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LOGINBuild soccer players confidence to shoot at goal
If your attackers are shy when they get the ball in front of goal and either just kick in hope in the vague direction of goal or try and pass it away quickly they need a boost in confidence.
If your attackers are shy when they get the ball in front of goal and either just kick in hope in the vague direction of goal or try and pass it away quickly they need a boost in confidence. This three-goal game is fantastic for giving every player in your team a chance to run at goal or shoot cleverly into the corners when they approach the goal at an angle. Can they switch feet to fool the goalkeeper? Can they get into a better position to shoot? Can they win the 1v1s to set themselves up with a chance? Find out with this session:
How to set it up: Play 3v3, in a 30-yard square area. There are three goals, two in each of the corners and one placed on the opposite side in the middle. One player from each team acts as goalkeeper. Getting started:
- The practice starts with one player from each team attacking the goal to their left – unopposed dribbling and shooting in turn.
- Players must concentrate on controlling the ball and approaching each goal at an angle.
- At the end of each attack, the attackers move clockwise around the playing area, ready to attack the next goal. Goalkeepers remain where they are.
- To advance this, add defenders to the practice so your attackers have an additional obstacle.
- Make sure you rotate players so that everyone gets a chance in each position.
- You can also switch play by attacking each goal from the right-hand side.
The key elements:
- The focus is on individual skills such as dribbling, shooting and 1v1 attacking and defending.
- Highlight those players who are using good technique and creating space.
- Don’t be afraid to stop the game, pointing out to your players what they are doing right and wrong in terms of technique and positioning.
Why this works:
Play is centred on a tight area that represents the compacted nature of the midfield so players are forced to make quick and efficient decisions in attack and defence. Rather than undertake an exercise that encourages a player to pass, this is a great move whereby taking on an opponent can be shown to have a much more dynamic effect on the game, something that is good for players to recognise in a match situation.
This session originally appeared in Soccer Coach Weekly.
Dave Clarke
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