WORLD CLASS COACHING
40 Shooting and Finishing Exercises
By Luca Bertolini
Table of Contents
PART FOUR
Shooting and Battle Exercises
Shooting Battle Exercises
Exercise 25: 1 v 1 shooting battle (1)
Set-up and Sequence: 6 numbered players (1-6) in possession are placed on the corners and in the middle of the longer sidelines of a rectangular set-up. 2 goals (A and B) with goalkeepers are placed along the shorter sides of the rectangles. A 1 v 1 duel is played all around the set-up.
The coach calls out the player who must kick the ball to start the first duel (2 in the picture) and the goal to score in (B in the picture); the player who is able to win the ball becomes attacker and the other one is the defender. The coach can decide the way to attack for the player in possession and the defense behavior of the player without the possession, depending on their positions.
Every time a sequence ends, the new player and the goal to attack must be called until all six outer players have been involved (ex, 3-B etc.). The attacker and the defender can be different at every sequence. If the defenders win the ball, they must counter attack toward the opposite goal.
The goals of the attacking players worth 1 point but scoring after the recovery of the ball possession worth double.
Variations:
1) The defender who wins the possession must play a passing combination with the player who kicked the ball for the first time before finishing
2) The player who kicked the ball runs inside as support for the player in possession, to create a 2 v 1 duel
3) The player who kicked the ball runs inside as support for the defender, to create a 2 v 1 duel for a fast ball recovery
Eye on: attack the ball to win the possession, be placed properly to receive, quick 1 v 1 duel and finishing, pressure to recover the possession.
Exercise 26: 1 v 1 shooting battle (2)
Set-up and Sequence: 6 numbered players (1-6) are placed on the corners and in the middle of the longer sidelines of a rectangular set-up. 2 goals (A and B) with goalkeepers in possession are placed along the shorter sides of the rectangles. A 1 v 1 duel is played all around the set-up.
The coach calls out the goalkeeper who must kick the ball to start the first duel (A in the picture) and the outer player who must help the forward in a 1-2 passing combination (3 in the picture), before shooting. The coach can decide the way to attack for the player in possession and the defense behavior of the player without the possession, depending on their positions. The goal to attack and to defend is the one that is saved by the same goalkeeper.
If the defender wins the ball, he must counter attack toward the opposite goal.
When the first sequence ends, the second goalkeeper kicks the second ball to start a new sequence.
The goals of the attacking players worth 1 point but to score after the recovery of ball possession worth double.
Variation: the defender who wins the ball must play a passing combination with another player (of his choice or called by the coach) before finishing.
Eye on: attack the ball to win the possession, be placed properly to receive, quick 1 v 1 duels, combinations and finishing, pressure to recover the possession.
Exercise 27: team shooting battle (1)
Set-up and Sequence: 2 square spaces are marked as in the picture and two teams are queued up at the borderlines of the playing space (1 third of a field). The passing players for each team are placed along the sidelines and in the middle of the total length of the space.
The first black and yellow players of the queues must run inside the squares to finish toward the goal in front of them with 1 touch, if possible, or even 2; all the shots must come from inside the squares.
The sequences are repeated until all the players have shot once; the one who shot last time becomes the sideways passing player.
Eye on: body position on the ball to shoot, runs and pass timing inside the square.
Exercise 28: team shooting battle (2)
Set-up and Sequence: 2 square spaces are marked as in the picture and two teams are queued up at the borderlines of the playing space (1 third of a field). The passing players for each team are placed along the sidelines and in the middle of the total length of the space.
The first black and yellow players of the queues must run inside the squares, receive the ball, turn back and finish toward the goal in front of them with 2 touches if possible, but not more than 3 touches; all the shots must come from outside the squares.
The sequences are repeated until all the players have shot once; the one who shot last time becomes the sideways passing player.
Eye on: body position on the ball to turn with fewest possible number of passes, runs and pass timing inside the square for outside oriented ball control.
Exercise 29: 1 v 1 team shooting battle under pressure (1)
Set-up and Sequence: 2 square spaces are marked as in the picture and two teams are queued up at the borderlines of the playing space (1 third of a field). The passing players for each team are placed along the sidelines and in the middle of the total length of the space.
The first black and yellow players of the queues must run inside the squares to finish toward the goal in front of them with 1 touch, if possible, or even 2; all the shots must come from inside the squares.
In this variation, the players must receive and finish under the pressure of a defender of the opposition team, inside the square. If the defenders win the ball, they can shot toward the opposition goal to gain 1 more point for the team.
The sequences are repeated until all the players have shot and defended once; the one who attacked last time becomes the sideways passing player and the passing player become defender.
