Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Passing Combinations

Combination pattern 1

Drill Objective:

This soccer shooting and finishing drill focuses on combination play and build-up before getting the shot off. It is a great shooting soccer drill to focus on burying the ball with a shot after a small combination play.

Drill Setup:

With two goals facing each other about 30 yards apart, place a goalkeeper in each goal. Set three flags at midfield on the left, center, and right sides of the field. On the left and right flags, place a cone 5 yards past the flags and set a player at each of these cones. Two players should start at the center flag, one player for each side of the drill. The remaining players should start along the endline with a ball each.

Drill Instructions:

A. Player 1 plays a ball into player 2. Player 2 checks to the ball and plays it back to player 1. Player 1 plays the ball into player 3. Player 3 lays off a ball to player 2. Player 2 has a timed run around the flag and shoots 1st time on goal. All players rotate forward one position (Player 1 becomes Player 2, Player 2 Becomes Player 3, Player 3 shags the ball).

Drill Coaching Points:

•Good solid passes, play in 1 touch if possible.

•Good timed movement and runs (don't get there too early).

•Player prepping the touch for the shooter should simply lay the ball off for a good 1 time shot.

•Good shooting form leaning forward through the ball, and landing on the kicking foot.

Drill Variations

B. 1 plays a double with 2. 2 finds 3. 3 plays it wide for a cross by 2 for 3.

Add a defender behind 2.

Add a defender behind 3.

Finishing

Drill Setup:

1.Place a goalkeeper in the goal.

2.Set a winger player on either side of the field.

3.Place a target player near the top of the penalty area.

4.About 35 yards out, line-up 5-6 cones about 1 yard apart.

5.The remaining players should form a line (with soccer balls) behind the line of cones.

Drill Instructions:

1.The first player in the line passes a ball outside to the winger player and quickly weaves in and out of the cones or training sticks.

2.At the same time, the winger player plays a ball to the target player who lays the ball off to the first player as they come out of the cones.

3.The first player should attempt a first-time shot on goal, if possible.

4.As the shooter finishes their shot, they move to the right or left winger position to receive a pass from the next player in line.

5.The former winger player becomes the target and the previous target player shags the ball from the last shooter and gets in line.