Category: Shooting

“Thunderball” is a great game for getting children to run at speed and shoot at a target. It’s ideal to use as a warm-up to a session on shooting/passing or as a stand-alone game.

Age group: Five to Eight-year-olds.

Number of players: Whole squad.

Equipment required: Four or five conical (traffic) cones, one ball and a marker cone for each player.

Set-up: Four or five conical cones are placed in the centre of the playing area as targets.

Divide your players into two or more teams.

Place a cone/marker for each player in a circle around the targets.

Make sure that the marker cones are placed close enough to the target cones so that your players can be expected to hit them but not so close that the game is too easy.

How to play

On your command, all the players leave their balls at the cone and race around the playing area and back to their own cone.

Tip: Before you start, tell your players which way to run round the circle.

When they get back to their cone, they try to knock down a target with a pass/shot.

Award the teams five points for each target they knock down. The first team to score 20 points is the winner.

Variations

• Run the other way round the circle.
• One team runs clockwise, the other anticlockwise.
• Run with the ball round the circle.
• Shoot/pass with your weaker foot.

For more soccer coaching tips and products visit Soccer Coach Weekly.

Objective: To improve passing, receiving and shooting skills.

Age range: U9s to U13s.

Set up: Create a 30×20 yards playing area with a 10-yard box at one end and a goal at the other, as shown below.

Divide your players into two teams of four plus a keeper.

How to play:

One team works in the box, passing the ball between themselves and attempting to keep possession from a single pressing player from the other team.

If the pressing players win possession or force the passing team to kick the ball out of the box, they break out of the box, receive a pass from you and shoot at goal.

If the passing team manages to make 10 consecutive passes, the pressing player leaves the box and another player enters.

The pressing team gets a point for every goal it scores, the passing team gets a point for every set of 10 passes.

Each pressing player has two turns in the box then switch the teams around.

Progression: Allow the passing team to send one player to chase any pressing players that are about to shoot at goal.

Replace the box with another goal and play a small-sided game (SSG) where a ‘goal’ is awarded for 10 consecutive passes.

A simple but effective football (soccer) coaching drill designed to practice shooting technique. It’s a good workout for goalkeepers too!

first published as a FA level 2 session on www.worldclasscoaching.com

>> How to teach the basic shooting technique <<

Organisation

• Grid 40 x 10 yards
• 1 goal set up at the 20 yard mark of the grid
• 1 goalkeeper and 6 players (3 players either side of the grid) per grid

Key Points

• Position of the ball.
• Part of the foot in contact with the ball.
• Part of the ball that needs to be struck.
• Angle of approach.
• Check position of goalkeeper
• Accuracy
• Rebounds

Practice

Initially the blue player passes the ball to the goalkeeper.
Goalkeeper passes the football back to the blue player.
Goalkeeper turns around and repeats the process with the red player.

Progression

• Players strike the ball to the goalkeeper and the goalkeeper returns the pass.
• Players shoot on goal, whilst the ball is stationary, and goalkeeper attempts to save the ball (rebounds).
• Players shoot on goal, whilst the ball is moving, and goalkeeper attempts to save the ball (rebounds).
• A player acting as a server is introduced to feed players the ball from different angles (see the illustrations below).

1. Ball moving away from kicker

2. Ball moving towards kicker

3. Ball moving across the kicker

Tip: before teaching the right way to shoot, teach your kids how to kick a football correctly.

There are many different ways to shoot the ball in football. You can shoot with the instep, with the inside of the foot, the outside, and yes, even the toe. You can drive the ball hard, make it curve in or out or chip it.

But the first thing you have to do is to teach your children the basics: ‘from the nose to the toes’:

Head down – eye on the ball.

Tell your children that they have look up to pick out their target and then look back to the football as they actually shoot. This is because it is virtually impossible to strike the ball correctly if you’re not looking at it.

Plant non-striking foot along side the ball.

If you plant your foot behind the ball your kicking foot is coming up as you strike. This will result in a chip shot. As your children progress you may well want to show them how to do this, but to start with we need to practice keeping shots low and straight.

Strike the middle of the ball.

If you kick the ball below the middle the ball will rise, if your child ‘tops’ it the ball will just roll along the ground.

