Annual training plan · U14–U23

Week 25: Shooting Under Pressure

3 complete training sessions with 12 drills – created by licensed coaches. Open every drill in the easy2coach web app with one click.

This week’s focus

Players are usually very excited when the balls are placed just outside the penalty area and they simply shoot at goal. This of course trains the dead ball. And free kicks are definitely part of finishing practice too.

However, finishing should also be trained in match-realistic ways. Because most goals scored inside the penalty area are scored first time and under heavy pressure from opponents.

This training week, finishing is trained in a very varied way. Besides finishes from close range, players also work on long-range shots and converting crosses.

Besides the different finishing situations, attention is of course also paid to different finishing techniques and shooting with both feet. However, the choice of finishing technique depends very much on the match situation anyway.

  • Side-foot shot: particularly suitable for precise first-time finishes from close range
  • Laces shot: technique for particularly powerful shots. The laces shot is especially suitable for long-range shots. Nevertheless, accuracy should come before power here too.
  • Outside-of-the-instep shot / toe poke: The toe poke is regarded as a rather frowned-upon technique, but alongside the two kicking techniques mentioned, it is particularly suitable for shots without a back-lift. This technique can therefore provide an element of surprise.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

After a 6+1 vs 2 rondo, a 1 vs 1 drill is carried out. However, it works not only on dribbling and duels, but also on finishing and on transition play.

The 3rd exercise then trains finishing intensively for 25 minutes. At a total of 4 stations, the players finish both from dribbling outside the penalty area and first time after a delivery. To convert the cross, a header or a side-foot shot is the right choice, depending on its height. For finishes from dribbling, the instep drive is suitable.

The session ends with a 3 vs 3 small-sided game with an extra player. Thanks to the extra player, the game should produce a great many finishes. Encourage your players to be direct and go for goal.

Coaching points for this session
  • Do not hesitate when a chance to finish arises
  • Only pass if the team-mate is clearly better positioned
  • Finish with both feet
  • Before the finish, look at the goal and goalkeeper once more
Drill 1

Rondo - 6+1 vs 2

15 min

The game is played 6 + 1 vs 2 for possession.

  • The players in possession try to pass the ball among themselves without the defenders winning it or playing it out of the area.
  • The player inside the area acts as a passing option for the outside players.
  • If the defenders win the ball, the player who lost it swaps position and role with the defender who has been in the middle the longest.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: The playing area is set up with six cones.

Equipment: 6 cones and at least 1 ball.

Players: Six players are positioned on the outside, three in the middle. One of the inside players plays together with the outside players.

Coaching points
  • Depending on the ability of the players, have every pass or every second pass played first time.
  • Demand passing with both feet.
Drill 2

Shot After Dribbling in the 1 vs 1

20 min
  • The first players of both teams set off at the same time, dribble through the cones and then shoot at the goal on their left as they see it.
  • A ball is then played into the area and the two players play 1 vs 1 on the mini goals.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Eight cones form two dribbling courses; plus two youth goals and two mini goals.

Equipment: 2 youth goals, 2 mini goals, 8 cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams.

Coaching points
  • Transition immediately after the finish in order to be ready for the 1 vs 1.
Drill 3

Finishing Drill with Cone Dribbling

20 min
  • On a call the first players of each queue start at the same time; four players are always involved in one round.
  • At position 2 the player pushes the ball forward and shoots at goal immediately.
  • At position 1 the player first completes the slalom course with the ball and then finishes immediately afterwards.
  • Meanwhile Player 3 plays the ball out to the wide position, and Player 4 delivers a cross, if possible first time and on the run.
  • After Players 1 and 2 have shot at goal, they cross their running paths and try to convert the cross.
  • After the execution it is the turn of the next group; the four players move on one position in the next round.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four stations with a slalom course of cones and a goal.

Equipment: 8 cones, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Four stations with one player each. The players at positions A, B and C have a ball.

