Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): SAP Session Week 16 - Striking the Ball (Shooting from Distance)

Warm up (10 mins)

Setup - 2 triangles of cones/poles. Large outside triangle 12m x12m. Small inner triangle 2m x 2m. 3/4 players at each corner on Large outside triangle. 1 player in Small inner triangle facing outside group A. First player of each outside group has a ball.

Instructions -

First outside player at group A passes to central player, then sprints to the end of group B.

Central player passes ball back to next player at group A and then turns to receive pass from first player at group B.

Repeat sequence for next 2 corner groups.

Sequence to continue for 3 mins or until all outside players have rotated through, change central player.

Change direction of movement to encourage use of both feet.

Keep tempo/intensity as high as possible.

Progressions -

Limit to 2 touches

Limit to 1 touch

Variations -

Add 2nd Central player.

Add 3rd Central player.

Turn into race (set up 2 drills) the team that completes sequence first wins

Coaching Points -

Is my body position correct?

Is my knee over the ball and my body weight moving forward?

Am I striking the ball with the correct technique?

Can I get my head up and spot my target?

Am I striking the ball with the correct weight?

What is my next action?

Where is my next action?

Mini Games (20 mins)

Setup - Create 2 mini fields 20 x 30 as above. Cones to mark half way of each mini field. 2v2, 3v3, 4v4 + joker as numbers require. Use normal goals and GK's if available. 10m Scoring Zone.

Instructions -

Play starts with GK/Coach serving the ball to Attacker (Blue)

As ball is played Defenders (Red) may move from starting area inside Scoring Zone to pressure attackers.

Attackers aim to combine to to score past the goal keeper or in the small goal.

If the defender wins the ball he can score either in the other pop up goal or by passin gthrough one of the side gates.

Scoring -

goal = 1 point. GK save = 1 point

goal scored after at least 3 completed passes = 2 points

goal score from outside Scoring Zone = 3 points

If defender wins the ball and scores a goal = 3 points also.

Swap roles after Defender wins the ball 3 times, the Attacking team scores 5 points or a set time.

Variations -

Change team numbers, 2v3, 2v2 or 1v2

Change starting points of Defenders/Attackers. i.e defenders start from beside goals or side lines, Attackers start from base line, corners or from 1 side.

Coaching Points -

Can you pre-scan for Defender and team mate?

Can you get your head up and spot your target?

Can you face forward?

Is your body shape/position correct?

Can you take your first touch towards your next action?

Can I shoot?

Is my head and knee over the ball when striking?

Is my weight moving forward when I follow through?

End game (20 mins)

Setup - normal field 30m x 40m, normal goals. 2 teams + GK's

Instructions -

Normal game rules apply.

Game is directional

Restart from the GK's.

All goals = 1 point

Variation -

Overload weaker team

Add joker/s to work with team in possession (try to create more shooting opportunities)

Introduce incentive to shoot from distance (3 points for a goal)

Coaching Points - encourage

Scan

Face forward

Play forward

Quick movement - player & ball