By Chris Kouns
USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Women’s Soccer Coach – Georgia Gwinnett College
This session focuses on your player's ability to finish from shots from distance.
Set-Up
There will be a GK in one big goal. At three different angles outside the 18 yard box there will be two cones with players on those cones.
Execution
The first player will play a ball into the player checking to the first cone. That player will lay a ball back at an angle so that the passing player will be able to stride into the ball increasing their power on the shot.
Once the player attempts their shot the next set of players will go and it will continue for a two minute span. When it has gone all the way across and gets back to the first set the roles should change with the passer now receiving and the player who laid the last ball off now finishing.
Coaching Points
Focus on striking the ball as it comes back to you as that will increase the velocity of the shot.
When striking a ball from distance keep your eyes exclusively on the ball as it comes to your foot and for an additional step after the shot.
To help with the accuracy of your shot your last step of the plant foot should be placed towards the goal. This will allow your body mechanics to ensure the ball goes on frame and allow you to keep your eyes down on the ball.
Setup
There will be a GK in one big goal. On the flanks of the 18 yard box there will be two players on a ball with one defender between them and the goal. At the top of the box there will be an additional player who will look to finish from long range.
Execution
The two player on the ball will look to combine and force the defender to commit. The player at the top of the box will look to hold then make their run based on where they will get the ball at the top of the box.
Coaching Points
The two players should look to engage the defender at game speed and then draw the ball, at an angle, to the top of the box for the finish.
It is vital that the player at the top of the box hold their run till they can see the space and angle the ball will be played to them.
The finishing player must attack the ball at pace but focus on their contact with the ball rather than the power.
If the ball is coming from the finishers right and they choose to finish with their right foot they should look to put it near post.
If the ball is coming from the finishers right and they choose to let it run across their body to their left foot they should look to put it far post.
Setup
There are two big goals set up 45 yards from one another. There will be a GK in each big goal. The field will be divided in half and there will three attackers and one defender in front of each goal.
Execution
The three attacking players will keep possession for a minimum of three passes. After their third pass they should try to find a ball to drive back to the oncoming "defender" who will look to striker a long range effort on goal. When the ball is laid back the three players should all frame the goal and look for rebounds from the long range effort as the shot must be one touch.
The three "Attackers" on the opposite side of the field will not defend the player looking to finish a long range effort since they only have 1 touch.
Coaching Points
The "defender" on the opposite side of the field should pay attention to the body position of those players on the ball and not get too close to the shooting area until they are prepared to play them the ball.
The ball played to the top of the area for the finish must be of a quality that will allow a one time finish.
The shot priority should be on frame as opposed to power as the power will come from the fact the ball is rolling towards the shooter and focusing on power is more likely to miss the target.
By Chris Kouns: USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Coach Georgia Gwinnet College Women’s Soccer (GA)
