Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Position Specific - Individual Finishing

Description

Session Focus:

Technical & Tactical Development in the attacking third, with emphasis on wide play, final passes, and finishing under pressure.

IDP Focus Positions:

• Wide Attacker (Winger)

• Wide Defender (Full-Back)

• Central Midfielder (CM)

• Centre-Back (CB – Not targeted in this specific block)

Individual Development Focus (Per Player):

• Jordan Evans (Wide Attacker)

  • Driving into wide areas to commit the defender

  • Executing finishing techniques under pressure

  • Emphasis on first-time finishing inside the box

• Connor Blake (Wide Defender)

  • Delivery from wide areas – quality of cross (chip to back post, cutback)

  • Timing and angle of supporting runs in possession

• Aiden Smith (Centre Midfielder)

  • Late arrivals into the box

  • Weight, angle and disguise of passes into the centre forward

  • Awareness of support positioning during attack

• Daniel Roberts (Attacker/Winger)

  • Timing of box runs to meet crosses

  • Finishing variety inside the box

  • Adjusting position for cutbacks and early deliveries

Session Objectives:

• Develop individual player outcomes aligned with positional demands in the attacking third

• Improve quality and variation of final third actions: crossing, receiving, finishing, and movement

• Encourage decision-making under game-realistic conditions

Session Organisation:

• Pitch Dimensions: 72x36 yards (Final third zone)

• Equipment:

  • 1 Full-size goal

  • 4 mannequin defenders (representing back line shape)

  • 1 bounce board (used for link play and combination setups)

  • Tactical frame/whiteboard to introduce session objectives and roles

Player Roles:

• IDP Focused Players:

  • Right-Back (RB)

  • Winger (Left & Right)

  • Central Midfielder (CM)

  • Wingers and CM focus on attacking movements and 1-2 touch finishes inside the penalty area

• Non-IDP Players:

  • Goalkeeper (GK)

  • Centre Forward (CF – used as neutral or link player)

  • All actions unopposed, ensuring technical repetition and timing of movements

Practice Structure:

• Format: 4 x 4-minute work blocks

• Rest/Reset Intervals: 90 seconds to 2 minutes between each block

• Instruction: Alternate working sides to ensure balance and variation of movement patterns

Key Detail Focus:

• Wingers:

  • Timing and angle of box entry

  • Awareness of spaces between mannequins (defenders)

  • Execution of 1-2 touch finishes (inside/outside foot, volleys, guided finishes)

• Central Midfielder:

  • Delayed box entries (arriving late)

  • Quality of layoff and finish

  • Body position to adjust quickly for different types of service

• Right-Back (RB):

  • Support positioning and recycled crosses if involved

  • Provide secondary attacking wave support when required