The shooting range – warm-up

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.