Striking The Ball - finishing with power and accuracy

Core Skill: Striking the ball

Principle of play: Attacking
Session objective: Striking the ball - finishing with power and accuracy
Key behaviours/habits: See the ball/see the goal, select the correct type of finish, think: "can I score, if not, give it to someone who can"

 Download the session plan: 

Game 1

Striking the ball - Game 1

ORGANISATION

  • 3v3 + GK’s – 6v6 + GK’s
  • 25x25m (for 3v3+GK) field is shorter than normal to promote more opportunities to shoot

RULES

  • No throw ins or corners, ball restarts with the GK at all times
  • KEEP SCORE to keep intensity levels high

COACHING POINTS

  • Can you get in a position where you can see the ball and the target
  • Can you score, if not, give it to someone who can?
  • For accuracy, use the inside of your foot, lock your ankle, kick through the center of the ball follow through to the target.
  • For power, use the shoelaces to strike, lock your ankle, get your shoulders over the ball to keep the ball down, strike through the centre of the ball and land on your striking foot.

 

Game 2

Striking the ball - Game 2

ORGANISATION

  • 25x25with halfway line
  • One red player plays 1v0 to score against the goal keeper
  • One blue player starts with the ball and comes out to play 1v1 against the same red player
  • One more red player comes out with a ball and joins that red player and plays 2v1 against the same blue player
  • An additional blue player comes out with the ball and plays 2v2 with the other players
  • This is repeated until the game finishes 3v3

RULES

  • Score in the big goals. If you win the ball, transition and score.
  • When your team adds the additional player, the ball starts with your GK rolling it out to them.

COACHING POINTS

  • Can you get in a position where you can see the ball and the target
  • Can you score, if not, give it to someone who can?
  • For accuracy, use the inside of your foot, lock your ankle, kick through the center of the ball follow through to the target.
  • For power, use the shoelaces to strike, lock your ankle, get your shoulders over the ball to keep the ball down, strike through the center of the ball and land on your striking foot.

Game 3

Striking the ball - Game 1

ORGANISATION

  • 3v3 + GK’s – 6v6 + GK’s
  • 25x25m (for 3v3+GK) field is shorter than normal to promote more opportunities to shoot

RULES

  • Normal game rules

COACHING POINTS

  • Can you get in a position where you can see the ball and the target
  • Can you score, if not, give it to someone who can?
  • For accuracy, use the inside of your foot, lock your ankle, kick through the center of the ball follow through to the target.
  • For power, use the shoelaces to strike, lock your ankle, get your shoulders over the ball to keep the ball down, strike through the centre of the ball and land on your striking foot.