Warm Up:
Refer to the “Warm Up” section for a variety of fun warm up activities for your team. Use a combination of exercises “with” and “without” the ball. Relate the warm up to the skill of the day. Be creative, energetic, and make the
warm-up a fun start to the practice session.
Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to introduce the novice player to the correct mechanics when shooting the ball.
Field Preparation 2 Players Area 10 x 10 yards Cones 1 Ball
Coaching Pointers: Two players are positioned in a grid 10 yards by 10 yards. One player is the goalkeeper, the second a receiver.
The goalkeeper stands in between the two cones and rolls the ball towards the receiver. The receiver steps towards the ball and shoots the ball at the goal. After shooting the ball, the receiver must return to the starting position.
Both players should alternate roles.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
Remember to keep the head steady and eyes fixed firmly on the ball.
Approach the ball at a slight angle. This will assist the natural swinging motion of the kicking leg.
The last stride to the ball should be the longest stride.
The non-kicking foot should be placed along side and slightly in front of the ball.
Contact on the ball with the kicking foot should be made through the horizontal mid-line of the ball.
The kicking foot should be fully extended down and the ball should be struck with the laces of the shoe.
The follow through should be made through the center of the ball and continue in the direction of the goal.
Drill 2 - Shooting Basics 2
Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to introduce the novice player to the correct mechanics when shooting the ball.
Field Preparation 2 Players Area 10 x 10 yards Cones 1 Ball
Coaching Pointers: Two players are positioned in a grid 10 yards by 20 yards. One player is the server, the second a receiver.
The players start the practice at one end of the grid. The server stands approximately 2 yards from the receiver
and rolls the ball towards the receiver. The receiver steps towards the ball and shoots the ball back to the server’s hands. The server then retreats 2 yards and repeats the service. This is done until both players reach the opposite side of the grid, then both players change roles.
Drill 3 - Keeping the Shot Low
Exercise Objectives: This is a great exercise to reinforce the importance of keeping the ball low when shooting.
Field Preparation 2 Players per ball Area 40 x 40 yards Cones
Coaching Pointers:
Divide your group into pairs. Partners stand approximately 6 yards apart. One player is the server and the other the receiver.
The server rolls the ball for their partner to kick back to them “first time”. The server catches the ball and retreats backwards a few yards and repeats the drills. The object is for the players to work their way across the width of the square then alternate roles.
Drill 4 - Dribble and Shoot
Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to improve the player’s technical ability in a variety of shooting techniques and emphasizes a change of speed and direction.
Field Preparation Large group of players Penalty Area Full Size Goals Cones or Flag poles Supply of Balls Colored Bibs
Coaching Pointers:
A small group of players are placed at the side of each goal. Players have a ball each. First player in each group dribbles the ball towards the cone. At the cone the player performs a dribbling move (using the pole as an imaginary defender. The player then quickly attacks the penalty area and finishes with a shot on goal.
After the attack is finished, players jog behind the goal and join the group at the opposite side.
Coach should keep track of goals scored and make a competition amongst the players.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
The emphasis should be placed on "accuracy" and not power. Shoot for the back post, rather than near
post.
Use a variety of moves such as the scissors, step over, head fakes, dipping the shoulder etc.
Players should demonstrate a noticeable change of pace after performing a dribbling move.
Anticipate rebounds off the goalkeeper.
Remember to keep the head steady and eyes fixed firmly on the ball.
Encourage players to use a variety of shooting techniques such as the low driven shot, the chip shot, the lofted
shot and bent shot etc.
Small-Sided Game (with goalkeepers)
Exercise Objectives: Finish with small sided game 6 v 6, 7 v 7 (with Goalkeepers). The practice should be concluded with a small-sided game reinforcing the coaching points from your drills.
Field Preparation Entire Group (split into two equal teams) Area 40 x 60 yards Use Small Goals, Cones or Flag poles Supply of Balls Colored Bibs
Coaching Pointers:
Divide the players into two equal teams with goalkeepers.
Each field should be approximately 40 yards x 60 yards.
Use corner flags or cones as goals.
Total time, 20-30 minutes.
At the end of your session, review all coaching points made during the practice.
Record Score:
Team 1_________________ v Team 2 _________________
At the end of your session, review all coaching points made during the practice.
