cyphilbrick
14 May 2009, 03:01 PM
Need a finishing game: http://coach-smart.com/soccerblog/
It always surprises me how often coaches get their teams into lines to practice finishing (either by using two or three lines create crossing situations or using one big line straight ahead of goal to practice longer shots). Although these can serve as ok ways to prep a team for more intense games, why even waste time? Why not jump into an intense game that doesn't separate skills from the tactical environment of a game? In other words, a game that produces tons of game-related finishing chances.
For U-14 and up, how about 4 v 4 or 5 v 5 on a SMALL FIELD (40 by 20 yards) with a team or two waiting off the field working on fitness or technical work. Winning team stays on. Losing team goes off.
If you still want to get crosses in, you can always widen the field and include neutral crossers on the sides of the field that serve as outlets and to whip balls into the box.
It always surprises me how often coaches get their teams into lines to practice finishing (either by using two or three lines create crossing situations or using one big line straight ahead of goal to practice longer shots). Although these can serve as ok ways to prep a team for more intense games, why even waste time? Why not jump into an intense game that doesn't separate skills from the tactical environment of a game? In other words, a game that produces tons of game-related finishing chances.
For U-14 and up, how about 4 v 4 or 5 v 5 on a SMALL FIELD (40 by 20 yards) with a team or two waiting off the field working on fitness or technical work. Winning team stays on. Losing team goes off.
If you still want to get crosses in, you can always widen the field and include neutral crossers on the sides of the field that serve as outlets and to whip balls into the box.