Coaching Corner: Finishing
A two-goal shooting drill that keeps players active
By: Paul Payne, National Staff Coach, Region II Technical Director and Men's Coach at Bloomsburg University
 

(from the NSCAA Coaching Newsletter - October 15, 2003)

As coaches we need to create finishing exercises that keep players active and challenged. This simple two-goal shooting exercise is one that involves multiple players using various techniques and decision making skills needed to be successful to finish.

X2 plays a crisp ball into X1’s checking run. X1 lays off a ball for X2 to run onto and hit shot from outside the box at Goal B. X1 immediately, after laying off the ball, spins away and bends a run towards Goal A. X3 services a flighted ball from the corner kick area for X1 to run onto and finish using the appropriate body surface. The same pattern is then repeated by the 0’s immediately after X1 has shot on Goal A. 

Coaching Points

1. Checking runs of target player with timing, angle and communication key points.

2. Weight and timing of pass into checking run

3. Proper technique of striking ball on net

foot surface (laces, inside, outside)

plant foot location 

head steady after choosing target

proper follow through towards target

 

4. Angle and speed of run to meet crossing service

5. Timing and quality of corner service to target player
 

flighted v. driven ball

Proper surface and technique to finish corner service

head, volley, preparation

I like this activity because it allows the goalkeeper’s as well as the outfield players to deal with realistic finishing opportunities in and around the box. Obviously by adding defenders in the box presents more game like situations as well as having corner services come from dribbling the ball down the flank prior to service. We always end this exercise only if an “upper 90” shot is finished.

Created: 12/20/99
Last Updated: 05/03/04

Since February 24, 1999
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