Eye on: body position on the ball to shot, runs and passes timing inside the square, counter the finishing attempts, tackles.
Exercise 30: 1 v 1 team shooting battle under pressure (2)
Set-up and Sequence: 2 square spaces are marked as in the picture and two teams are queued up at the borderlines of the playing space (1 third of a field). The passing players for each team are placed along the goal lines beside (on the left or on the right of the goals).
The first black and yellow players of the queues must run inside the squares, receive the ball, turn back and finish toward the goal in front of them with 2 touches, if possible, but not more than 3 touches; all the shots must come from outside the squares.
In this variation, the players must receive, turn and finish under the pressure of a defender of the opposition team outside the square. If the defenders win the ball, they can shoot toward the opposition goal to gain 1 more point for the team.
The sequences are repeated until all the players have shot and defended once; the one who attacked last time becomes the sideways passing player and the passing player become defender.
Eye on: body position on the ball to shoot, runs and passes timing inside the square, counter the finishing attempts, save the goal space.
Exercise 31: 1 v 1 team shooting battle (3)
Set-up and Sequence: 2 square spaces are marked as in the picture and two teams are queued up at the borderlines of the playing space (1 third of a field). The passing players of each team are placed along the sidelines and in the middle of the total length of the space.
1 attacking player and 1 defending player of the black and yellow teams are placed inside each square; the forward must receive the ball, turn back and finish toward the goal in front of him with 2 touches, if possible, or even but not more than 3 touches; all the shots must come from outside the squares.
In this variation, the players must receive, turn and finish under the pressure of a defender of the opposition team since the beginning of the exercise. If the defenders win the ball, they can shot toward the opposition goal to gain 1 more point for the team.
The sequences are repeated until all the players have shot and defended once; the one who shot last time becomes the sideways passing player and the passing player become defender.
Eye on: body position on the ball to shoot, runs and passes timing inside the square, counter the finishing attempts, save the goal space.
Exercise 32: 1 v 1 + 1 shooting battle to combine quickly
Set-up and Sequence: 4 numbered players (1-4) are placed on the corners the penalty area and just out of it. 2 goals (A and B) with goalkeepers in possession are placed in front of each other. A 1 v 1 duel is played all around the set-up and 1 neutral player must support the player in possession.
The coach calls out the goalkeeper who must kick the ball to start the first duel (A in the picture) and the outer player who must help the forward to complete a 1-2 passing combination (2 in the picture). The forward must then complete a second passing combination with the neutral player before shooting. The coach can decide the way to attack for the player in possession and the defense behavior of the player without the possession, depending on their positions. The goal to attack and to defend is the one saved by the same goalkeeper. The forwards and the defenders can be pre-determined or not.
If the defender wins the ball, he must finish toward the opposite goal.
When the first sequence ends, the second goalkeeper kicks the ball to start a new sequence.
The goals of the attacking players worth 1 point but to score after the recovery of ball possession worth double.
Variations: the defender who wins the ball must play:
1) A passing combination with another wide teammate (of his choice or called by the coach) before finishing.
2) A passing combination with the neutral player before finishing
3) A passing combination with a support numbered player and a the neutral one too
4) A passing combination with the goalkeeper
Eye on: attack the ball to win the possession, be placed properly to receive, quick 1 v 1 duels, combinations and finishing, save the possession with the right body positioning, pressure to recover the possession.
Exercise 33: 2 v 2 + 4 shooting battle (1)
Set-up and Sequence: a basic 2 v 2 duel is played inside a set-up just a little bigger than the penalty area. 2 goals with goalkeepers are placed in front of each other. 4 neutral players are placed wide along the sidelines of the penalty area, as in the picture.
The coach kicks the ball to start the sequence; the first player who receives the ball identifies the couple in possession and the defending couples of players, as well as the goal to attack and to defend. The players in possession are asked to combine with one neutral player, before shooting on goal. If the defenders win the ball, they must counter-attack directly toward the opposition goal. The goals of the attacking players worth 1 point but to score after the recovery of the ball possession worth double.
Variations: if the defenders win the ball they must play:
1) A passing combination with 1 neutral player before finishing
2) Passing combinations with opposite wide neutral players before finishing
Eye on: attack the ball to win the possession, be placed properly to receive, quick combinations and finishing, save the possession with the right body positioning, pressure to recover the possession, closure of passing lanes.
