Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): SF Strikers - Shooting

(Technical - Unopposed) - Technique to Shoot (15 mins)

Diagram Description:

• In 3s - on shout of go they all run up to their ball and shoot at goal, once they have finished they quickly collect the ball and join back of a new line - encourage to work both feet during the process.

Technique:

• stationary ball
• angle of approach
• plant non kicking foot
• head and knee over ball
• arms up and out for balance
• ankle lock toe down
• laces strike through ball
• control body during contact
• strike through follow through (step past where ball was positioned)

Progression:

• Take a touch - touch ball forward so it is rolling to make it a more realistic exercise -  "How often do you hit a dead ball?"

Technical (Unopposed) - Quick Strike Finishing (20 mins)

Set-Up:

• 4 cones, 1 ball per player (except line D)
• 3 lines of players with 1 player on the edge of the 18 yard box

Diagram Description:

• Player A plays the ball forward (does not go into the 18 yard box with his touch forward) and then takes a strike on net.
• Player B plays the ball to player A who sets for player B to take a strike on net.
• Player A after they play the set overlap player D
• Player C plays a pass to player D who takes their first touch to the middle of the field and then plays the ball into the corner for overlapping player A who then looks for a cross.
• Player C will make a run near post, Player B will curl their run behind player C and go far post and Player D after the ball into the corner will slide to the top of the box.
• Player A will now look for 1 of the 3 options for a finish.

Once complete, each player brings a ball back to go to the end of a cue except for player A. The player who crosses (in this example player A) would then take up the edge of the 18 yard box.

Since A moved to D, B moves to A line, C moves to B line and D moves to the C line.

Coaching points

- eye up to see the keeper and target then eyes to ball for a proper strike

- after first shot happens, follow the shot for a step or 2 to then check back to the ball from the 2nd shooter

- after the set is made, quickly overlap the wide player

- player C ball to player D is a switch of the pitch in the attacking third (pace, type of ball, driven or lobbed?)

- player on the edge of the 18 must picture receiving this switching ball, the defender is likely goal side and closing out so first touch into the middle of the field towards the net will slow that close down and thus open up the overlapping option

- curled run from the overlapper so they can get their hips squared to their target on their cross.

- crosser must picture in their head, low ball near post, drive ball through the 6, chip back post, set to the top of the box

- the 2 players making runs into the box must think about the timing of their runs, communicate near and far post and stagger their runs so that they don't approach the cross flat

Technical (Unopposed) - Lightning ⚡ (30 mins)

Players line up behind the cone, one player in net. Coach has all the balls next to the net. 

1. Coach plays the ball in and player takes a shot first time.

2. If the player scores they go to the back of the line and the keeper is out (waits behind the net). If the player misses the target or the keeper saves, that player is now in net.

3. The game continues until there is one player remaining. When a player is out and waiting behind the net, they can catch the ball off a missed shot to get back in (can't hit the ground).

* As soon as the players understand the game, pick up the pace.

* If the ball hits the crossbar, everyone is back in.

* Have players who are out collect balls to get back in ex. "Bring me three balls and you're back in!"

SSG - King Louis (25 mins)

King Louis

2 teams in 2 18 yard box's attached. Play 5 vs 2 with the 5 having 2 touches max and the 2 having unlimitted. The 5 cannot cross into the other grid, nor can the 2. No goalie but players can go in the net and stop the shots without their hands.

Goal is to create scoring chances from the 18 with combination plays either with each other or going to their strikers to get set passes. They can of course look to play their strikers in for opportunities as well.

Coaching Points

spacing depth and width in the 18 to keep possession and set up lanes to shoot

speed of play

communication for set passes

SSG - Quick Shooting (25 mins)

Set-Up:

• 2 goals
• 6 cones
• 1 ball + balls next to the goal
• pinnies for 1 team + neutral bumper players

Diagram Description:

• 6 v 6 Quick shooting game - have bumper players (neutral) outside the diamond if you want to include the whole group 
• Diamond shape so it encourage and produces more shooting opportunities.

• Can we get shots off quickly? - may want to limit touches to make more realistic.
• Working on movement, creating angles and ability to strike quickly under pressure.
• If we cant shoot can we play quickly to teammate so they can shoot.
• Rebounds and reactions of teammates when shot is struck ie. get the rebound, back post, etc.
• Skill moves to get a yard of space to shoot. 
• Use proper technique when striking the ball (power? finesse?)

Conditions:

• Bumper players on touch limit 
• 1st time goal counts as 2 goals
• Least favorite foot finish counts as 2 goals