Training sessions by topic

Shooting and finishing training: 2 ready-made sessions

Complete finishing sessions for youth and adult teams – with drills, organisation and coaching points.

Shooting Training

4 drills

This practice format focuses on shooting. All the drills are geared towards getting to a finish as often as possible under pressure.

Drill 1

Handball-Volley-Header on the Double Goal

20 min20 x 40 metres
  • The two teams play against each other with 2 balls.
  • The aim is to score through the opponents' goals and at the same time prevent goals against.
  • The ball may only be played on with the hand.
  • A ball played with the hand may only be caught after it has touched the ground.
  • Goals may not be scored with the hand, only directly out of the air, for example with a header or a volley.
  • Balls played with a header or a volley may be caught directly.

Variations:

  • The balls may only be played on with a throw-in.
  • Play with neutral players who create a permanent numerical advantage and thus allow more finishes.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Mark out an area of about 20 x 40 metres with four cones. Set up 4 goals in total, one in the centre of each of the two goal lines and two back to back on the halfway line. The goals are arranged so that the goals facing in the same direction each belong to one team, so every team attacks one goal-line goal and one goal in the middle of the area.

Equipment: 4 cones, 4 goals, bibs in two colours, 2 balls.

Players: Two teams.

Coaching points
  • Create width, play quickly and run into the free zones with changes of position; that creates more danger in front of goal.
Drill 2

Finishing Competition I

20 min20 x 40 metres
  • The two teams compete against each other in a finishing competition.
  • On the starting signal, Player 1 and Player 4 dribble into the playing area and try to score on goal B and goal C respectively.
  • They then run into the opposite area, receive a pass there from Player 2 and Player 3 respectively and finish first time on goal D and goal A respectively.
  • While the players waiting behind move up and start the next round, Player 1 and Player 2 as well as Player 3 and Player 4 swap positions.

Scoring: As soon as the first team has used up all its balls, count who has scored more goals. If the score is level, the team that finished first wins.

Variations:

  • To train both feet, move the starting and passing positions to the other side and specify which foot is used to pass or shoot.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Mark out an area of about 20 x 40 metres with cones and divide it across the middle into two equally sized areas. Set up 4 goals in total: goal A in the centre of one goal line, goal D in the centre of the opposite goal line, and goal B and goal C back to back on the halfway line, so that goal B faces into one area and goal C into the other.

Equipment: Cones, 4 goals, bibs in two colours, enough balls.

Players: Two teams; each goal is manned by a goalkeeper. Four starting positions are marked with flat markers: Player 1 at one corner of one area, Player 2 to the side on the halfway line, Player 3 on the opposite side, also on the halfway line, and Player 4 at the diagonally opposite corner of the other area. Behind every starting position the remaining players wait with balls.

Coaching points
  • The players should work out for themselves when to finish. The closer the finish, the higher the chance of scoring.
  • The goalkeepers may come out and intercept an inaccurate pass.
  • The passers may dribble 1 to 2 steps in order to act realistically.
Drill 3

Finishing Competition II

20 min20 x 40 metres
  • The two teams compete against each other in a finishing competition.
  • On the starting signal, Player 2 of the first team plays the ball to the central player, who lays it off so that Player 2 finishes on goal A.
  • In the second team, Player 3 plays to the central player and finishes on goal D after the lay-off.
  • The central player then takes over the position of Player 2 and Player 3 respectively. This player controls the pass from Player 1 and Player 4 respectively, lays it off, and Player 1 and Player 4 respectively finish on goal B and goal C respectively.
  • Finishes may only be taken first time.

Scoring: As soon as the first team has used up all its balls, count who has scored more goals. If the score is level, the team that finished first wins.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Mark out an area of about 20 x 40 metres with cones and divide it across the middle into two equally sized areas. Set up 4 goals in total: goal A in the centre of one goal line, goal D in the centre of the opposite goal line, and goal B and goal C back to back on the halfway line.

Equipment: Cones, 4 goals, bibs in two colours, enough balls.

Players: Two teams; each goal is manned by a goalkeeper. Each team has one player as a central player in one of the two areas, the remaining players spread out over the four starting positions 1 to 4 marked with flat markers, which lie at the corners and to the side on the halfway line.

Coaching points
  • The teams should keep the pace high in order to secure an advantage in the number of attempts.
  • Stand on the toes in order to react quickly.
  • When shooting, the standing foot points in the target direction. The ankle of the shooting leg is stabilised by pulling up the toes, which ensures accuracy and power.
Drill 4

Small-Sided Game Finishing

30 min20 x 40 metres, divided in the middle
  • A 3 vs 3 with one neutral player is played in both areas at the same time.
  • The neutral player acts exclusively for the team in possession but may not score.
  • A goal also counts if the ball misses the goal in the team's own area but goes into the goal in the other area.
  • After 10 minutes the teams are changed.

Variations:

  • Limit the number of touches.
  • Set a time limit for the finish.
  • Every player in a team must have touched the ball before the finish.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Mark out an area of about 20 x 40 metres with cones and divide it across the middle into two equally sized areas. There is one goal on each of the two goal lines; on the halfway line two further goals stand back to back, so that each of the two areas has two goals.

Equipment: Cones, 4 goals, bibs in three colours, balls.

Players: Two teams plus one neutral player per area in a separate bib colour. Each goal is manned by a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Pay attention to quick transition after winning and losing the ball, as both goals stand very close to each other.

Shooting Training II

4 drills

In this practice format, shooting is to be practised in combination with the first touch and taking the ball in stride under pressure.

