Annual training plan · U9–U13

Week 44: Unopposed Shooting & Passing

2 complete training sessions with 8 drills – created by licensed coaches. Open every drill in the easy2coach web app with one click.

This week’s focus

The coronavirus crisis has brought sport almost completely to a standstill. Including, of course, the team sport of football, which is also characterised by duels, celebrating goals together, the crush in the penalty area at corners or the occasional melee after a reckless tackle. All match situations in which players are very close to each other and which do not exactly help to contain the pandemic.

Nevertheless, we coaches long for football to return and hope that team training will soon be possible again. Most professional teams have already gone back to training in small groups, and in amateur football, too, many players have certainly trained on their own so that they are fit when things start again. The easing of contact restrictions, which is coming into force step by step, gives hope that training as a team will soon be possible again.

But how can team training be organised in times of coronavirus? It would be irresponsible of us coaches to carry on straight away as before the restrictions. It should of course be ensured that there is always an appropriate distance between everyone involved in training. This starts with the greeting, continues in the changing room and should then also be put into practice on the pitch.

As mentioned at the start, football thrives on physical contact. Duels in particular are an essential part of the sport and help players perform practices under pressure. However, it would be too simple to think that match-realistic training is impossible without duels. Pressure situations can also be created with time limits or competitions. In addition, there are plenty of training topics that can be trained effectively without duels and that guarantee sufficient distance between players.

This week, different types of finish are trained – from the first-time finish at close range to the long-range shot after a dribble. The different finishing situations should also expand or refresh the repertoire of shooting techniques. In addition, players should be encouraged to shoot at goal bravely, without hesitating. A pass should only be played if the team-mate is in a clearly better shooting position.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

In Exercise 3 of this session, a drill is carried out that resembles a game of table football. The players can move almost only sideways within their zone. Directly in front of the goal is a line of 3 defenders. The attackers cannot beat them with a dribble or a pass in behind. This means that there will always be 3 opponents between ball and goal when finishing.

Shots at goal without defenders in the way can of course be created through combination play. This requires firm passes, quick control of the ball and sudden changes of direction. In addition, the players can also reach into their bag of tricks to open up a way to goal. Passing and shooting feints are particularly helpful here. It is important that these feints are performed convincingly so that the opponent is lured out of position. It is therefore helpful to point out to the players that the kicking leg should be drawn back clearly and visibly.

But even if the players move the ball quickly and use feints, it will probably take a few passes before a shooting lane opens up. To make this drill a little more match-realistic, however, you can limit the passes within a row. This forces the players to finish after a few passes, even if there are opponents in the shooting lane.

However, this need not be an obstacle at all. Goals regularly come from deflected shots that become unstoppable for the goalkeeper. Especially in chaotic match situations, such as after corners, a low, powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area goes into the goal even though, or perhaps precisely because, an opponent's foot still touches the ball.

Coaching points for this session

Tips for ensuring distance between the players:

  • Tell your players before training that they should keep their distance from one another
  • Spread the players across several changing rooms, if possible
  • In drills in which the players queue in a line, you can set up cones to ensure distance
Drill 1

Passes with Ball Control

15 min
  • The players play the ball back and forth through the passing gates.
  • The ball is played with the left foot, with the right foot, first time and with the second touch, each for a while.
  • The players never stand still but are always moving slightly forwards and backwards.
  • They also always move towards the pass.

Note: The aim of the drill is more accurate passing.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Two cones each form a two-metre-wide cone goal. The two players of a pair face each other some distance apart on either side of the goal and play the ball to each other through it.

Equipment: Cones and one ball per two players.

Players: Two players per cone goal.

Coaching points
  • Drop back after every pass in order to be able to move towards the next pass.
  • Work on the balls of the feet.
  • Increase the pace of the passes step by step.
  • Lean the upper body over the ball and avoid leaning back.
  • Vary the distances between the players.
Drill 2

Shooting Duel

20 min
  • The players perform various tricks and turning techniques in the feint star.
  • If the coach calls out two names or two areas, the players concerned turn towards the goal on their side as quickly as possible.
  • They finish into the specified corner marked with a bib.
  • Whoever hits the correct corner first gets a point.
  • The players then swap feint stars.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: For each player, six cones form a feint star; at the ends there are two youth goals whose corners are marked with bibs in two colours.

Equipment: 2 youth goals, 6 cones per player, 4 bibs in two colours and one ball per player.

Players: All players work at their own feint star at the same time.

Coaching points
  • Keep the ball close.
  • Finish with both feet.
Drill 3

3 vs 3 vs 3 vs 3 with a Shot at Goal

25 min
  • The goalkeeper passes the ball to one of the three yellow players in the first area.
  • They try to pass the ball into the third area to the three attacking yellow players.
  • The attacking players try to create a shooting chance with quick passing sequences and to finish.
  • If the red players intercept the ball in the second area, they may also finish straight away.

