Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): INDIVIDUAL - SHOOTING IN & AROUND THE BOX -

SHOOTING IN & AROUND THE BOX (15 mins)

Set Up:

- 1 x large goal

- 2 x mannequins

- 4 x cones

- 1 x player 

- 1 x coach

Timings:

Organisation:

This is a shooting practice in which the coach (C) should be positioned approximately 15 yards from the 18-yard box. The player starts just in front of a mannequin placed just outside the box.

The coach passes a ball into the player (1), who should have pulled away from the mannequin before taking a touch across it (2) and shooting into a goal (3).

Two cones are placed as shown in the diagram to highlight the corners of the goal – where the player should be aiming.

Once the player has taken that first shot, they must make a movement back towards the coach. As the player makes this movement, the coach will pass a ball through a gate made up of two flat markers (4).
The player should then run on to this pass and again shoot at goal (5).

The practice can also be completed in the opposite direction, to ensure the player is working on their shooting with both feet.

Coaching Points:

DISTANCE OF FIRST TOUCH
When the player receives the first ball from the coach, the first touch must be big enough so the ball goes beyond the mannequin. This will also open up more of the goal to aim for.

MOVEMENT IN AND AROUND THE BOX
As the player makes their movement towards the coach to receive the second ball, they should be encouraged to slow down before turning and moving explosively on to the pass.
In a game situation, this change of tempo would entice a defender in before the attacker then spins and accelerates away.

TARGET AREAS
The player should be challenged to score within the corners of the goal, which are marked out by the cones.
Finishes both across the goalkeeper and towards the near post should be encouraged.

QUICK COMBINATION PLAY
Quick combination play is crucial when attempting to make this practice game-realistic. Passes should be punched in with the correct speed and accuracy.

RECEIVING ON THE BACK FOOT
As the practice progresses to receiving a third ball in
a wide area, the player must ensure their body is open to allow them to receive the ball on the back foot and take their first touch towards goal.

SHOOTING TECHNIQUE
The coach should challenge the player to recognise whether to strike through the ball with their laces or whether to use the inside of their foot to attempt to place the ball in the corner.

Progressions:

As the practice progresses, the first two combinations and shots remain the same.

Once the player has taken their second shot, they will make a movement towards the central mannequin to complete a one-two with the coach (6).

After the one-two, the player should then make a movement to receive the next pass (7) from the coach on the outside of a second, wider mannequin.

The player should take their first touch towards goal (8) and shoot with their second (9).

Again, this practice can be delivered in the opposite direction to ensure players have the opportunity to practice shooting off both feet.

As a final progression, the coach can focus solely on the player using their weaker foot when shooting with the final ball of the practice.

The coach hones in on the importance of receiving the ball on the back foot to allow the player to then shoot with their weaker left.