Drill 1

Finishing Contest I

20 min20 to 25 metres between the goals
  • Two teams compete against each other, each team occupies one flat marker next to each goal.
  • Both teams play diagonal high balls at the same time. These have to be controlled and then shot at the opposite goal at the player's own discretion.
  • As soon as a player has finished, that team may play the next ball.
  • The passer then joins the queue of the shooters, the shooter joins the queue of the passers.

Scoring: Whoever scores more goals by the end of the round wins. If the number of goals is equal, the team that took the last shot first wins.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Set up 2 goals opposite each other at a distance of 20 to 25 metres. 5 metres to the side of the goals there are 4 flat markers in total, so two at each goal.

Equipment: 2 goals, 4 flat markers, bibs in two colours, balls.

Players: The 4 flat markers are occupied by players who receive balls. Each team occupies two diagonally opposite flat markers and therefore has one station at each goal. Both goals are manned by a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • The players should produce high-quality shots under time pressure, and that starts with a precise first touch.
  • With high balls, a good judgement of the flight path and the corresponding positioning are what matter.
  • So that the ball does not bounce away, stabilise the ankle by pulling up the toes and take the ball directly into the running direction.
  • A stable ankle is needed for the shot as well. The standing foot points in the target direction, the shooting leg is swung through.
  • Have different shooting techniques used, such as the instep or the inside of the foot.
Drill 2

Finishing Contest II

20 min20 to 25 metres between the goals
  • Two teams compete against each other, each team occupies one flat marker next to each goal.
  • Both teams play diagonal high balls at the same time. These have to be controlled, a shot may only be taken after crossing the halfway line.
  • After the pass the passer runs into the playing area immediately and tries to prevent the finish of the opponent.
  • As soon as both balls are out of play, the next players start.
  • The passer then joins the queue of the shooters, the shooter joins the queue of the passers.

Scoring: Whoever scores more goals by the end of the round wins. If the number of goals is equal, the team that took the last shot first wins.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Set up 2 goals opposite each other at a distance of 20 to 25 metres. 5 metres to the side of the goals there are 4 flat markers in total, two further flat markers mark the halfway line at the sides.

Equipment: 2 goals, 6 flat markers, bibs in two colours, balls.

Players: The 4 flat markers next to the goals are occupied by players who receive balls. Each team occupies two diagonally opposite flat markers and therefore has one station at each goal. Both goals are manned by a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • The players should produce high-quality shots under time pressure, and that starts with a precise first touch.
  • With high balls, a good judgement of the flight path and the corresponding positioning are what matter.
  • So that the ball does not bounce away, stabilise the ankle by pulling up the toes and take the ball directly into the running direction.
  • A stable ankle is needed for the shot as well. The standing foot points in the target direction, the shooting leg is swung through.
Drill 3

Finishing Contest III

20 min20 to 25 metres between the goals
  • Two teams compete against each other, each team occupies one flat marker next to each goal.
  • The first team plays a high ball to its team-mate. This player controls it and runs into the opposite half of the pitch, and after crossing the halfway line may finish.
  • As soon as this player has crossed the halfway line, the second team plays its ball to its own team-mate, who also tries to get across the halfway line.
  • After finishing, the player of the first team tries to defend against the opponent's ball.
  • The next player of the first team starts as soon as the second team has crossed the halfway line or lost the ball.
  • The passer then joins the queue of the shooters, the shooter joins the queue of the passers.

Scoring: Whoever scores more goals by the end of the round wins. If the number of goals is equal, the team that took the last shot first wins.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Set up 2 goals opposite each other at a distance of 20 to 25 metres. 5 metres to the side of the goals there are 4 flat markers in total, two further flat markers mark the halfway line at the sides.

Equipment: 2 goals, 6 flat markers, bibs in two colours, balls.

Players: The 4 flat markers next to the goals are occupied by players who receive balls. Each team occupies the two flat markers on one side, so that the passes run along the touchline. Both goals are manned by a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • The players should produce high-quality shots under time pressure, and that starts with a precise first touch.
  • With high balls, a good judgement of the flight path and the corresponding positioning are what matter.
  • So that the ball does not bounce away, stabilise the ankle by pulling up the toes and take the ball directly into the running direction.
  • A stable ankle is needed for the shot as well. The standing foot points in the target direction, the shooting leg is swung through.
Drill 4

Small-Sided Game Finishing

30 min20 x 40 metres, divided in the middle
  • A 3 vs 3 with one neutral player is played in both areas at the same time.
  • The neutral player acts exclusively for the team in possession but may not score.
  • A goal also counts if the ball misses the goal in the team's own area but goes into the goal in the other area.
  • After 10 minutes the teams are changed.

Variations:

  • Limit the number of touches.
  • Set a time limit for the finish.
  • Every player in a team must have touched the ball before the finish.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Mark out an area of about 20 x 40 metres with cones and divide it across the middle into two equally sized areas. There is one goal on each of the two goal lines; on the halfway line two further goals stand back to back, so that each of the two areas has two goals.

Equipment: Cones, 4 goals, bibs in three colours, balls.

Players: Two teams plus one neutral player per area in a separate bib colour. Each goal is manned by a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Pay attention to quick transition after winning and losing the ball, as both goals stand very close to each other.

More topics

2 ready-made sessionsIndoor trainingSessions for the sports hall – under-8s to under-11s.2 ready-made sessionsIndoor training for under-7sBall familiarisation and games for the youngest players.2 ready-made sessions1v1 duels1v1 with an opponent behind and side-on.2 ready-made sessionsWing playAttacking down the wings, crosses and overlaps.2 ready-made sessionsBack fourDefending as a back four and in rest defence.2 ready-made sessionsOverloadsPossession with a numerical advantage and transitions.1 ready-made sessionSet piecesCorners, free kicks and throw-ins.
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