Finishing Competition I

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.

• 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.