WORLD CLASS COACHING
40 Shooting and Finishing Exercises
By Luca Bertolini
Table of Contents
PART TWO
Shooting and Finishing Exercises With and Without Opposition Pressure
Shooting and finishing practices without and with opposition pressure
Exercise 1: 2 v gk (1)
Set-up and Sequence: 2 players are placed in a space just a little bigger than the penalty area, as in the picture; 1 of them is in possession on the flank, the other one is placed just out of the penalty area. 1 goalkeeper is saving the regular goal. 4 air-bodies are placed like in the picture, as 2 center backs, 1 center midfielder, and 1 fullback.
The player in possession on the flank dribbles forward over the air-body, while the teammate escapes the second air-body in the center backwards (1). The center forward then runs to receive the cross pass (2), to shot on goal (3), between the center backs.
The cross pass can be a volley pass or a ground pass and the forward can finish with 1 or 2 touches.
The practice must be performed along both the flanks.
Variation: the center forward must run toward the first pole or the second one, sideways the air-bodies.
Eye on: escape the marker, timing of runs to receive the cross pass, quality of the cross pass.
Exercise 2: 2 v gk (2)
Set-up and Sequence: 2 players are placed in a space just a little bigger than the penalty area, as in the picture; 1 of them is in possession inside the rectangular space on the flank and the other one is placed just out of the penalty area. 1 goalkeeper is saving the regular goal. 4 air-bodies are placed like in the picture, as 2 center backs, 1 center midfielder, and 1 fullback.
The player in possession on the goal line and wide on the flank dribbles backward to overcome the first air-body, while the teammate escapes the second air-body in the center backwards (1). The center forward then runs to receive the back pass (2), to shoot on goal (3) out of the penalty area and through the air-bodies line.
The practice must be performed along both the flanks.
Variation: the center forward must run toward the first pole or the second one sideways the air-bodies.
Eye on: escape the marker, attack the ball at high tempo, timing of runs to receive the back pass, quality of dribble and pass.
Exercise 3: 1 v 1 on the flank
Set-up and Sequence: 3 players are placed in a space just a little bigger than the penalty area, as in the picture; 1 of them is in possession inside the rectangular space on the flank against 1 opponent. The second forward is placed just out of the penalty area. 1 goalkeeper is saving the regular goal. 3 air-bodies are placed like in the picture, as 2 center backs and 1 center midfielder.
The player in possession on the goal line and wide on the flank dribbles backward to overcome the direct opponent, while the teammate escapes the second air-body in the center backwards (1). The center forward then runs to receive the back pass (2), to shot on goal (3) out of the penalty area and through the air-bodies line.
The practice must be performed along both the flanks. If the defender wins the possession, he must score in the mini goal.
Variation:
1) The center forward must run toward the first pole or the second one sideways the air-bodies
2) The outer defender can run inside the penalty area to counter the shooting attempt
Eye on: save the possession under pressure, timing of runs to receive the back pass, quality of dribble and pass, mark the opponent on and recover the space to counter him.
Exercise 4: 3 v gk (1)
Set-up and Sequence: 3 players are placed in a space just a little bigger than the penalty area, as in the picture; 1 of them is in possession on the flank, 1 is placed just out of the penalty area and the third one is placed between the air bodies, in the middle of the penalty area. 1 goalkeeper is saving the regular goal. 4 air-bodies are placed like in the picture, as 2 center backs, 1 center midfielder, and 1 fullback.
The player in possession on the flank dribbles forward over the air-body, while the teammates escape the air-bodies in the center backwards (1) and in between the center backs in the middle of the penalty area. The first player out of the penalty area then runs to receive a back pass (2), to shot on goal (3) out or just inside the penalty area. The third player must be ready to control a rebound of the goalkeeper.
The move can be finished with 1 touch shot or with 2 touches. The practice must be performed along both the flanks.
Variation: the players in the middle of the penalty area must attack the first pole and the further one attacks the second pole.
Eye on: timing of runs to receive the back pass and to attack the goal, attack the ball at high tempo, quality of the finishing pass.
Exercise 5: 3 v gk (2)
Set-up and Sequence: 3 players are placed in a space just a little bigger than the penalty area, as in the picture; 1 of them is in possession inside a rectangular space on the flank, together with a teammate without the possession and a third one is placed just out of the penalty area. 1 goalkeeper is saving the regular goal. 4 air-bodies are placed like in the picture, as 2 center backs, 1 center midfielder, and 1 fullback.
