shooting from square passes

Organise two full-size goals with goalkeepers that are 36 yards apart (two penalty areas). Two shooters are in the middle of the field, one shooting to goal one and the other to goal two. They each face a line of players on the centre line who have a ball each.

Player 2 receives a pass from the first player in line 1. He has to receive and shoot using only his right foot and in one or two touches. At the same time the other shooter does the same. Both shooters then join the back of their line and are replaced by the passer.

click here to see an animated version of this drill on soccerpeformance.org

Reverse the practice with the player facing line 1 shooting to goal two and the other shooter shooting to goal one. They will then have to control and shoot the ball with their left foot.

Coaching Point

Remember, the players are only 18-20 yards from goal, so encourage a short, quick first touch as this will be required in game situations close to a crowded penalty area.

This time the shooters have their backs to goal (side-on to the passer). The shooter allows the ball to go across his body to be controlled with his right foot and shoot with his left foot.

Coaching Point

The shots could either be curled toward the far post or hit hard and low toward the near post as shown in the diagram.