Note: The aim of the defensive back threes is to close the passing lanes by shifting across in a triangle or crescent shape; the aim of the attack is to get through the back three with quick passing.

Variations: Limit the number of passes within an area.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area and the four sub-areas; there are two goals at the ends.

Equipment: 2 goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams; three players each are distributed across the four sub-areas. Plus goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Create finishing chances with quick switches of play as well as pass and shot feints.
  • Work with few touches.
Drill 4

Triple Finish

25 minHalf a pitch
  • The first player in the line dribbles forward briefly and finishes.
  • That player then receives a hard ground pass from the corner of the penalty area and finishes first time.
  • After that the player receives a thrown ball from a player next to the goal and tries to head it into the goal.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: One cone marks the starting position centrally in front of the penalty area; at one end there is a goal with a goalkeeper. Enough balls are ready at both corners of the goal line and next to the goal.

Equipment: 1 goal, cones and several balls.

Players: The players line up at the starting cone, each with a ball. Four feeders with several balls stand on the goal line and at the corner of the penalty area. Plus a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Look up from the ball once more before finishing.
  • For the second shot a placed side-foot shot is often enough if the shooter is close enough to the goal.
  • For the header, head out of the movement and build up arched body tension.
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

In the first 3 drills, the players work on finishing from close range. The finish is taken first time or at the latest with the 2nd touch. In addition, the shot is taken on the move. This makes the training match-realistic, as a large proportion of goals in matches are scored from close range and with the 1st or 2nd touch.

When finishing right in front of goal, not much shooting power is needed. As a rule, it is enough to place the ball low into a corner. In addition, the side-foot shot can be chosen for first-time finishes. This kicking technique makes it easier to finish precisely.

But even though a large proportion of goals are scored inside the penalty area, long-range shots should not be neglected. In the 4th and final drill of the session, the players work on shots from distance, among other things. 2 shooting techniques are particularly suitable for this:

  • Inside-of-the-instep kick: angled run-up, suitable for precise finishes (with spin)
  • Instep drive: suitable for powerful finishes (but here too, precision should come first to begin with), make sure that the shooter does not lean back.
Coaching points for this session
  • Finish with both feet
  • Do not hesitate
  • Check the goalkeeper's position
  • Transition quickly after an unsuccessful finish
  • Pay attention to the choice and correct execution of the shooting technique
Drill 1

Coordination Relay

20 min
  • On a start signal from the coach, the first players of both groups run through the course.
  • They then receive a pass from the feeder and play the ball into the mini goal with a maximum of two touches before the line of cones.
  • Runner and feeder then swap tasks.
  • The winner is the team that is first to score ten goals.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: A course of cones, tall cones, poles and hurdles; behind it a line of cones marks the passing zone in front of two mini goals.

Equipment: 2 mini goals, cones, tall cones, poles, hurdles and several balls.

Players: Two groups, each with a runner A and a feeder B.

Coaching points
  • Perform the drills cleanly despite the competition.
  • Look up from the ball.
Drill 2

Killer Pass

20 minHalf a pitch
  • Player 1 dribbles with the ball towards the row of cones.
  • Player 1 pushes the ball past with a feint towards the centre and plays a pass in behind.
  • Player 2 breaks away from the row of cones at the right moment with a preparatory movement in order to reach the pass in behind.
  • There, Player 2 pushes the ball through one of the two cone goals with one touch and finishes first time.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: 14 red cones form two rows acting as defenders, four yellow and four blue cones each form the cone goals; at the end there is a goal.

Equipment: 22 cones in three colours, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Players 1 and 2; plus a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • After the feint, Player 1 carries out an explosive change of pace.
  • Player 1 watches the run of Player 2.
  • Player 2 takes the ball with the first touch without losing speed and finishes with the second touch.
  • If the angle for the finish is tight, a powerful instep drive under the crossbar is a good option for Player 2.
Drill 3

Funino - Passing 3 vs 1

25 min
  • The players start from their own end line.
  • Goals may only be scored from the finishing zone.
  • Otherwise the passing is free, with progressive rules applying.
  • The starting positions rotate throughout.

Rules:

  • Basic rule: before the finish, every player must have touched the ball once.
  • Progressive: limit the touches, follow each pass on one position, allow only first-time goals or play under time pressure.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area and the finishing zones; there are four mini goals at the ends.

Equipment: 4 mini goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Three attackers against one defender.

Coaching points
  • Ensure a match-like tempo.
  • Get to the finish purposefully.
  • Play the passes to the front foot or into the run.
  • Pay attention to the pace of the passes.
  • Take the ball straight into the movement.
  • After playing the pass, move on immediately and use a change of pace.
Drill 4

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.
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