The player in possession on the flank must overcome the air-body through a triangle combination play with the teammate, while the third player escapes the air-body in the center backwards. The sequence must be finished through a cross pass toward the second pole of the goal, where the center forward must shoot on the run. The support player on the flank must attack the first pole of the goal.
The practice must be performed along both the flanks.
Eye on: timing of runs to receive the cross passes and to attack the goal, quality of the triangle and of the cross passes.
Exercise 6: 3 v gk (3)
Set-up and Sequence: 3 players are placed in a space just a little bigger than the penalty area, as in the pictures; 1 of them is in possession inside a rectangular space on the flank, together with a teammate without the possession and a third one is placed just out of the penalty area. 1 goalkeeper is saving the regular goal. 4 air-bodies are placed like in the picture, as 2 center backs, 1 center midfielder, and 1 fullback.
The player in possession on the flank must overcome the air-body through a triangle combination play with the teammate, while the third player escapes the air-body in the center backwards. The sequence can be finished:
1) Through a cross pass toward the second pole of the goal, where the center forward must shoot on the run
2) The support player can decide to turn and to finish directly
3) The support player can pass the between the air-bodies and the forward must finish on the run
The practice must be performed along both the flanks.
Eye on: quick decision making, timing of runs to receive the cross pass and to attack the goal, quality of the triangle and of the cross pass.
Exercise 7: 3 v 1 + gk
Set-up and Sequence: 4 players are placed in a space just a little bigger than the penalty area, as in the pictures; 1 of them is in possession inside a rectangular space on the flank, together with a teammate without the possession and a third one is placed just out of the penalty area. 1 goalkeeper is saving the regular goal. 3 air-bodies are placed like in the picture, as 2 center backs and 1 center midfielder; a 2 v 1 duel is played on the flank. The player in possession on the flank must overcome the opponent through a triangle combination play with the teammate, while the third player escapes the air-body in the center backwards (1). The sequence can be finished as follow:
1) Through a cross pass toward the second pole of the goal where the center forward must shoot on the run (2)
2) Through a ground pass behind the air bodies line and toward the middle of the goal, where the center forward must shot running between the air bodies (3)
The support player on the flank must always attack the first pole of the goal.
If the defender wins the ball, he must dribble the ball out of the rectangular space on the flank.
The practice must be performed along both the flanks.
Eye on: attention to the development of the move, timing of runs to receive the cross pass or the ground pass and to attack the goal, quality of the triangle passing combination.
Exercise 8: 2 v 2 + gk
Set-up and Sequence: 2 players are placed in a space just a little bigger than the penalty area, as in the pictures; 1 of them is in possession inside the rectangle on the flank, the other one is placed just out of the penalty area. 1 goalkeeper is saving the regular goal. 3 air-bodies are placed like in the picture, as 2 center backs and 1 center midfielder. 2 defenders are full active, as second dropping back midfielder and fullback, who counter the player in possession in a 1 v 1 duel.
The player in possession on the flank dribbles forward winning the 1 v 1 duel, while the teammate escapes the second air-body in the center backwards (1). The center forward then runs to receive the cross pass (2), to shoot on goal (3), between the center backs and under the full pressure of the second defender.
The cross pass can be a volley pass or a ground pass and the forward can finish with 1 or 2 touches.
If the defenders win the ball, they must clean the area or play out wide to dribble out the rectangular space on the flank. The practice must be performed along both the flanks.
Variation: the center forward must run toward the first pole or the second one sideways the air-bodies.
Eye on: timing of runs to receive the cross pass, dribble saving the ball, pressure on the player in possession, closure of the spaces.
Progression: 2 v 2 + gks and counter attacks
Set-up and Sequence: this is a progression of the previous exercise. If the defenders win the possession, they can counter-attack toward a second goal with goalkeeper that is placed out of the penalty area.
If the outer defender wins the ball, the second defender in the middle, and vice versa, must finish the counter attack.
Variation: the counter-attack must be finished through a combination play.
Eye on: finish with the fewest number of touches possible, as the ball is won back.
