[blech]

we opened the season this past weekend. our practices have thus far been focused on passing and supporting movement off the ball, and i think the guys did a very good job of ball possession.

BUT, we failed to score. they seemed unwilling to take the shots we had, and we didn't have enough guys in the box when the crossing opportunities (and the goalie bobbles) occurred. i've got a few in mind for this week, but i'm curious to hear everyone's suggestions for drills.

[jdonnici]

Originally posted by blech
they seemed unwilling to take the shots we had, and we didn't have enough guys in the box when the crossing opportunities (and the goalie bobbles) occurred.

You didn't mention what age/experience you're working with, but here's one I do with the U12 rec team I'm coaching. Most of these boys can strike the ball well when it's "just right" (for them)... but tend to wait too long before shooting, in the hopes that they can get a better set-up or angle.

Players form two lines at the top of the 18yd box (closer/further depending on age/experience) and everyone has a ball in their hand. One line at each side of the "partial" circle, with the coach inside the circle "wedge". Alternating sides, each player tosses the ball to the coach... who throws, rolls, tosses, or bounces the ball into the box as the player runs in. I do it as a "first touch is a shot" drill so that they don't try to settle the ball and get control.

When they shoot, they follow the ball in to pick up any fumble by the keeper and/or to get their ball and return to the back of the opposite line (so they practice from both sides).

More than one touch, not shooting right away (I use the 6yd box as a guide), not following the shot, not hustling back to the line, or obstructing another player's turn when they run to the back of the line -- all earn them 5-10 situps (depending). I try to avoid doing "conditioning" drills off the ball, but dole out small amounts of sit-ups to keep them on their toes.

As the coach, you can vary the way the ball goes into the box to make it interesting for them. The boys who are struggling may get a simple roll, while stronger players get a hard-bounce that they have to volley/half-volley, or maybe a difficult spin.

As long as they hustle, they get a work-out and each player gets several turns in a short period of time. It's also good for your keeper(s), as they get lots of different shots in a short timespan... you just have to make sure not to deliver them too fast, lest the keeper not recover see a shot coming.

HTH... looking forward to the rest of the thread.

-- jeff

[DUTCHVIZ]

Check out the Shooting game at www.bettersoccermorefun.com.
Hope it helps.

[CUS]

Setup another goal at the top of the box, then play 4v4 with keepers at each goal. Now at EVERY TOUCH there is an opportunity to get a shot on goal. If a goal is scored, swap out the keeper scored on.

[Turk from Pigs Eye]

Originally posted by CUS
Setup another goal at the top of the box, then play 4v4 with keepers at each goal. Now at EVERY TOUCH there is an opportunity to get a shot on goal. If a goal is scored, swap out the keeper scored on.

This drill seems like it's on the right track, but setting the goal at the top of the box might be a little too short of a field. You might experiment with anything from this to 1/2 field. I probably wouldn't hold out players to make it 4 on 4 and would rather use everybody you've got. In general, shortening the field in a scrimmage puts more emphasis on finishing.

[CUS]

Originally posted by Turk from Pigs Eye
This drill seems like it's on the right track, but setting the goal at the top of the box might be a little too short of a field. You might experiment with anything from this to 1/2 field. I probably wouldn't hold out players to make it 4 on 4 and would rather use everybody you've got. In general, shortening the field in a scrimmage puts more emphasis on finishing.

True enough, but the problem described is a reluctance (or inability) to know that there is a shot available even when everything is 'not right'.

[cpwilson80]

We always did the short field with the goals 40 yards apart...this allows for some build up of play, but as soon as you cross midfield, there is the possibility for a shot.

Another drill I really like helps with striking balls that are less than perfect. Have a player line up with their back to the goal, about 20 yards away. Someone kicks out a ball and yells turn. The player who turns now has two touches to put a shot on goal, regardless of where the ball is played. This greatly helps reaction time, reflexes, anticipation, and puts an emphasis on shooting. For more challenge, have a defender come out and apply pressure for the shooter.

The only downside is that you don't get that many kids involved. However, this is a great drill if you break up your team in to 2-3 groups and rotate through practice.

[blech]

Originally posted by CUS
Setup another goal at the top of the box, then play 4v4 with keepers at each goal. Now at EVERY TOUCH there is an opportunity to get a shot on goal. If a goal is scored, swap out the keeper scored on.

This was one of the ones I decided to use at practice a couple of nights ago. Because of numbers, we were 5v5. Smaller numbers are better IMO since it forces even more shooting (I've done a similar drill in the past 2v2 with 1 goalie when I've had the benefit of breaking up into small groups), but I wanted to get everyone in. And, to weigh in on the distance issue. For a regular scrimmage, 35-50 yards is good, but I really wanted to focus on shooting so I set the goal at 25 yards. I thought it worked pretty well for what I was trying to accomplish. The only rule was that the goalies couldn't shoot. It took them a while, but it seemed like they were beginning to understand that whoever got the ball, whereever they got the ball, they were within shooting range and should take a crack at it. When we do it again, I may even require that the shot be taken after no more than 2 or 3 passes just to get them to stop passing the ball around inside the box. We'll see how, if at all, that translates into today's game.

FYI, I did a handful of other shooting drills to try to build up their confidence (not entirely sure that was the result), but I think some of the problem is a reluctance to attack. Hopefully some confidence will help that. And, we did the drill with the goal in the middle and lines on each side - after you shoot, you follow to the goal to play goalie against the other line - and then return to your line after taking one turn in goal. I would like to get into their head that as soon as they shoot, they should be charging the goal (for a follow up as opposed to playing goalie on the next shot), and it was amusing to see how often they'd shoot and then take a couple of steps back toward the line before remembering to charge the goal. Again, we'll see what happens later today.

Thanks to all. There are still many weeks to go. Any other suggestions are still welcome.

[blech]

I forgot to add that their response when I set up the short field was classic surprise: "You're putting the goal there?"

[Turk from Pigs Eye]

You might try making them shoot with their other foot in this drill, as a variation. I hate it when they only want to shoot with one foot and I think it costs them sometimes.