AGES 13 TO 14 - WEEK EIGHT

Drill 1 - Turn and Shoot

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 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 2 - Chase Me

Exercise Objectives:
This is a great shooting practice that forces the striker to attack the goal with speed.

Field Preparation
Goalkeeper
2 Even groups of 4, 5 or 6 players.
Half field
Cones
Supply of balls

Coaching Pointers:

Organisation – Two groups of players. One group positioned at a cone 45 yards from goal – runners with ball. The other group at a cone which is 5 – 8 yards back and to the side – “chasers”. Place a gate 2 yards wide, central to goal and 20 yards from goal. Coach serves the ball from the centre position.Coach plays ball into space for “running player” to run onto ball, “runner” must go through gate and finish. “chasing” player can chase him as soon as coach plays the ball and try and stop him scoring. Rotate runners to chasers after shot.

Objectives – Running quickly with ball in straight line towards goal, cutting across chasing defenders, composure
in box, finishing. Defending, goalkeeping

Progressions - 1. “Runners” must turn with ball 2. Runners must set ball and then curve run. 3. Serve bouncing
ball in front of “runners” 4. “Runners” start position wider and angle run into goal.

Drill 3 - Shoot then Defend

Exercise Objectives:
This is one of those practices that players love to do. Its high tempo, fun and develops both offensive and defensive skills. It also gives your goalkeeper a great workout.

Field Preparation
Goalkeeper
2 Even groups of 4, 5 or 6 players.
Area 20 yards x 20 yards
Cones
Supply of balls

Coaching Pointers:
Divide your team into two groups. The first player in group "A" dribbles the ball forward and shoots at goal. Immediately after shooting the ball he must defend against the first player in group "B". When the attack ends, the player from group "A" returns to his group and the player from group "B" now defends against the next player in group "A". This sequence is repeated throughout the drill.

Drill 4 - Liverpool Box Shooting Drill

Exercise Objectives:
This practice is a high tempo shooting exercise designed to improve accuracy and power. This is also an intense work out for your goalkeepers.

Field Preparation
Entire Group
Full Size Goal with Goalkeeper
Penalty Area
Cones or Flag poles
Supply of Balls

Coaching Pointers:
Two flag poles are positioned 20 yards from goal and 15 yards apart. Players are divided into four groups. Two groups with balls, stand either side of the goal. Two groups stand at each flag pole, as in the diagram above. A goalkeeper is placed in goal.

The practice starts when the first player in “group 1” passes to the first player in “group 2” and follows his pass. The player in “group 2” has only “one touch” to control the ball then he must shoot at goal. He then follows to join “group 4” on his right. The player in “group 3” passes to the first player in “group 4” then runs behind the goal to “group 1”. The player in “group 4” has only “one touch” to control the ball then he must shoot at goal. He then follows to “group 3”. In affect, each player serves twice and shoots twice, in that rotation.

Focus On:
Accuracy over Power.
Reacting to rebounds.
Goalkeepers shot stopping.

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.

Schedule

Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Week Five
Week Six
Week Seven
Week Eight
Week Nine
Week Ten
Week Eleven
Week Twelve

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