Exercise 9: 3 v 3 + gk
Set-up and Sequence: 6 players are placed in a space just a little bigger than the penalty area, as in the pictures. 2 attacking players are placed inside the rectangle on the flank (1 of them in possession) against 1 defender: the third one is placed just out of the penalty area. 1 goalkeeper is saving the regular goal. 2 center backs are playing in the middle of the penalty area. 1 air-body is place just out of the penalty area as a center midfielder.
The player in possession on the flank must overcome the opponent through a triangle combination play with the teammate, while the third player escapes the air-body in the center backwards (1). The sequence can be finished as follow:
1) Through a cross pass toward the second pole of the goal, where the center forward must shoot on the run (2), escaping the center backs sideways
2) Through a ground pass behind the center backs line and between them and the goalkeeper, where the center forward must shoot on the run between them (3)
The support player on the flank must attack the first pole of the goal, if the other teammate attacks the further one; or he must drop back in a support position, if the teammate attacks the center of the goal.
If the support player places himself out of the penalty area, the sequence can be finished as follow:
3) Through a back pass from the goal line to the support player, if the center back runs out to cover the space, who can pass to the center forward, to shoot on goal, anticipating the center back (4)
4) Through the sideways run of the center forward, who receives the ball from the support player to shoot on goal away from the direct opponent (5)
5) Through a direct shot on goal of the support player (6)
The practice must be performed along both the flanks.
If the defenders win the ball, they must clean the area, or play out wide, dribbling the ball out the rectangular space on the flank.
Eye on: timing of runs to receive and to shoot as quickly as possible, play with high tempo to finish through a combination play.
Progression: 3 v 3 + gks and counter attacks
Set-up and Sequence: this is a progression of the previous exercise. If the defenders win the possession, they can counter attack toward a second goal with goalkeeper who is placed out of the penalty area.
If the outer defender wins the ball, the second or third defenders in the middle, and vice versa, must finish the counter-attack.
Variation: the counter-attack must be finished through a combination play.
Eye on: finish with the fewest number of touches possible, as the ball is won back.
Exercise 10: 2 v 3 + gk (1)
Set-up and Sequence: 5 players are placed in a space just a little bigger than the penalty area, as in the pictures; 1 of them is in possession inside the rectangular space on the flank against 1 opponent. The second forward is placed just out of the penalty area. 1 goalkeeper is saving the regular goal. 2 center backs are saving the middle of the penalty area; 1 air-body is placed out of it as a center midfielder. The forwards are outnumbered 2 v 3. The player in possession on the goal line and wide along the flank dribbles backward to overcome the direct opponent, while the teammate escapes the second air-body in the center backwards (1). The center forward then runs to receive the back pass and to shoot on goal out of the penalty area, anticipating the pressure of the defenders.
The practice must be performed along both the flanks.
If the defenders win the possession, they must play out along the wide rectangular area.
Variation:
1) The center forward must run toward the first pole or the second one, sideways the defenders
2) The outer defender can run inside the penalty area to counter the shot, creating a 3 v 1 duel
Eye on: save the possession under pressure, timing of runs to receive the back pass, quality of dribble and pass, pressure to recover the ball, to exploit the numerical advantage.
Exercise 11: 2 v 3 + gk (2)
Set-up and Sequence: this practice is a progression of the previous exercise.
The player in possession on the goal line and wide along the flank dribbles backward to overcome the direct opponent, while the teammate escapes the second air-body in the center backwards (1). The center forward then runs to receive the back pass (2) and to combine with the wide teammate (3), who runs inside to shot on goal (4), anticipating the pressure of the defenders.
The practice must be performed along both the flanks.
If the defenders win the possession, they must play out along the wide rectangular area.
Eye on: save the possession under pressure, timing of runs to receive the back pass, quick combination play, quality of dribble and pass, pressure to recover the ball to exploit the numerical advantage.
Variation: a second goal is added to the set-up of the previous exercise. If the defenders win the possession, they must counter-attack toward the opposition goal.
If the outer defender wins the ball, the other 2 in the middle, and vice versa, must finish the counter attack.
Eye on: finish with the fewest number of touches possible, as the ball is won back.
Exercise 12: 4 v 4 + gks
Set-up and Sequence: 2 teams of 5 players each (goalkeepers are included) are placed inside a third of a regular field. 1 outer rectangular area is marked along the flank. 1 goal is added as in the picture.
A 2 v 2 duel is played inside the outer area and another 2 v 2 duel is played in the center.
