Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Shooting (Start Time: 2021-10-29 10:55:00)

8v6 (15 mins)

8v6 (2 wide players)

Blues have an 8v6 overload in the central area and are trying to score into the small goal.

Reds are attacking the big goal. They can score centrally or have 2 wide players allowed in the channel who they can use to score through. The wide red players must stay in their channel but when they receive the ball can enter the central zone if they wish to. They are also allowed to make a run to the back post if their opposite winger has the ball. Teams swap over and so Reds become 8v6 centrally, blue have 2 wide players.

Progression / Regression:

Finish into small goal must be one touch if this is proving too easy.

Blue team can go into channel to defend once red player takes a touch in the channel.

(one blue can go into channel, and one extra red can, making a 2v1 overload and encouraging full back/winger combinations).

Coaching points:

Wingers. This is all about the wingers for Red. Can you use the space to drive to goal and score. Must be positive and go to goal quickly taking advantage of the space.

Can central players flood the box and make intelligent runs to get a yard of space from defenders?

Blue team can we make the most of the central overload and retain possession, working our way to the small goal. Short passes encouraged, create triangles. 

Balls in the goals. Coach stood in channel to work with winger.

18 yd box shooting game (10 mins)

It is 4v4 in the 18 yard box. Both teams shooting at the big goal.

Players can use outside players on their own team to bounce ball off or for them to cross into the box.

If team shoots and it goes wide or GK catches it, the GK then distributes the ball to a player from the opposite team on the outside, and then play resumes.

If team shoots and scores, GK gets the ball and distributes it to a player on the outside from the team that just scored.

After set working time, players swap and all outside players become inside players.

Progression/Regression:

6v6 in box, only 2 players from outside in wide positions (this encourages more crosses).

If player plays to outside player , this outside player must now step into the box and can try to score, the player who passed them the ball now becomes the outside player (this offers constant rotation, however, reduces conditioning element on players in the middle, who in the original variation should always be moving and working hard aerobically with no rest).

Coaching points:

First to react and get into the wide space usually gets the most shots.

As soon as the ball restarts be alive to this and actively anticipating.

As defenders, close down quickly, don't allow shots.

Look to place finishes, be composed.

Can we 'steal' goals by anticipating shots and poaching them.

Rebounds are very important, be alert to these and not flat footed.