Keep the knee of the kicking leg over the ball.

This technique determines the correct body position. Often, children will be standing too far behind the ball when they shoot. This results in too little power.

Approach the ball slightly from the side.

Coming straight at the ball results in ‘toe poking’. Younger children kick with their toes naturally, it seems easier and it’s often hard to get them out of the habit. You need to show them that they can hit the ball just as hard with their instep and their shots will be much more accurate. One way of doing this is to get them to shoot at a cone or pole set up 10 or 20 yards away. You should be able to demonstrate that is much easier to hit the target and knock it over using the instep.

Follow through.

Young children are often reluctant to kick through the ball. They tend to jerk back as they strike the ball and consequently do not get a lot of power on the shot.

Setup: 20×40 grid with both ends of the grid open. Place a set of cones about 3 feet apart in the middle of both ends. These are your goals. After you have set up the field, divide your players into two equal teams.

The teams line up outside the grid opposite each other. Assign each player a number.

How to play: The coach starts the game by tossing the ball inside the grid and calling a number.

The players of that number from each team run into the field of play and try to score through the opposite goal.

If you want to emphasise close control, make it a condition that a goal can only be scored if they have control of the ball and be no more than two steps away from it when the ball crosses the line. If they do not have control or are more than two steps away from the ball, the goal does not count.

Alternatively, you can encourage quick shooting by allowing the children to shoot as soon as they get a sight of goal.

Defending techniques, (closing down, positioning between the attacker and the goal, not ‘diving in’), can also be emphasised and reinforced in this fun 1 v 1.

If the ball goes out of the grid, throw another ball in to keep the game flowing. Try throwing it in high so your kids can practice controlling a bouncing ball.

Once a player scores, award that team 1 point. First team to score, say, three points wins.

After players are back into position call out another number.

To make the game more interesting, call out a second number while the first pair are playing. Now you have a 2 v 2 team situation. Now you can focus on defensive techniques, communication, quick passing and running off the ball.

You can add an element of conditioning if the children have to run right round the marked out area when their number is called, entering the field of play through the opposite goal.

Ensure both teams stand in the goalmouths while they wait for you to call out a number!

The Triangle Goal Shooting Game 

• Set up a triangular goal in the middle of a 50 x 50 grid.
• Play an even sided game with both teams having their own keeper.
• Both teams try to score through any one of the three sides of the triangular goal.
• It is best to place the goal in the centre of a 20 yard in diameter circle, with only the keepers allowed inside the circle.
• If the keeper catches the ball, her or her team must take the ball outside of the grid before they may attack again.
• Play with 2 balls for real excitement.
• Goalkeepers may become attacking players when their team has possession.

Coaching Points

• Attacking and defending principles of play.
• Shooting
• Finishing
• Possession
• Goalkeeper positioning, shot saving and distribution.

Penalty Box Soccer

Objective: Practice scoring goals and marking in the penalty area.

Area: Penalty area (directly in front of the goal).

Players: Teams of three, two goalkeepers.

Equipment: Two sets of training bibs.

At least six soccer balls

Goal and two corner flags (or four corner flags for two goals)

Formation: Two teams of three are in the penalty area with a keeper defending each goal.

Procedure: The game starts with the keeper of the one team throwing the ball to a team-mate. The game is decided by the first goal scored. The team that scores stays on the field and the losing team is replaced by a new team.

To keep the game moving, keep plenty of balls in the goal and put a two-minute time limit on each game. If neither team scores in two minutes, both teams go off and two new teams restart the game.

Make sure to balance the teams.

The winner is the team with the most goals after 20 minutes.

Marbles

Players are organised into pairs, each with a ball. Standing with her back to the field of play, the first player throws her ball over her head. The second player then kicks her ball from the starting point and tries to hit the ball that was thrown. Play alternates by kicks until one ball is hit. The players then change over and start again. Coaches should emphasise instep kicks for length and the side of the foot for accuracy. Make it a condition that every other game is left foot only.

Four Goal Game (heads up!)

Set up four 2 cone goals in each corner of a 20 yd x 30 yd grid. Divide players into two equal teams. Players may score at any of the four goals. This is an excellent game for encouraging teamwork; getting heads up and discouraging bunching round the ball.

