Reactive finishing in and around the box

Reactive finishing in and around the box

By: Paul Buckle - Technical Director Metropolitan FC, NY

Provided by: National Soccer Coaches Association of America

Activity #1: Warm Up

Organization:

• 8 players outside a circle serve the ball from hands to 8 players inside the circle
• Working players execute the skill, spin away and find another server
• Skills can include and activity that prepares the player(s) to shoot:
- Volley back to server, Head back to server, Half volley back to server, Turn and pass to another server

Coaching points:

• Jog slowly before change of pace to server
• Complete the required skill at match speed
• Players change roles
• Timing of the approach
• Slow to quick
• Quality

Activity #2: Reactive finishing around the box

Organization:

• Coach serves the ball over the mannequins to 4 players
• Control dribble and shoot
• After the ball is dead, check back to the top of the 18 yard box
• Look at runs into the box at zone(s) 1, 2, 3, 4
• Wide players run at and beat mannequin to serve ball into the box
• The opposite wide player plays for the over hit cross

Coaching points:

• 1st touch is important
• Touch, look, shoot
• Make good runs into the box
• Finish!!!

Variations:

• Can get wide players to turn out and set for the cross
• Four attackers interchange positions to ensure being on the move when the ball is delivered