One-two, three – shoot!

Combination play in the form of quick, accurate passing and movement can be the key to unlocking defenses to create opportunities to shoot at goal.

What this session is about

1. Combination play.
2. Movement off the ball.
3. Passing.
4. Shooting.

What to think about

Passing:

• Technique
• Pace
• Timing
• Accuracy (to feet, to run onto?)
• Communication
• Head up between passes

Shooting:

• Assess goalkeeper’s position
• Technique (laces or sidefoot?)
• Accuracy before power (aim for corner across the keeper etc)
• Composure
• Look for rebounds

Set-up

• Minimum 10 players, plus 2 goalkeepers.
• Area approx 40x30m.

Warm up	Session	Developments	Game Situation	Warm Down
10 minutes	15 minutes	15 minutes	15 minutes	5 minutes

What you get your players to do

Set up 2 lines of 3 cones, placed in “zig-zag” formation approx 15m apart. Station a “wall” player at each cone. The 3rd cone in each line should be approx 20m from goal. The remaining players are split into 2 groups and start from diagonally opposite corners.

The first player in each group plays a one-two (wall pass) with each of the 3 wall players in turn before dribbling towards goal and shooting. They then join the back of the next line. The next player in each line repeats.

Make sure players swap, so everyone has a go at the drill and at being wall players.

Reverse direction so players go anti-clockwise and practise passing and shooting with both feet. Players can also try different styles of passing, including using the outside of the foot.

Player “A” makes the first two wall passes (one-two).

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Development

Condition the wall players to one touch and the players performing the drill to two touch or apply a time limit, or add both restrictions.

When they have continued and completed the third wall pass they shoot at goal (three – shoot!).

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Game situation

Play 4v4 using an area approx 30x20m, plus 2 keepers. Both teams keep a player outside each touchline in the opposition half, leaving a 2v2 game in the playing area.

The central players can use their wide players when in possession of the ball in the attacking half. The wide players are limited to two touches. Award bonus points for players scoring following a wall pass.

In a small-sided game teams have players outside of the pitch they can use to complete wall passes.

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What to call out

• “Pass and accelerate into space”
• “Compose yourself”
• “Hit the target”