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One of the keys elements of finishing is accuracy. Power is nice, but it's
a distant second in priority. In the past, I have always stressed the need
for shooting with the instep. Though, I don't want to downgrade the importance
of this technique, I am starting to believe it is more meaningful to emphasize
first and foremost accuracy by "passing" the ball into the goal. Power
can be trained later after the player understands a slow roller into the
goal is worth more than a rocket shot not on frame.
Warm-up -- Set up two lines (of 1 to 2 players), six to eight yards
apart (goal post width); these two lines are directly across from two other
lines of players; the distance between the sets of two lines are ten to
fifteen yards (coach should adjust to player age and ability).
A2 C2
A1 C1
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V V
B1 D1
B2 D2
A1 passes straight across to B1 and follows the pass to the B line; B1
receives, makes an angled pass to C1 and follows pass to C line; C1 receives,
makes a straight ahead pass to D1 and follows pass to D line; D1 makes
an angled pass to A2, etc.
Warm-up Progression
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Ask players to pass with specified foot
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Restrict number of touches to control ball before making next pass
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Switch to an instep pass, if accuracy can be maintained
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At some point, have the team envision that each line is a goal post;
the straight ahead passes are to the near post, the angled passes are to
the far post
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Ask the players to pass to the inside foot of the receiving player
(i.e., inside the post)
Warm-up Coaching Points:
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Ensure the inside of the foot is used to pass (as this normally is
the most accurate type of pass for a player)
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Play should be continuous, have extra balls ready between groups A
& C and groups B & D. Bad passes can be chased down by the passer
while the next player puts a new ball back into play
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Make sure receptions are toward the target
Shooting Drill:
Setup -- Structure the drill exactly like the warm-up, except with a goal
between groups A and C. When A passes to B, B finishes with an angled pass
to the far post; when C passes to D, D finishes with an angled pass to
his/her far post
Drill Progression:
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Change drill so that A passes across to D who finishes (to the near
post) with a straight on pass; C passes across to D who finishes with a
straight on pass
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Restrict number of touches before shot
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Use instep (if accuracy can be maintained)
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Add a GK; initially position the GK away from the post the players
will be shooting; that is, the GK should be shaded toward the side that
makes the initial pass
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Let the GK be active and allow the attacker to finish to the appropriate
post and appropriate part of foot
Drill Coaching Points:
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Stress accuracy, not power, constantly
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The position of body and support foot should be towards the finishing
point
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Have player look up to side of goal they are finishing; when GK added,
player should look to near post, if not covered shoot there, else go to
far post (do not look at or try to find the GK)
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Make sure player is looking at the ball at the point when the shot
is taken
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Team and coaches should reinforce every made goal with some kind of
positive exaltation; save the loudest for the accurate goal as the power
shot will get its fair share of "oohs" and "aaahs."
--Thanks to: Gary Rue,
KY HS and Select
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