure to the player in possession and force the players into decision making situations and the need to work and move to creat goal socring opportunites.

Decision making and a positive attitude to shoot are key aspects of this drill.

Organisation

Use the 18 yard area as a guide or the equivelent of. This will create an area roughly 35/40 yards wide and 18 yards in depth.

Use the same teams as the previous drill with a goalkeeper in goal (if two rotate after each game).

Two players from each team start inside the area and around the outside of the area the remaining players spread out, positioning themselves every other (see animation).

The two players in the middle will compete against each other to try and score, they can use the outside players on their team for wall passes and support. There is any finish allowed. If the ball goes in or goes out the goalkeeper re-starts the session by playing to any outside player.

If, for example a blue player shoots and the keeper saves, a red player cannot simply score the rebound, they must first combine with an outside player before being able to score.

Players on the outside are on two toches maximum but they can also score with a first time shot if the opporinity presents itself, this is where key decision making is important.

Play for 2 minutes with the winners getting a point for their team.