By Sean Pearson
Area: 45x35yards
Players: 12
Teams: 2
Length: 20-25mins
A lot of players I have coached tend to be hesitant of when to strike the ball at goal as well as be almost shy to shoot in case they miss. So instead of shoot they ‘pass the buck’ and let the next player have the chance to shoot and so on and so on. All because they are afraid of not scoring. Here is the kicker, unless they practice and learn from their misses they will not improve. They need to want to have the ‘need to achieve’ drive instead of the ‘avoid failure’ mentality.
Objectives
- To be positive/attack minded
- Encourage more shots on goal
- To educate players where, why and how to shoot
The area is split in to 3 zones, two larger zones with a small ‘shooting zone’ in the middle. This practice encourages players to shoot from long and short range. Have 3+GKv2 in each half, no-one is allowed inside the shooting zone unless you have the ball. Once you enter the shooting zone with the ball you 2 seconds to get the shot away (using your laces), you are not allowed to pass in the shooting zone at the moment. With effectively 4v2 you should be able to spread your team out to utilize the overload for a player to take the ball into the shooting zone to shoot from distance. If you score you keep possession and start from you GK. If you miss or the GK saves, the other team attacks, if the 2 defenders win possession or can reach a rebound they can shoot at goal (using the insides) or pas backwards if there is not a shooting chance.
Progression 1
As the shot count begins to increase we must refine when, why and how players take shots. We do not want to discourage shots but as coaches we must make players aware of the best option presented to them. Tell the defending team to aim to stop the direct long shot by closing the space in front of an oncoming attacker. There are now a couple of options, either the attacker curls a shot with the inside of their foot around the defender, aiming for the corner of the goal or a striker moves into space to receive a pass and they themselves shoot. The strikers would aim to place a shot where there is space to do so. This works best when all the defenders become close together, to deny space for the long shot.
Progression 2
Now when the defense begins to stay goal side of the strikers and drop back to deny the close range shot the attackers can play to the striker’s feet and (A) move into the shooting zone asking for a set in order to shoot. Or (B) Have another player make a forward run into space in the striker’s section.
Variations
- Allow a defender (from either direction) into the shooting zone to pressure the shooter.
- With larger numbers go 3v3, 4v3 or have a neutral that can move through all 3 zones.
- Longer diagonal balls from deep to work on heading (for advanced teams).
Coaching Points
- Long distance (inside shooting zone) shoot with laces aim for sides of goal
- Closer to the goal use inside of foot for finesse.
- See when, how and why to shoot.
- Be positive and ‘want to score’
By Sean Pearson. Sean is also the author Coaching Team Shape in the 3-3-1, Coaching Team Shape in the 4-2-3-1 and Coaching Team Shape in the 4-3-3