Shoot Between Cones

Set up a line of cones row 3 to 5 yards apart. Pair up players and put one player on each side of the line facing the cones and each other. Players should start close to the row of cones at first, striking the ball between the cones. The partner receives ball and passes it back through the cones. Move players further apart as their technique and accuracy improve 

Go For Goal

Players form two lines on either side of the coach who is standing 18 to 20 yards from a goal that is any size. The coach serves the ball toward the goal line while one player races to win the ball and shoot. As skills improve, add a goalkeeper. The coach should encourage correct shooting technique and a good first touch on the ball.

Dribble Cones and Shoot

Set up two cone lines for a dribble weave about 30 yards with a 2 yard goal at the end. Divide players into two lines or teams. Players must dribble through the cones and score at the goal at the end before the next player in line starts.

Pass and Strike

Set up a 30 yd x 30 yd grid with two opposing goals. Divide players into two equal teams. Each team must make four complete passes before they can shoot on goal. If the ball is taken by the opponent the team must start its pass count again.

Hit the Cone

Set up cones in a line, with three feet between each cone. Line up two players on opposing sides of each cone, facing one another. Give one of the opposing players a ball. The object of the game is to knock down the cone in as few shots as possible. When the first shooter misses the cone, their partner should trap the ball and take a shot. When the cone is knocked over, one player should set it back up and continue playing. For a variation, play the game for one minute intervals, and encourage the players to improve their record each time.

Pass and Shoot

Set up two cones as a goal at one end of the grid and divide the team in half. Pick one player to start as goalie. Then line one group up behind the goal, with one ball for each player. Line the other group up fifteen feet in front of the goal, in the centre. The first player in line should pass the ball to the first player in the centre line. This person then traps the ball and takes a shot on goal. After their turns, the players should get in the end of the alternate line (players who took shots need to retrieve the ball if needed). Switch goalies often. For large groups, two games can be set up at opposite ends of the grid. Later, have the shooting line take their shots with only one touch.

Quick Shot

Divide players into groups of three, and give each group one ball and two cones. Set the cones up as a goal, and have one player be the goalie. The remaining two players should be on opposite sides of the goal, facing each other. They take turns shooting on goal. When the goalie makes a save, he should turn and roll the ball to the other player. Switch goalies often.

Shot Against Goalie

Divide the team into pairs. Give each pair one ball and four cones. Set the cones up as two separate goals, about 10 yards apart. Every player stands in front of a goal and takes turns shooting and being the goalie. Initially, have the players shoot a stationary ball. Then have them stand behind their goal line and dribble up to it before shooting or have the goalie roll the ball to the shooter for a one-touch shot

Cone Kick Down

This is played just like a regular small sided game, but instead of having a goal to shoot at set up five cones along each goal line. The first team to knock down all five cones wins. There are no goalies.

Even the top-level players perfect their shooting skills without a defensive presence.

Shooting while under pressure is a critical part of a player’s training, but only after the player has developed some skill and confidence in shooting. Actually, some coaches claim to see more scores (and missed opportunities) when there is no (immediate) defensive pressure.

Training environments should get players maximum shots with different varieties of passes and situations.

A staggered goal setup is a wonderful training environment especially when training in a small area.  It allows for players to share an area and still feel as if they have large area to work in.

There are a couple of things one can do from this setup. If a coach has a flat goal, s/he can place it at the halfway off towards a touch and the players can be separated into shooting on four goals. Defensive pressure can also be included if needed in this layout.

Set Up and Execution

Long Shots

A plays long ball to B who controls and shoots on Goal 2; the next player B immediately plays long ball to A (initial passer) who controls and shoots on Goal 1.

Either the player retrieves his own ball and switches sides or  he can retrieve the  other shooter’s ball and stay on same side.

Back Angles

Line 1, player A dribbles along goal line (towards goal 2) and plays an angled pass back to player B in line 2 moving on to goal 2.

Immediately after the pass, player A makes run on goal 1 as next player in line 2 dribbles along goal line (towards goal 1) and plays back angle to A. Players retrieve shots and exchange lines.