CONTROL
SHOOTING
PASSING
DRIBBLING
TURNING
HEADING
CREATE SPACE
INDIVIDUAL DEFENDING
SUPPORT PLAY
GOALKEEPING
CROSSING
TACKLING
THE THROW IN
ATTACKING SET PLAYS
DEFENDING SET PLAYS
THE FREE KICK
PASSING
Please select a subsection from the topics below :
 Sidefoot pass    Progression   In tight areas  
 With varying distances    Playing against the touchline  
 Passing on the run    With opposition involved  
   Two players against one    Further two against one practices  
 Passing in tight areas with a shot at goal   Kicking the ball  
 Progression    Progression II  
 Exercises for passing with the inside of the foot I  & II
 Progression III    Passing with place changing 
 Passing for accuracy    Volleying the ball   Kicking the ball

PASSING IN TIGHT AREAS (finishing with a shot at goal)


This is a progression on the last topic, two attackers against one defender, but now consideration has to be given to a setting up pass for a shot at a target.

Here the area (width) is 12 metres by 25 metres (length) clearly marked out.

Two attackers (A) and (B), defender (D) and a goalkeeper in goal (G).

The idea is simply to score - keeping the ball within the area
Players (A) and (B) should not go offside
(D) must win the ball if he can, using his judgement when to tackle
(G) plays as a normal goalkeeper.

So in diagram (1) (A) passes ahead of (B), who runs on to the ball and shoots (first time) at the goal.

Diagram 1
   

Diagram 2

In diagram (2), (A) in possession, (B) stands directly in front of (D),

(A) plays the ball to (B) who faints to go to his right - taking (D) with him - but then lays the ball to the left where (A) will pick it up and shoot at goal.

Should (D) not follow (B) then, (B) might well collect (A's) pass, turn quickly with the ball under control before shooting himself at the goal.

These practices should not be laboured, they should all be over in a few seconds, as this type of drill is all about moving quickly, sharp control, and a first time shot at goal before any other defender can come into the play.

   

Diagram 3

To develop this two more players are introduced, one attacker (C) and one defender (E)

So now we have three against two and a larger area of 15 metres (width) and 30 metres (length), in essence we have 3 v 3 as the goalkeeper supports the defenders.

Once again to the attackers there is one instruction initially - try and score.

(E) and (D) will mark (B) and (C), (A) is possession starts by either playing to either (C) and (B), OR moving forward with the ball, until challenged.

There are various options: -
 

Diagram 4

In diagram (4), (B) draws (D)
forward, leaving (A) and (C) to face (E).


(C) moves to his left leaving a space to his right for (A) to
receive a return pass and get a shot at goal.

 
   

Diagram 5

In diagram (5) (C) and (B) draw (D) and (E) to the edge of the area.

(A) (starting wide) plays to (C) who returns the ball to the centre where (A) then shoots at goal.

 

 
   

Diagram 6

In diagram (6) - (A) in possession (B) and (C) move more central and closer to (A), drawing markers (D) and (E) forward.

(A) plays to (B) who plays the the ball between (E) and (D) to where (C) spins off to try and get a shot at goal.

The weight of both (A) and (B's) passes is crucial to the success of this practice.

(C) must turn quickly - either swivel to the right, inwards or outwards, on how he
sees the possibilities.

   
Diagram 7

In diagram (7) (C) and (D) move closer together drawing in (E) and (D).

(A) in possession runs straight at (B), who can either: -

1. Let (A) continue on with his run and shoot at goal OR

2. (B) should faint to go left to try to get (D) to do the same, but then use (A) as a decoy and shoot himself at the goal.