Warm up: The shooting range

WHY USE IT

This drill is great for repeated shots on goal. It encourages showing to the ball and communicating (verbally and observationally) to create shots. It can accommodate a variety of skill levels and encourages players to refine their shooting unopposed.

SET UP

Set up with two gates outside of penalty box.

HOW TO PLAY

Player 1 starts outside the penalty area. Player 2 starts around the penalty spot, tracking back towards the cones each time. Player 1 calls a cone colour and player 2 sprints to it, receives pass and plays a 1-2 with Player 1. Player 2 calls either “feet” or “through” while Player 1 attempts to read body language to make a pass to either the feet of, or through to, Player 2 (through near, middle or far gates depending on body position). Player 2 shoots.

Progression: Goalkeeper can become a passive defender to add pressure.

COACHING POINTS

Movement: Can you lose a defender and create space? Change of pace. First touch to set a good shooting position.

Awareness: Checking shoulders and looking for space to play into.

Body shape: Get over the ball, strike through laces, square hips to goal with plant foot pointing to direction of shot. Follow through with shooting leg.