Mix and match
In matches, players have to make a range of passes across various distances. The practices in this session are designed to improve awareness of when to use a short pass and when a longer pass is required. MORE
Lofted and driven
There are two types of long pass: Lofted and driven. Develop your players’ ability to execute both with this session that will keep them interested. MORE
Shooting across the goal
This session will encourage your players to play the percentage game. Shooting across the goal enables the team two chances to score – either directly from the shot or from any rebounds that follow. MORE
Quick turn and fire
Creating space in a packed penalty box in order to turn and fire off a shot is an invaluable skill that brings great rewards for strikers. MORE
“Gang up” defending
When a defender puts pressure on an attacker, it is vital that another defender stays close by in a supporting position. This session is designed to improve how your players “gang up” in defensive situations. In doing so, they will improve their understanding, positioning and teamwork. MORE
Don’t be shy – shoot!
Get your players shooting at every opportunity with this drill. MORE
The killer instinct
Remaining composed when faced with just the keeper to beat is vital for a striker. This session will show you how to teach your hitmen how to hit the target and win matches. MORE
Hold off a defender and shoot
This drill improves the ability to cope with the pressure of having a defender breathing down your neck when through on goal with only the keeper to beat. MORE
The finishing square
The practices in this session are designed to improve the movement of the centre forward when receiving the ball and the awareness of midfielders to make an accurate forward pass and then support this pass with a forward run. MORE
Safe hands and safe feet
in Goalkeeping, Practice plans
The ability to deal with balls that come to the goalkeeper from all angles is one of the most important parts of a goalkeeper’s game. It relies on positioning, technique and good decision making. Most importantly, keepers need to be good with their feet as well as their hands. MORE
The instant shot
Striking the ball first time at goal requires good service, timing and technique. With benefits including reducing the amount of time keepers have to prepare themselves, it’s worth giving it a shot. MORE
Create space to shoot
It’s not always necessary for an attacker to go past a defender in order to shoot – sometimes a trick or a feint creates enough space to get a strike at the target. MORE
Playing with your back to goal
This practice improves attackers' understanding and skills with their backs to goal. MORE
Defend together
Improve your team’s ability to defend when under constant pressure from opposition attacks. Remember that when your rivals don’t have the ball, they can’t score a goal. MORE
First-time shooting
Catch goalkeepers unaware by getting your players to shoot with their first touch. MORE
Line drills
1v1 Split your players into two teams. To “score a goal” the attacking player must dribble past the defender and into the “end zone”. Encourage the attacking player to perform a variety of feints before powerfully accelerating with the ball into space. Give each team a turn at attacking, the team with the most “goals” wins. MORE
Receive a square pass and shoot
Shooting from a square pass is a difficult skill for young players to master, but this activity will help you teach them in a variety of situations. MORE
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. MORE
Olé football
Spain and Barcelona mesmerise their opponents when in possession of the ball. Improve your players’ composure when they have the ball to emulate the Spanish. This session will help your players retain possession and if the opposition do not have the ball, they cannot score any goals. MORE
Shoot on sight
A snap shot at goal can be the difference between two teams on match day. When the chance to shoot arises, your players need to take advantage of the opportunity. MORE
The goal poacher
This week’s session is designed to improve your players’ ability to score goals inside the penalty area. The term “goal poacher” describes a player who is desperate to score goals and is constantly looking to get a toe, foot or head on the ball to do so. MORE
Quick turning to shoot
This session is designed to improve your players’ turning in and around the penalty area. The aim for the forward is to get a quick shot at goal and catch the goalkeeper by surprise. MORE
Crossing and finishing
This simple drill will help younger players to start thinking about coordinating the timing of a cross with a team mate’s run towards goal. MORE
High and low striker
This practice shows the advantage of forwards playing off each other and develops combinations with the wide midfielders. MORE
