Gafferbook
Shooting and finishing ยท U8 to adult

Pass it into the net (side-foot placement)

From inside the box, players pass the ball into the bottom corners with the side of the foot. Teaches that placement beats power close to goal.

U8 to adultAges
6 to 14 plus a keeperPlayers
Penalty areaArea
10 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

โž• Put it in tonight's session๐Ÿ—“ Build my season around itโœ๏ธ Make my own version

Set-up

  • Cones mark target zones just inside each post.
  • Queue on the penalty spot with balls; keeper in goal.

Equipment: Goal, cones, balls

How it works

  1. Take a touch out of your feet and side-foot into a corner zone.
  2. Corner zone = 2 points, on target = 1.
  3. Move the queue to angles after a few rounds.

Coaching points

  • Open your body and pass it, like to a teammate.
  • Pick your corner before you strike.
  • Keep the ball low.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • No keeper
  • Bigger zones

Make it harder

  • First-time from a pass
  • Keeper starts off their line

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

Questions about this drill?

Free AI coaching help from Gafferbook. Ask anything about coaching your team.

More shooting and finishing drills

Receive, turn and shoot

A server plays into a striker with their back to goal; the striker turns and shoots. Quick turnarounds and plenty of shots.

See the drill โ†’

Two-goal finishing game

Two teams, two goals, two keepers, short pitch. The coach plays balls in fast so every player gets shots every minute.

See the drill โ†’

Cross and finish: near post, far post

Wide players dribble down the channel and cross while two strikers attack near and far post. Finishing from crosses, with clear runs that young players can remember.

See the drill โ†’

Striker movement: check away, then go

Strikers practise the movements that create a yard of space: check away and come short, or show short and spin in behind, then finish first time.

See the drill โ†’

One-two and shoot

Players play a one-two with a wall player on the edge of the box and finish first time or after one touch. Combines passing, timing and shooting.

See the drill โ†’

Shoot and follow in for rebounds

Shoot from the edge of the box, then follow in for the rebound the coach or keeper plays loose. Builds the habit every striker needs: never admire your shot.

See the drill โ†’