CONTROL SHOOTING PASSING DRIBBLING TURNING HEADING CREATE SPACE INDIVIDUAL DEFENDING SUPPORT PLAY GOALKEEPING CROSSING TACKLING THE THROW IN ATTACKING SET PLAYS DEFENDING SET PLAYS THE FREE KICK

FINISHING SKILLS

Diagram 1

Practice 1, is set up as in diagram (1), with 3 sets of 3 (x's) in line facing a goal defended by a goalkeeper (G)

The lead player starts about 20 metres from the target, and so X1, X4 and X7, will try and score past (G1), (G2) and (G3) - who should defend full sized goals if possible

Practice (in group 1)

The ball is served to X1 by X3 (who has moved slightly to the side of the line) X1 faces X3, then with a touch and turn he runs to face G1 and tries to score. X4 and X7 do exactly the same in their group.

Coaches should insist on: -

(a) A good first touch and turn - carried out as quickly as possible by X1, X4 and X7
(b) Speed, once control is assured by X
(c) A strike that hits the target, using varying techniques e.g. sliding the ball under the goalkeeper, or taking the ball wide of the goalkeeper if he advances, or simply striking the ball firmly if the chance presents itself.
(d) There should be variations in the methods of the attacking player, and the coach should try and assist the players to be inventive.

NB. SHOULD THE GOALKEEPER SAVE AND GET HOLD OF THE BALL, HE SHOULD THEN HAVE A TARGET TO AIM AT WITH A THROW OR VOLLEY FROM HANDS e.g. SERVE DIRECT BACK TO X3 AT THE BACK OF THE LINE ENSURING IT CLEARS X2.

Once X1 has completed he goes to the back of the line and X2 moves up to take a serve from X1.

Practice

X6 serves X1 controls the ball, turns quickly, and moving at speed tries to score past G1.

As X1 shoots for goal, X6 serves to X7 who repeats the procedure at G3's goal.

Progression

Return to the original 3 groups as in diagram 3

X4 serves to X1, who collects and tries to score, only this time as X1 touches the ball X4 follows the serve and tries to prevent X1 from scoring.

This ensures a speedy control, move, and shot from X1, but the coach must ensure that X4 does not move until X1 has made contact with the serve.

After the exercise X1, and X4 return to the back of their lines and then X5 serves to X7 repeats the practice.

GROUPS CAN EXCHANGE DUTIES, AND GOALKEEPER 2 CAN BE USED TO FIELD BALLS UNTIL HE TAKES UP POSITION REPLACING G1 OR G3.