Gafferbook
Shooting and finishing ยท U9 to U16

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.

U9 to U16Ages
6 to 10 plus a keeperPlayers
Edge of the boxArea
15 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

  • Goal with a keeper.
  • Striker starts on a cone 18 to 20 m out, back to goal.
  • Servers queue 10 m further back with balls.

Equipment: Goal, 2 cones, lots of balls

How it works

  1. Server passes into the striker's feet.
  2. Striker checks away, receives on the half-turn and shoots in two touches.
  3. Striker collects their ball and joins the server queue; server becomes striker.

Coaching points

  • Check away then come short to make space.
  • Look over your shoulder before the ball arrives.
  • Receive across your body and shoot low and early.
  • Follow in for rebounds.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Allow three touches
  • Start side-on

Make it harder

  • Add a passive, then active, defender behind the striker
  • One touch to turn, one to shoot

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

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†’

Volleys from a hand-feed

A partner tosses the ball up and the shooter volleys at goal. A simple, safe way to practise clean contact on volleys and half-volleys.

See the drill โ†’