Bounce
in Attacking, Defending, Small Sided Games
This training session is a good workout for forwards pressing and forcing mistakes high up the pitch. It also helps to develop link play in the final third. MORE
Attacking
The attacking soccer drills in this section aim to help you coach your players to make the most of the opportunities that come their way during a game. We look at ways to create chances for your attackers, small-sided games that will sharpen their reactions in front of goal, and tips on how to coach your attackers to be goal-machines.
Wing it
Things don’t always go to plan in the attacking third. Encourage your players to “wing it” by showing them that how they deliver the ball into the box doesn’t matter – as long as it gets there. MORE
Handball overlaps
in Attacking, Small Sided Games
This is a game to be played like basketball or rugby style passing the ball in the hands to show how players make one-twos and third man runs. MORE
The target man
“Target man” is the term used to describe a centre forward who is able to hold the ball under pressure and then pass back to supporting players. This session includes three simple practices to develop target players. MORE
Cutting across a defender
Cutting across a following defender when through on goal will increase your player’s chances of scoring as it denies the defender a tackling opportunity. MORE
Free kick either side of goal
in Attacking, Set pieces
Free kick from the 1994 World Cup taken by Thomas Brolin which caught the imagination of football fans and gave coaches new ideas for scoring goals from free kicks MORE
Defender run and pass
Defenders who run out from the back with the ball can create overload situations in midfield, making them a valuable attacking weapon. MORE
Supporting forward passes
It is vital that players support forward passes so that attackers are not isolated and possession can be retained. MORE
Late runs in the final third
When teams are attacking late runs into the box from wing backs are very difficult to pick up. This session shows players how to run late and strike early. MORE
Who can score?
in Attacking, Ball Control and Footwork
Win the 1v1 battles and you will get chance to score in the main game – great to focus your players on scoring goals. MORE
Back attack
This session aims improve your players when they are receiving the ball with their back to goal. Can the players turn and beat the defender? Can they hold the ball and then bring their team mates into the game? MORE
Games to encourage the killer pass
in Attacking, Email newsletters
At any level of the game a killer pass that sets up a goalscoring chance is vital to create a successful team and is the finishing touch if you are playing a possession or counter attacking game. MORE
Flooding the penalty area
This session aims to improve the movement of your forwards when getting into the opponents box in order to score from a cross. MORE
Attacking play
Recent sessions have given your players dribbling, passing and decision-making skills. This session encourages your players to put these skills into practice in a team environment with the aim of building movement in attack and creating more goal-scoring opportunities. MORE
The importance of the magic man
in Attacking, Email newsletters
When you play training games with your team if you have an odd number of players it is always a good idea to play a 'magic man'. This is a position of great responsibility because this player can catch the opposition out during transition or can be the player who creates goal scoring chances because he/she is less likely to be marked when the ball is transferred. MORE
The lone striker
A lot of teams now play with a lone striker supported by players from midfield. The modern striker must have a number of attributes. These include running deep to receive the ball, holding the ball up, dribbling at speed and shooting with either foot. This session aims to improve these skills in a number of 1v1 exercises. MORE
First to the ball attacks the goal
This 2v1 session has players practicing a range of attacking techniques, including passing and shooting. MORE
See the pass
Long passes can be a key way to open up an opposition defence or to find space on the pitch by switching play. A great way to help young players to spot longer passing options and to see beyond the first players in their line of vision. MORE
4v4 with 4 goals
in Attacking, Small Sided Games
Obviously kids thoroughly enjoy scrimmaging and coaches can use games to teach players without them realizing they are learning. Not only does this game help players stay connected but also starts introducing finishing and expands players range of passing. MORE
Attacking front and back
This session is about developing players that are capable of scoring goals in a range of match situations. MORE
On the rebound
Long shots often create chaos in the penalty areas of youth teams opening up chances from rebounds and blocks. Fire your team ahead by going long against tough opposition and score from the rebound MORE
Pass with purpose
It is important for young players to recognise when the ball is passed to them by looking up at all times giving them more chance to control the ball. MORE
Attacking centrally and wide
This session develops attacking play from both central and wide positions. Your team should firstly look to attack through the centre as that is the quickest way to the goal. However, opponents will often block these areas and therefore your team must know how to attack down the wide areas too. MORE
Support the striker
Possession, passing and support is vital to creating the chances that give your team the opportunity to score more goals. This is build up play to shooting at goal. MORE
