Shooting & Finishing
Composure in front of goal, finishing with both feet and movement to create chances
⏳ 60 minutes · 5 activities
1
Shooting Gates
Quick shooting warm-up through small gates - build confidence and get eyes on goal early.
Setup
- Set up 6 small gates (two cones, 2 yards apart) scattered around the penalty area
- Players work in pairs, one ball between two
- Rotate so each player shoots from different angles
How to Play
- Player dribbles through a gate and shoots immediately after passing through
- Partner collects, dribbles through a different gate and shoots
- Focus on technique over power - get it on target first
Rules
- Progress: call the gate number just before the player reaches it so they must adjust direction
- Award a point for hitting the target, two points for a goal
1
Non-kicking foot next to the ball, toe down on contact for accuracy2
Look up briefly before shooting - pick your corner early3
Follow your shot - the rebound is a goal2
Combination Finishing
Two-player combination ending in a shot - build the habit of running onto the ball.
Setup
- Full-size goal with goalkeeper
- Two queues of players: one at the edge of the box, one wide on the right
- One ball per repetition
How to Play
- Wide player plays a low cross or cut-back to the central player arriving into the box
- Central player finishes first or second touch
- Central player becomes the wide player for the next rep; wide player joins the back of the queue
Progressions
- Progress 1: switch sides so players finish from both feet
- Progress 2: add a passive defender to apply light pressure on the finisher
- Progress 3: wide player decides - cross early or drive to the byline first
1
Arrive into the box late - time your run so you're moving onto the ball, not waiting for it2
Shape your body toward the goal as early as possible3
Penalty area is not the place for two touches when one will do3
3v2 Shooting Game
Attacking overload game to create shooting opportunities in realistic situations.
Setup
- 40x30 yard pitch with two full-size goals and goalkeepers
- 3 attackers vs 2 defenders plus GK, rotate every two minutes
- Coach feeds ball in from the side to start each phase
How to Play
- Attacking team of 3 tries to score against 2 defenders and a GK
- Defenders win the ball and try to score on the counter in the small goal at the halfway line
- Rotate the three attacking players after each goal or turnover
Key Focus
- Bonus point if the goal is scored with fewer than 4 passes - reward directness
- Progress: add a third defender to make it 3v3
1
With a 3v2 overload, someone is always free - find them early2
The player without the ball should always be threatening the space behind the defence3
Take the shot when the angle is on - don't overpass in the final third4
Free Play
Open game - watch how players apply finishing instincts.
Setup
- Full pitch, full-size goals with goalkeepers
- Even teams
- Coach watches from the side
How to Play
- Standard football rules
- No restrictions
Coach role: Count how many shots your players take. Look for hesitation in front of goal - note it for the review, don't call it out mid-game.
5
Stretch & Review
Stretches and a short review on decision-making in front of goal.
Stretches
- Players in a circle, seated on the ground
- Hamstring stretch, glute stretch, quad stretch - 30 seconds each
Q1. Name a moment today where someone took a good shot - what made it a good decision?
Q2. When did you have a chance but didn't shoot - what stopped you?
Q3. One thing you'll do differently in front of goal next match?