Coaching: Shooting | Official Website of The PFA

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CONTROL

SHOOTING

Please select a subsection from the topics below :

A basic introduction

Progression

On run

Free kick (dead ball)

Improve Accuracy

Shooting from distance

DEVELOPING SHOOTING FROM A DISTANCE

Rather than just setting up an attacking player and a goalkeeper there are often practices to make distance shooting more realistic.
But a good starting point is a pass, or rolled ball by the coach to an attacking player on the edge of the penalty area (18 yards out) and he has to shoot first time - putting the emphasis on hitting the target first and then greater power.

The coach can vary the service as in diagram (1)

So that (A) the attacker has to shoot at goal from different angles. The coach moves around and also varies the type of service - ground pass, lob, etc.

To progress the coach then sets out an area 20 metres x 50 metres and the 12 players set up as in diagram (2) leaving the central 10 metre area vacant.

So that (A) the attacker has to shoot at goal from different angles. The coach moves around and also varies the type of service - ground pass, lob, etc.

To progress the coach then sets out an area 20 metres x 50 metres and the 12 players set up as in diagram (2) leaving the central 10 metre area vacant.

So the players are confronted with a 4 against 1 situation in each 20-metre square - with a goalkeeper at each end guarding the goal (4 metres wide).

The idea is that there is one ball, and so the four (A's) have to pass or dribble past the lone (B) in their area, progress to the vacated central area before shooting at the goal guarded by (BG).

If the goalkeeper saves the shot, he then rolls the ball out to one of his own players and then they combine to get in a shot at the opposing goal and so the practice goes on.

The lone player in either section should follow up once the shot from one of his colleagues has been fired in on goal - just in case the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper or even one of the four defenders.

To progress, the ratio of defenders to attackers can be altered to 3 against 2, or if the coach wishes 4 against 2 so as to ensure greater awareness, and better passing skills.

THE COACH SHOULD INSIST THAT WHICHEVER SIDE HAS THE BALL THEY SHOULD PROGRESS TO THE MIDFIELD AREA AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO GET A SHOT IN ON GOAL.

THE COACH SHOULD INSIST ON GOOD TECHNICAL ABILITY FROM THE PLAYERS SHOOTING.

EYES ON THE BALL, NON-KICKING FOOT ALONGSIDE THE BALL TO ENSURE THE BALL STAYS DOWN, PLUS GOOD BALANCE FROM THE STRIKER. ACCURACY IS CRUCIAL AND THE COACH SHOULD NOT ACCEPT CARELESS ATTITUDE FROM THE PLAYER TRYING TO SCORE.

In diagram (3), the same area, only now it is 2 x 1 in each 20 metre square - WITH FULL SIZE GOALS AT EITHER END.

As before the 2 (A's) try to pass or dribble past the lone (B) in their square, and in reaching the vacated central area they have to shoot at the goal.

To encourage a shot at the earliest opportunity either of the two (B's) can come out and challenge the (A) player looking for a shot at goal ONCE HE HAS CROSSED THE LINE INTO THE 10 METRE (CENTRAL) AREA.

The coach should ensure the (B's) do not challenge BEFORE THE ATTACKING (A) player has crossed into the shooting zone.

THE FULL SIZE GOAL SHOULD ENCOURAGE MORE CONFIDENCE