Coaching points
  • Pay attention to precise timing.
  • Gradually increase the tempo of the drill.
Drill 4

Small-Sided Game: 3 vs 3 + 1

25 min
  • The game is 3 vs 3 with one neutral support player playing with the team in possession.
  • The support player may not be challenged. To keep up the pace and intensity, the support player is given a touch limit — ideally one or two touches.
  • The remaining players have three touches; two are also possible.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: About ten cones mark out the playing area; two full-size goals stand at the ends.

Equipment: 2 full-size goals, 10 cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams of three plus one neutral support player.

Coaching points
  • Use the numerical advantage cleverly.
  • Finish quickly.
The complete session as a ready-made training plan – with animated drills in the web app. Go to the web app

Session 2

4 drills

Close to goal, the key is to keep a cool head and find the right moment to finish. However, the finish usually comes too late. This can have different causes:

  • The player cuts once more to get the ball onto the strong foot. Encourage your players to be brave and finish with their “weaker” foot too
  • There is a lack of conviction to shoot from long range
  • Opponents are between the goal and the shooter. It should be remembered, however, that goals are quite often scored from a deflected shot.

Now and then, however, a pass is the better option compared with a finish. This is usually down to a lack of awareness. The better-positioned player is simply overlooked.

Coaching points for this session
  • Finish with both feet
  • Finish from longer distances too
  • Look for the pass if the team-mate is clearly better positioned
Drill 1

Pole Forest Finishing

20 minAs shown in the graphic
  • Two players dribble to the forest of poles and through it as quickly as possible.
  • While they are in the forest of poles, the coach throws a coloured cone into the penalty area.
  • As soon as the players come out of the forest of poles, they finish on the goal of the same colour.
  • Whoever scores first wins the round.

Variations: The coach throws three coloured cones into the penalty area; the goal that must be hit is the one whose colour does not appear.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: A forest of poles is set up in front of the penalty area. On the goal line 4 mini goals stand next to each other, in front of each one lies a cone in its own colour. The four matching cones of the same colours lie with the coach next to the penalty area.

Equipment: 4 mini goals, 8 cones in 4 colours, poles and several balls.

Players: Two players start per round, plus a coach who calls the colour.

Coaching points
  • Train with both feet.
  • Look up from the ball when dribbling.
Drill 2

Crossing Runs

20 minHalf a pitch
  • The striker starts with a pass to the crossing player.
  • The crossing player sprints to the cone, receives the ball into the run and plays it to the striker first time, low and hard.
  • After the pass, the striker sprints towards the goal, jumps over the hurdle and tries to convert the cross first time.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Three cones mark the positions, a hurdle stands on the striker's way to the goal; a goal stands at one end.

Equipment: 1 goal, 1 hurdle, 3 cones and several balls.

Players: One crossing player and one striker; in addition one goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Cross low and precisely.
  • Deliver the cross about three to five metres before the goal line.
Drill 3

Finishing with Passing and Opponents

15 min
  • Player A dribbles from the starting cone towards the two nearest poles.
  • At the same time Player B starts the run along the pole.
  • On arriving there, Player A plays a pass in behind.
  • Player B runs onto the ball and finishes on goal first time or after a short first touch and taking the ball in stride.
  • After each round the positions are changed.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Three poles and two starting cones mark the running paths; a goal stands at one end.

Equipment: 1 goal, 3 poles, 2 cones and several balls.

Players: The players spread out evenly at the two starting cones; in addition one goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Before the finish, look up once more at the goal and the goalkeeper.
  • Move parallel to the poles.
  • Set off with the pass in behind and watch out for offside.
Drill 4

Finishing Training: Finishing Game

25 minFrom the penalty area to the halfway line
  • At the start the first team plays against the second team.
  • In the meantime the third team jogs outside the pitch, also with various running exercises.
  • As soon as a team has scored two goals, the third team replaces the loser.
  • The team that comes onto the pitch has possession at the start.
  • The finish must follow after three passes.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the pitch; two full-size goals stand at the ends.

