Possession to Finish

By Sean Pearson

Area Size: Central Area: 18 x 22 yards, End Zones 18 x 10 yards

Teams: 5 v 5 + 1

Time: 20 Minutes

Objectives

To pull defenders out of position
To create chances to finish
To make players aware of the different finishes available depending on the scenario

I feel a lot of coaches and teams in general focus a lot of time on possession. I think it is important to progress players and teams technically and tactically. However, when has possession scored a goal? Never. You can argue, well the possession lead to the chance being created and they scored from it, well yes but did the actual possession score? No. You see this a lot with teams, 60, 70% possession and they tied or even lost with their opponents. Possession doesn’t win games alone, you need to create chances to score from. Goals win games.

Personally I also want to dominate a game, I want my team to have the ball the most, but I want them to create scoring opportunities from it each time they possess it, not just keep it for the sake of it. So now instead of just doing possession we are going to look at possession to creating a scoring chance.
First set up both teams in a diamond with the neutral in the middle, I prefer the diamond as it has more lines to play and has natural width and depth. Players are only allowed in the end zone once the ball is played into it, like an offside line. Start with your GK, have your CB move to the opposite side of the GK, this is to move the Striker out of position towards them. The pass is then played to a wide player.

Possession to Finish1

As the wide player is pressured, the neutral is open in the middle of the field to receive the ball. The neutral stands with an open body shape for their first touch to be forward. They also receive communication from other players to ‘turn’ or ‘go forwards’ (If the neutral player is marked use the GK or CB to switch the field until the neutral becomes open).
As the ball is played to the neutral the striker moves away from the opposition CB and the wide player runs down the line. This now creates confusion and the opposition need to make decisions, you are also 3 v 3 (including the GK).

Possession to Finish2

If both defenders decide to go with the player they are marking, this now allows the neutral player space to run with the ball forward and shoot. The shot should be with their laces aiming for the corners of the goal. Both the striker and wide midfielder should also continue their run towards the GK in case they spill the shot or can get a rebound.

Possession to Finish3

As defenders become wise at the neutral getting all the shots, eventually one will pressure to stop them shooting. This is when they play someone else in to finish. If the CB steps forward to pressure the neutral slides the Striker in, with a pass into the space for them to run on to. Depending on their position this would be shooting across the GK with their right foot, with laces or inside. Or it would be curling it into the far corner with the inside of their left. This would switch if the striker was on the opposite side.

Possession to Finish4

Alternatively, the neutral can play in the wide midfielder and they can either use one of the two previously mentioned techniques to finish. Make sure after every shot players are following up the shot. This pressures the GK and creates a mentality of wanting to score which translates to games.

Possession to Finish5