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 improve the player’s technical ability in a variety shooting techniques with an emphasis on "1 v 1" confrontations.
Field Preparation Large group of players Area 30 x 30 yards Full Size Goals Cones or Flag poles Supply of Balls Colored Bibs
Coaching Pointers:
Divide group into two teams, then divide each team into two groups. Position a group from each team at both
goals. Place a supply of balls beside each goal post.
The practice starts when one of the players serves a ball into the center of the area. The first player on each team from the opposite side must come to the ball and challenge for possession. The object is for the player who wins
the ball to try and turn and score as quickly as possible. The defender must try to stop him. Should the defender
win the ball, the roles are then reversed.
After a shot is taken both players must sprint back to their original positions. The sequence is then continued when a player from the opposite side passes a ball into the center for the first two players on the other side of the grid.
This practice can be developed to play 2 v 2, 3 v 3 etc.
Note: Service must always be neutral. Coach should keep track of score between both teams.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
Turn as quickly as you can and confront the defender. Glance over your shoulder to see how much
space is available to turn.
Demand "realistic" defending, Go after the ball and try to win it.
The emphasis should be placed on "accuracy" and not power when shooting.
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.
Drill 2 - Survivor
Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to improve the player’s technical ability in a variety of long and close range shooting techniques with an emphasis on 1 v 1, 2 v 2, and 3 v 3 confrontations.
Field Preparation Large group of players Area 30 x 30 yards Full Size Goals Cones or Flag poles Supply of Balls Colored Bibs
Coaching Pointers:
Divide group into two teams and position each team in a goal. The coach is positioned to the side of the field with
a supply of balls.
Players in each team are designated a number 1 through 4. The practice starts when the coach serves a ball into the playing area and calls out a number. The player who's number is called come onto the field and challenges for possession. The object is for the player who wins the ball to try and score as quickly as possible. The defender must try to stop him. Should the defender win the ball, the roles are then reversed.
When the ball goes out of play or the coach calls a new number both players must sprint back to their original positions. They are not allowed to touch the ball after the numbers are changed.
Coach should keep track of goals scored and make a competition amongst the teams.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
Attack defender with a commitment. Use a change of direction and speed.
Demand "realistic" defending, Go after the ball and try to win it.
The emphasis should be placed on "accuracy" and not power when shooting.
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.
Progression:
This practice is developed by playing 2 v 2, and 3 v 3.
Drill 3 - Turn and Shoot
Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to improve the player’s technical ability in a variety of long and close range shooting techniques.
Field Preparation Large group of players Area 30 x 30 yards Full Size Goals Cones or Flag poles Supply of Balls Colored Bibs
Coaching Pointers:
Divide players into two small groups. Groups are positioned on each side of the penalty area and attack opposite goals. A receiver is positioned at a cone placed 5 yards from the second cone. The remaining players are placed at a cone with a ball each.
First player in line passes the ball to the receiver. The receiver must turn as efficiently as possible, quickly attack the penalty area and finish with a shot on goal. The second player moves to the cone and becomes the next receiver. After shot is taken the player must collect their ball, jog back to their group and join the end of the line.
Coach should keep track of goals scored and make a competition amongst players or groups.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
Attack the goal with commitment.
Use a variety of techniques to turn, outside of the foot, inside, let the ball role etc.
First touch when turning should direct the ball in the direction of the goal and out of the feet.
The emphasis should be placed on "accuracy" and not power when shooting.
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.
Progression:
Can introduce a defender in each penalty area. Can insert a target man inside the box to play a "Give and Go" off.
Drill 4 - The Shooting Race
Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to improve the player’s technical ability in a variety of shooting techniques under speed.
Field Preparation Large group of players Half Field Full Size Goals Cones or Flag poles Supply of Balls Colored Bibs
Coaching Pointers:
A group of players with a ball each are placed at opposite goals. Two goalkeepers are positioned in goal. Identify groups using colored bibs. A cone is placed in the middle of the goals. On the coaches command, the first player from each group dribbles around the cone and has to score as quickly as possible. The first player to score wins a point for their team. After shooting, players join the end of their group. The practice is then repeated by the next players in line. Coach should keep track of goals scored and make a competition amongst the teams.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
Be alert to the coaches command.
Dribble quickly.
The emphasis should be placed on accuracy and power.
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 chip, lofted, low driven and bent shot.
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.