Equipment: 2 full-size goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Three groups of four; in addition goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Get into a good finishing position through clever and active showing for the ball and getting free.
  • Do not hesitate, but finish purposefully.
  • Finish with both feet.

Session 3

4 drills

The last training session on finishing is about converting deliveries. This naturally requires good kicking and heading technique in order to put the ball into the goal first time, with power and accuracy. However, the movement into the box is also a decisive factor in creating a goal-scoring chance in the first place.

A common mistake is that the players make their runs too early. As a result, the header is usually taken from a standing position, which puts less power behind it and makes things easy for the defender. It also becomes harder to reach the ball if the cross is a little longer. A cross that tends to be a little shorter is easier to reach, because the run is made diagonally towards the cross.

Because crosses in a match are played on the move under pressure from opponents, it becomes harder to play them accurately. That is why it is important that all the dangerous spaces in the penalty area are attacked – near post, far post and the cut-back area.

Coaching points for this session
  • Run in diagonally towards the cross and the goal
  • Attack the cut-back area, near post and far post
  • Do not run in too early
  • Arch the back to build up tension
  • Meet the ball with the flat of the forehead
Drill 1

Coordination and First Touch Under Load

15 min
  • Players A and B start at the same time.
  • They run over the hurdles with two contacts in between each time.
  • At Station 2 Player A receives a half-high ball from Player C and plays it back with the inside of the foot or the laces; then Player A runs around the cone to Station 3.
  • At Station 3 Player A runs over the rings.
  • At Station 4 Player A receives a chest-high ball from Player D, controls it with the chest and plays it back — with the laces, the inside of the foot or a drop kick.
  • After that Player A runs around the cone back to the starting station.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six to eight low hurdles, ten rings and two tall cones form a course with four stations.

Equipment: 6 to 8 low hurdles, 10 rings, 2 tall cones and 2 balls.

Players: Players A and B work through the course, Players C and D act as feeders.

Coaching points
  • Always include the weaker foot in the return passes as well.
  • Also include heading at Station 4.
Drill 2

Handball Heading Game

15 min
  • Both teams pass the ball to each other by hand.
  • With the ball in the hands, a maximum of three steps may be taken; the ball is passed on by then at the latest, without stopping.
  • Goals may only be scored with the head after a pass from a team-mate; setting the ball up for oneself is not allowed.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area; a goal stands at one side.

Equipment: 1 goal, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams.

Coaching points
  • Demand active getting free from the players.
Drill 3

Crossing Competition | Crossing Training

20 min
  • One pair of players from a team starts from the centre and receives a cross that is to be converted.
  • The two players then receive a cross from the other side, which must be finished on the other goal.

Variations:

  • Headed goals count double.
  • Play without a defender; to increase the intensity a defender can intervene.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area and the outer zones; two goals stand at the ends.

Equipment: 2 goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams with pairs of players in the centre as well as one crosser each in the wing zone; goalkeepers stand in the goals. An opponent can additionally be positioned in the wing zone.

Coaching points
  • Do not make the run in too early.
  • Move away from the ball.
  • Make the run in diagonally towards the crosser and the goal.
  • The players attack the near post and the far post.
  • The crosses are always played on the move.
Drill 4

2 vs 2 with Crossers

20 minDouble penalty area
  • The game is played 2 vs 2 in the central zone.
  • The crossers are available to whichever team is attacking.
  • If a team wins the ball in its own half, the ball goes immediately to one of the two crossers, who crosses into the centre or lays the ball back into the space at the edge of the box.
  • If a team wins the ball in the opponents' half, it must finish as quickly as possible in the 2 vs 2.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the playing area with a central zone and both of its halves; there are two goals at the ends.

Equipment: Cones, 2 goals and several balls.

Players: Two teams of two in the central zone as well as two crossers in each half of the playing area; in addition goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Act with one or two touches in the wide positions.
  • Look up from the ball shortly before the delivery.
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