Exercise 34: 2 v 2 + 4 shooting battle (2)
Set-up and Sequence: a basic 2 v 2 duel is played inside a set-up just a little bigger than the penalty area. 2 goals with goalkeepers in possession are placed in front of each other. 4 neutral players are placed on the depth lines, as in the picture. The coach calls out the goalkeeper who must start the sequence (the black one in the picture), passing the ball to the first teammate; this player then receives the ball and he must pass back to the one of the neutral players before finishing. The player, who must shoot on goal, should receive on the run and behind the defense line. If the defenders win the ball, they must counter-attack directly toward the opposition goal. The goals of the attacking players worth 1 point but to score after the recovery of ball possession worth double.
Variations: if the defenders win the ball they must play:
1) A passing combination with 1 neutral player before finishing
2) Passing combinations with opposite deep neutral players before finishing (1 back pass and 1 forward pass)
Eye on: attack the ball to win the possession, be placed properly to receive, quick combinations and finishing, press to avoid the opponent from turning, closure of passing lanes.
Exercise 35: 2 v 2 + 4 shooting battle (3)
Set-up and Sequence: this exercise is a variation of the previous exercise. A basic 2 v 2 duel is played inside a set-up just a little bigger than the penalty area. 2 goals with goalkeepers in possession are placed in front of each other. 4 neutral players are placed on the depth lines, as in the picture. The coach calls out the goalkeeper who must start the sequence (the black one in the picture), passing the ball to the first teammate; this player then receives the ball and he must pass forward to 1 of the neutral players before finishing. The player, who must shot on goal, should receive the back pass on the run and behind the defense line. If the defenders win the ball, they must counter-attack directly toward the opposition goal. The goals of the attacking players worth 1 point but to score after the recovery of ball possession worth double.
Variations: if the defenders win the ball they must play:
1) A passing combination with 1 neutral player before finishing
2) Passing combinations with opposite deep neutral players before finishing (1 back pass and 1 forward pass)
Eye on: attack the ball to win the possession, be placed properly to receive, quick combinations and finishing, press to avoid the opponent from turning, closure of passing lanes.
Exercise 36: 4 v 4 shooting battle (1) to build up and finish quickly
Set-up and Sequence: a 4 v 4 duel is played inside a set-up just a little bigger than the penalty area. 2 goals (A and B) with goalkeepers in possession are placed in front of each other. A 2 v 2 duel is played inside the set-up and 2 more players for each team are placed wide alternately on the sidelines of the penalty area, as in the picture.
The coach calls out the goalkeeper who must kick the ball to start the first duel (A in the picture) passing wide on his left (as in the picture) or right teammates. The receiver must play inside the penalty area, where the players of the possession team must be unmarked to receive and to finish the move, shooting toward the opposite goal as soon as possible. They can choose to play with the second wide teammate to save the possession too.
If the defenders win the ball, they must counter-attack directly toward the opposition goal.
When the first sequence ends, the second goalkeeper kicks the second ball to start a new sequence; the prior defending team becomes the attacking one.
The goals of the attacking players worth 1 point but to score after the recovery of ball possession worth double.
Variations: if the defenders win the ball they must play:
1) A passing combination with a wide teammate before finishing
2) Passing combinations with both the wide teammates before finishing
3) A passing combination with the goalkeeper before finishing
Eye on: attack the ball to win the possession, be placed properly to receive, quick combinations and finishing, save the possession with the right body positioning, pressure to recover the possession.
Exercise 37: 4 v 4 shooting battle (2) to build up and finish quickly or attack quickly
Set-up and Sequence: this exercise is a variation of the previous practice. A 4 v 4 duel is played inside a set-up just a little bigger than the penalty area. 2 goals (A and B) with goalkeepers in possession are placed in front of each other. A 2 v 2 duel is played inside the set-up and 2 more players for each team are placed wide alternately on the sidelines of the penalty area, as in the picture.
The coach calls out the goalkeeper who must kick the ball to start the first duel (A in the picture) passing wide on his left (as in the picture) or right teammates and moreover to the lower or upper positioned teammate. If the goalkeeper passes to the lower one, the objectives are the same of the previous exercise: build up and finish quickly. If the goalkeeper decides to pass to the upper teammate, the receiver must play inside the penalty area, where the forwards must attack the opposition goal to finish as soon as possible and even with just 1 more direct touch. In this second kind of sequence, they can't play with the other lower and wider teammate to save the possession; they just have to finish quickly.
If the defenders win the ball, they must counter-attack directly toward the opposition goal.
When the first sequence ends, the second goalkeeper kicks the ball to start a new sequence; the prior defending team becomes the attacking one.
The goals of the attacking players worth 1 point but to score after the recovery of ball possession worth double.
