Soccer: Finishing at the near post

Position players in groups of 4 as shown in the diagram. Repeat in 2 other areas for a total of 12 players. The server (player 3) stands behind the goalkeeper. He makes a pass out to the shooter who strikes the ball 1st time at the goal. This shot must come from the grid at the right of the diagram. Player 2 retrieves any balls from behind the goal. Repeat and rotate. Progression: Serve the ball for a volley or 1/2 volley.

Encouraging 1st time shooting by using the correct technique to take the shot early and finish from close range. Get your knee over the ball and use the pace of the ball to generate the power. By trying to strike the ball too hard, the likelihoood is the accuracy will be poor. Blue 1 plays ball into area and clue 2 moves in to shoot 1st time. Blue 2 goes to replace blue 1 and blue 1 runs around working area to take blue 2s place.

Set up two lines of players as show in the image, about 30m from the goals. The first player dribbles with the ball at pace and then puts their foot on top of the ball, to leave it dead in front of the other player. The first player continues their run around the cone in front of them and then runs back inside the area. The receiver uses a positive first touch to move into space and then try to finish through one of the wide goals. The first player should have continued their run and now tries to put pressure on the receiver's shot.

Every other player in each line has a ball. The ball is played into space so that the attacking player can take the ball in their stride. Once the player has the ball they try to score against the goal keeper. The feed is then reverseed to the other side.

Set up a second goal as shown in the diagram. Player 1 starts standing behind a mannequin, positioned outside of the penalty box left hand corner. Player 2 is about 10m further down the pitch in line with Player 1. Player 2 passes the ball to player 1 and runs to the inside side of the mannequin for the lay off. Player 2 takes a shot at the left goal. At the same time as this Player 1, loops behind their run and enters the penalty box to receive a cross from Player 3, at the far right side. Play in both directions to practice crossing and shooting from each side.

Have a mannequin on the edge of the penalty circle, and another in line with it out, out at the left hand corner of the penalty box. Players positioned on cones 1, 2 and 3 as shown in the diagram, each with a ball. Player 1 dribbles a ball to the mannequin in front of them, feints one way then moves the ball the other way to shoot. The Player then runs back towards the next mannequin and receives the ball from Player 2. Player 2 runs up to the right of the mannequin and Player 1 lays the ball off to them to take a shot. Both players then run in to receive a cross from Player 3, on the outside right. (Player 1 takes front post, Player 2 back)

Two attacking players against one defender. The player who starts with the ball passes the ball square to the other player. This player runs towards the defender (isolating the defender) allowing the other player to loop round and overlap them to receive the ball in the space created. After receiving the pass this player should then have a shot at goal.

Set up as shown. The player in the middle starts with the ball. They play a diagonal ball into space so that the player to the right can run onto it. They then play a square ball, once the defender has committed, to the player far left who plays a 1st time ball into the middle player.

Set up 3 service points around the goal. Make sure one is central and two others either side One GK working. Servers should take it in turns to drill the ball from the floor to the working GK. GK saves/catches the ball and returns it to where the kick came from. GK returns quickly to set position for the next shot. Good for outfield players to work at striking the ball at the target too.

Set up 3 cones (or poles) spaced as shown in the diagram. Have a mannequin positioned on either side of the middle, just before the penalty box. Have a Player positioned on the backline to the left side in the penalty box with a ball. Have another Player (W) positioned out wide to the right side with a ball. A Player starts halfway between the centre circle and goal; dribbles the ball around the cones and in between the mannequins to take a shot. After first shot, Player quickly moves around the left hand mannequin and gets a cross from the wide player. Then the Player recovers around the right hand mannequin to receive the ball from the player on the goal line. Rotate the players around ever play (shooter > winger > backline player > shooter line)

Players line up in 3 groups. Player 1 from the left of the square moves into the square. Player 1 from the top of the square plays the ball into the player in the square. Player 1 then moves in on goal. Then rotate the players moving into the square.

Play 3 v 3 in the middle area with goalkeepers at each end. The object of the game is to score in the opposing goal. Only the attacker with the ball can go into the end area from a through pass from a teammate or by dribbling in. No defenders are allowed in this area. Goalkeepers must stay on their line until the ball enters their goal area. Attackers have a maximum of 3 touches in end areas. Goals can be scored only in the end areas. Attackers have only 1 touch from rebounds from the goalkeeper. Progressions: 1. Develop into allowing 1 defender to enter the penalty area also to put pressure on the attacker. The defender is nominated and is the only player allowed in. 2. Reduce number of touches in the endzone to 2. 3. Allow 2 attackers and 1 defender in end zone. 1st attacker has 2 touches, other attacker has only 1 touch.

Player 2 plays an in field pass to player 1 and then follows their pass. Player 1 either: Controls the ball and shoots or Shoots first time.

Players must run through the cones with the ball under control. When they reach the final cone they have one final touch to set the ball and then they must shoot into the far corner. After shooting players collect the other players' ball and then dribble to the back of the other line.

Players must run through the cones with the ball under control. When they reach the final cone they have one final touch to set the ball and then they must shoot into the far corner. After shooting players collect the other players' ball and then dribble to the back of the other line.

Position 2 teams of 6 players in opposite corners of the grid and number them from 1 to 6. When the coach calls out a players number that player in each team runs around the grid and enters through the side gate. The players with the ball have to then try and knock over the cones on the oppositions goal line.

The coach or a feeder player stands on the touchline. Players from the outside of the box take it in turns to run into the penalty area and run onto the pass at the near post - with the intention of slotting the ball past the keeper.

Player 1 jogs backwards to the far cone and then sprints out to the first cone, ready to receive the pass from player 1. Player 2 must take only one touch to set themselves for their shot on goal. After shooting the first ball player 2 should then run into the box to pounce onto the ball played in by player 3.

Play small sided game in a suitable area (e.g half field 6v6). Two teams attempt to score in any of the goals. A goal counts if the ball is passed through the goals and one of your teammates receives the pass round the otherside of the goal. The game is continued so it does not stop after every goal.

The players with ball stand by the middle cones. Players in the middle begin to dribble towards the touch line, then on command of the player making the run play a reverse ball into space for the attacking player to run onto to score.