shooting practice - staggered goals

from George Lasher's shooting manual

Even the top-level players perfect their shooting skills without a defensive presence. Shooting while under pressure is a critical part of a player's training, but only after the player has developed some skill and confidence in shooting. Actually, some coaches claim to see more scores (and missed opportunities) when there is no (immediate) defensive pressure.

Training environments should get players maximum shots with different varieties of passes and situations.

A staggered goal setup is a wonderful training environment especially when training in a small area. It allows for players to share an area and still feel as if they have large area to work in.

There are a couple of things one can do from this setup. If a coach has a flat goal, s/he can place it at the halfway off towards a touch and the players can be separated into shooting on four goals. Defensive pressure can also be included if needed in this layout.

Set Up and Execution

shooting practice 1

Long Shots

A plays long ball to B who controls and shoots on Goal 2; the next player B immediately plays long ball to A (initial passer) who controls and shoots on Goal 1.

Either the player retrieves his own ball and switches sides or he can retrieve the other shooter's ball and stay on same side.

Back Angles

shooting practice 2

Line 1, player A dribbles along goal line (towards goal 2) and plays an angled pass back to player B in line 2 moving on to goal 2.

shooting practice 3

Immediately after the pass, player A makes run on goal 1 as next player in line 2 dribbles along goal line (towards goal 1) and plays back angle to A. Players retrieve shots and exchange lines.