Variation: if the defenders win the ball they must play:
1) A passing combination with a wide teammate before finishing
2) Passing combinations with both the wide teammates before finishing
3) A passing combination with the goalkeeper before finishing
Eye on: attack the ball to win the possession, be placed properly to receive, quick combinations and finishing, save the possession with the right body positioning, pressure to recover the possession.
Exercise 38: 4 v 4 shooting battle to finish exchanging the position while switching side of play
Set-up and Sequence: this exercise is another variation of the practice 36. A 4 v 4 duel is played inside a set-up just a little bigger than the penalty area. 2 goals (A and B) with goalkeepers in possession are placed in front of each other. A 2 v 2 duel is played inside the set-up and 2 more players for each team are placed wide alternately, as in the picture. The coach calls out the goalkeeper, who must kick the ball to start the first duel (A in the picture), passing wide on his left (as in the picture), or right teammates, and moreover to the lower or upper positioned teammate. As the first wide player receives, the first objective for the team in possession is to be able to finish, exploiting the inside/outside exchange of position of the opposite teammates. The incoming player should be the one who receives and finishes the move. If the defenders win the ball, they must counter-attack directly toward the opposition goal.
When the first sequence ends, the second goalkeeper kicks the ball to start a new sequence; the prior defending team becomes the attacking one with the same objectives. The goals of the attacking players worth 1 point but to score after the recovery of ball possession worth double.
Eye on: attack the ball to win the possession, be placed properly to receive, quick combinations and finishing, save the possession with the right body positioning, pressure to recover the possession.
Exercise 39: 4 v 4 + 1 shooting battle to finish exchanging the position while switching side of play (1)
Set-up and Sequence: a basic 4 v 4 duel is played inside a set-up just a little bigger than the penalty area. 2 goals (A and B) with goalkeepers in possession are placed in front of each other. A 2 v 2 duel is played inside the set-up and 2 more players for each team are placed wide alternately, as in the picture. 1 neutral player is involved in the game as he must decide which is the team in possession first and then support the finishing phase.
The coach calls out the goalkeeper who must kick the ball to start the first duel (A in the picture) passing to the neutral player. If the neutral player passes the ball to the black team, as in the picture, the goal to be attacked is the opposite one; otherwise, if the neutral player passes the ball to the yellow team, the goal to be attacked is the one saved by the goalkeeper who kicked the ball at the beginning.
As the first wide player receives, the first objective for the team in possession is to be able to finish, exploiting the inside/outside exchange of position of the opposite teammates. The incoming player should be the one who receives the last pass before finishing the move.
If the defenders win the ball, they must counter-attack directly toward the opposition goal.
When the first sequence ends, the second goalkeeper kicks the ball to start a new sequence; the prior defending team becomes the attacking one.
The goals of the attacking players worth 1 point but to score after the recovery of ball possession worth double.
Variation: if the defenders win the ball they must play:
1) A passing combination with the neutral player before finishing
2) Passing combinations with both the wide teammates before finishing
3) A passing combination with the neutral player and the wide teammates before finishing
Eye on: attack the ball to win the possession, be placed properly to receive, quick combinations and finishing, save the possession with the right body positioning, pressure to recover the possession.
Exercise 40: 4 v 4 + 1 shooting battle to finish exchanging the position while switching side of play (2)
Set-up and Sequence: a basic 4 v 4 duel is played inside a set-up just a little bigger than the penalty area. 2 goals with goalkeepers in possession are placed in front of each other. A 2 v 2 duel is played inside the set-up and 2 more players for each team are placed wide alternately, as in the picture. 1 neutral player is involved in the game as he must decide which is the team in possession first and then support the finishing phase.
The coach calls out the goalkeeper who must kick the ball to start the first duel, passing the ball to the neutral player. If the neutral player passes the ball to the black team as in the picture, the goal to be attacked is the opposite one; otherwise, if the neutral player passes the ball to the yellow team, the goal to be attacked is the one saved by the goalkeeper who kicked the ball at the beginning.
As the first wide player receives, the first objective for the team in possession is to be able to finish, exploiting the switch of side and the inside run of a wide attacking player.
If the defenders win the ball, they must counter-attack directly toward the opposition goal.
When the first sequence ends, the second goalkeeper kicks the ball to start a new sequence; the prior defending team becomes the attacking one.
The goals of the attacking players worth 1 point but to score after the recovery of ball possession worth double.
Variations: if the defenders win the ball they must play:
1) A passing combination with the neutral player before finishing
2) Passing combinations with both the wide teammates before finishing
3) A passing combination with the neutral player and the wide teammates before finishing
Eye on: attack the ball to win the possession, be placed properly to receive, quick combinations and finishing, save the possession with the right body positioning, pressure to recover the possession, defend the goal space.
