Drills / Team practice

Receive, turn and shoot

A striker receives with their back to goal, a defender behind. Turn and shoot, or lay it off and go again.

Players
4 to 10, plus a goalkeeper
Space
The width of the penalty area, 20 m long
Kit
A goal, balls, 4 cones
Time
12 minutes
Age
Under-9s and older
GKS
  • Us
  • Them
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Dribble

Set up

  • A server stands 20 m from goal with balls.
  • A striker stands 14 m from goal, facing the server. A defender stands behind the striker.

How it works

  1. The server passes into the striker's feet.
  2. If the defender is close, the striker lays it back and spins for a return pass.
  3. If the defender is off, the striker turns and shoots.
  4. The defender starts passive, then half pace, then full.

What to work on

  • Check over your shoulder before the ball comes, to see where the defender is.
  • Defender tight: lay it off, then spin the other way.
  • Defender off: let it run across you, turn on the first touch, and shoot.
  • Get the shot away quickly. Defenders recover fast.

Easier

No defender at first.

Harder

The defender can tackle from the start, and the striker has four seconds.

Especially good for: attacking midfielder, striker.

Safety. Defenders must not come through the back of the striker. Teach them to stay close but not to make contact from behind.

Planning a whole session? The session planner builds one around this kind of practice.

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