Penalty Corner Practice

DESCRIPTION

Equipment: light balls, (masks), coaching whiteboard or images to show routines.

Organisation: For a group size of around 16: split into 2 sub-groups of 8. Each sub-group in a different circle.

Attacking overload, i.e. 5v3.

Attackers practice 3-4 short corners in a row, then switch ATT<>DEF roles.

Rules:

• SAFETY: NO hits or slaps at goal. Low pushes only. Consider using a light ball/tennis ball. Consider defenders wearing masks.
• The aim is to pass around the defence, not hit through them.
• Mixed abilities: [3] attackers must touch the ball before attackers shoot

 Optional:

• Even teams of 5v5, but 2 defenders start on halfway line.
• Give attackers 3 routines to try, then let them make up the 4th one themselves.

Follow-up with: possession game in the circle / Breakout game.

COACHING POINTS

Feedback:

• Encourage a team huddle before every short corner.
• Encourage attackers to switch positions/roles (injector, trapper etc.)
• Bonus for inventive routines.
• Show sample routines on a whiteboard if available.

Focus:

• This activity practises attacking penalty corners
• Focus is fast passing under pressure + trying different routines
• Focus isn't to practise shooting technique/power
• Sketch some example routines for players to try

Questions:

• Why are penalty corners a good goal-scoring opportunity?
• How can you win a penalty corner? (briefly elicit + discuss how to win penalty corners, i.e. foot foul, stick tackle, intentional foul outside the circle)
• How can you score more goals at penalty corners? (elicit: e.g. agree a routine before taking it, vary the routine, fast passing speed, accurate passing, disguise your routine/passes, avoid losing possession)

Encourage the attackers to:

• vary their routines
• swap attacker positions with each round
• disguise their routine/passes (body language, no-look passes etc.)