The goalkeeper of the defending team kicks the ball toward the wide area where the first 2 v 2 duel is played to create a chance to play a cross pass (volley or ground), or a back pass, toward the middle of the penalty area. The attackers look to make a pass behind the defenders.
The 2 v 2 duel without the ball in the middle is always active, as the forwards must escape the markers, looking for a space to receive and to finish, and the defenders must mark the opponents and save the goal space.
The move should be finished through a back pass or a pass between the defenders’ line and the goalkeeper. The forwards are asked to attack the goal and to be placed in a support position, to win the second times of the ball or potential rebounds.
The sequence must be performed through and along both the sides of the field.
If the defenders win the ball, they must counter-attack toward the opposition goal.
Variations:
1) The goalkeeper can pass the ball to the yellow defenders to create a 4 v 4 duel from the back to score in the regular added goal
2) If the wide defenders win the ball, the couple of players in the middle, and vice versa, must finish the move
Eye on: break through the defenders’ line, alternated runs of the forwards to finish, counter-attack with the fewer number of touches possible as the ball is won back.
Exercise 13: 4 v 4 + 1 and gks (1)
Set-up and Sequence: 2 teams of 5 players each (goalkeepers are included) are placed inside a third of a regular field. 1 neutral player is free to move all around the set-up. 1 outer rectangular area is marked along the flank. 1 goal is added as in the picture.
A 2 v 2 duel is played inside the outer area and another 2 v 2 duel is played in the center.
The goalkeeper of the defending team kicks the ball toward the neutral player, who has 4 options to start the sequence:
1) Pass wide, where a 2 v 2 duel is played to create a chance for a cross pass (volley or ground) or a back pass toward the middle of the penalty area. The attackers should look for a through pass behind the defenders.
2) Pass toward the center, where a 2 v 2 duel in played to shoot quickly; the wide area is then used as support zone for the attacking team and as playing out area for the defending team, in case of recovery of the ball.
3) Pass the ball back to the yellow center backs to build up with the goalkeeper, creating a 3 v 2 duel to attack, using the wide players as support.
4) Play wide back to the yellow defenders, playing out the rectangular area and crossing the ball toward the opposition goal to finish.
If the defending team wins the possession, wherever it is recovered and whoever is the recovering player, a 4 v 4 + 1 duel is played to counter-attack.
The sequence must be performed through and along both the sides of the field.
Eye on: break through the defenders’ line to finish or to build up to score, be clever to understand the sequence after the first neutral player touch, counter-attack with the fewest number of passes possible.
Exercise 14: 4 v 4 + 1 and gks (2)
Set-up and Sequence: 2 teams of 5 players each (goalkeepers are included) are placed inside a third of a regular field. 1 neutral player is placed as center forward among the defenders. 1 outer rectangular area is marked along the flank. 1 goal is added as in the picture. A 2 v 2 duel is played inside the outer area and another 2 + 1 v 2 duel is played in the center. The goalkeeper of the defending team kicks the ball toward the black players on the flank. The goal for the attacking team is to play to the free player, who must save the possession outnumbered and help the finishing phase that can be performed as follows:
1) Through a back pass to the first incoming player, to shoot on goal (1)
2) The first receiver after the back pass must play forward to the second teammate, who receives between the defenders, before shooting on goal (2)
If the defenders win the ball, they can counter-attack together with the neutral player to finish as soon as possible. The sequence must be performed through and along both the sides of the field.
Variations: the neutral player must be the one who shoots on goal after a combination play.
Eye on: overload an area saving the possession to free a teammate for finishing, quick ball distribution.
Exercise 15: 4 v 4 + 1 and gks (3)
Set-up and Sequence: 2 teams of 5 players each (goalkeepers are included) are placed inside a third of a regular pitch. 1 neutral player is placed in the middle among the team shapes. 1 goal is added as in the picture. A 4 v 4 + 1 duel is played.
The coach decides which team is in possession (the black one in the picture) and the attacking and defending directions of play. The neutral player is the center forward for the attacking team and the one who must finish and score.
If the defenders win the ball, they can counter-attack together with the neutral player to finish as soon as possible; all the players, and the red one, too, can shoot on goal.
Variations: the neutral player supports the new defending team, if the possession is lost after the first phase of the exercise.
Eye on: quick ball distribution and finishing phase.
