By George Kee
This is a finishing exercise that aims to get players comfortable in the penalty area. Many players seem to get flustered and lose composure in front of the net. This session is designed to get players comfortable passing the ball around the goal in order to find the right opportunity to shoot.
Area Size: Penalty box
# Of Players: 19-20
Time: 20 minutes
Set up: At the top of the penalty area balls are placed in groups of 3 on each corner and the middle. Attacking players are arranged in the box while defenders are in 3 lines on the goal line.
Execution: Attacking players will get a ball from one of the cones and play it into the area looking to score. 3 defenders will step on and defend. Once the ball has been scored or played out of bounds 3 new defenders will switch on and the attacking team will play another ball in.
Ball circulation: Players should look to circulate the ball to the open area in order to have the best possible shot.
- Encourage players to pass the ball in one or two touches in order to find the free teammate.
- Players should have their first touch slightly out in front of them and on the dominate foot so that their second touch can be the finish.
- Players should keep an open body position so that they can always see the goal and be in a position to finish
Rebounds: This is a good exercise to stress the importance of players following shots to take advantage of deflections or dropped balls by the keeper. Often times shots blocked from this close will be spilled into the box for an easy tap in.
Progression: This time place six balls on the sides of the penalty area to be served in after the initial nine have been played. These balls can be placed at various spots to re-create service from different angles.
Coaching Points
• Circulate the ball quickly to find open teammate
• Composure to find pass or take shot
• Body position open to face goal
• Players tend to keep their head down in the box so communication is vital for players to know if the shot is on or the pass is necessary.
Variations/Progressions
• 2 points for shots that are finished first time.
• 2 points for headers or volleys
• add a 4th defender
Originally from San Antonio, Texas, George moved to northern California in 2014 to take over as the head soccer coach at Lassen College. In his brief time with the program George has won an undefeated conference title, coached four players of the year, and won three Coach of the Year Awards.
