Tales of the unexpected

A fun shooting game with aim of setting your attackers up for the chance to hit long-range shots at goal so they can catch the opposition out.

Set up

Set up a 20x20 yard area with goals at each end. We used 12 players. You need balls, bibs, cones and goals.

How to play it

Play a 5v5 plus keepers with three players from each team in the defending half and two players in the attacking half, so it’s a 3v2 in each half.
The game starts with a pass out from the keeper to a team-mate in the same half. Players can only score from their own half but the ball must go to a team-mate in the opposition half, who sets the ball back for a shot at goal. Try to get players using a first-time shot. The size of the pitch is vital to success but don’t make it too small or it will be too easy.

Technique

Long-range shooting should be done with the laces but allow players to experiment with side-footed shots to see if they can generate enough power and accuracy to shoot that way. Ronaldo and David Luiz, for instance, have their own techniques for long-range shooting.