Diagonal run and shot

Even the best defences will be breached if your forwards make diagonal runs from wide and receive a well-timed through pass.

This shooting drill will help your players perfect their timing when making diagonal runs and getting a shot at goal.

What this session is about

1. Receiving the ball, shooting quickly and accurately.
2. Scoring goals.
3. Gaining confidence to shoot with either foot.

What to think about

• The accuracy and weight of passes.
• Timing of the final pass – delay it if necessary.
• Have a quick controlling touch to set up a shot.
• The goalkeeper’s position – have they left gaps?
• Selecting the correct technique to shoot – instep, side-foot, chip, etc.
• Accuracy – ideally aim low for the corner, and across the goalkeeper.

Set-up

Use one half of a pitch. Place three cones in a line halfway between the penalty area and centre circle. Have a fourth cone on the centre circle. See top picture.

Use 8 to 12 players, including a goalkeeper.

What you get your players to do

Split the players into two groups. Half line up at the centre circle cone (passers) and the other half at the other centrally positioned cone (strikers). Each passer must have a ball.

The passer plays the ball to the striker and follows it. The striker passes back before running to their left, around the cone and diagonally towards goal. The passer again plays the ball to the striker, who controls it and shoots with their second touch. Both players then join the other’s line.

Make sure the strikers alternate their runs to the left and right, and use their weaker foot.

The striker returns a pass, runs around a cone and receives another pass before shooting.

Development

The most recent player to join the strikers becomes a defender, applying pressure but not tackling. The striker still only has two touches. After carrying out the defensive role, the defender returns to the strikers’ line.

The addition of a defender makes the striker control and shoot quickly.

Game situation

Create a 75 yards by 50 yards pitch with a goal at either end. Have a 35 yards by 25 yards central playing area inside the pitch with a 7-yards wide channel along both wings.

Play 4v4 within the central area, and goalkeepers in each goal. To score, a player must make their run from either wide channel onto a ball played along the ground and through the front of the central area. Once the player breaks out, a defender can chase to apply pressure.

In a 4v4, players can only score if running from a wide channel. Defenders can cover.

What to call out

• “Get the weight of pass right – not too hard, not too soft”
• “Use the proper technique with your weaker foot”
• “Hit the target with all your shots”