Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): U9/10 Summer Team Practice - Session #2 (Shooting) (Start Time: 2023-05-23 17:15:00)

Quick Strike Finishing (Technical - Unopposed) (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

Lightning ⚡ (15 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!"

Technical (Unopposed) - Shooting in 3s (10 mins)

Organization:

Set up goals with tall cones that are 5 yards wide based on the number of players available. The tall cones are the posts. Place discs 1 yard inside each post. This becomes the target for your players. Players get into groups of 3 with one player on either side of the goal, 10 yards away and one goalkeeper.

Instructions:

Players take turns shooting with the laces or instep in either direction and goalkeepers attempt to stop the ball. If players score a goal between the discs, they get 1 point. If they score between the tall cone (post) and the disc, they get 5 points. Players try to keep track of their points. Every minute, rotate the goalkeeper. Players should always shoot a rolling ball; however, if they are struggling, they can start with a dead ball to work on the technique first, particularly when working on the weaker foot.

Progression:

1. Use opposite foot to shoot

Coaching Emphasis

1. Look at the goal before shooting and pick a corner.

2. Eyes on the ball

3. Strike the middle of the ball with the laces, toe pointed down to lock the ankle

4. Hips and plant foot facing where you want to aim

5. Head steady, knee over the ball

Technical/Tactical Focus:

Finishing

Psychological:

Scoring mentality

Physical focus:

Ball striking

Social/Emotional Focus:

Encouragement, enjoyment