If you are looking for another shooting drill to add to your coaching toolbox check out the video below. Charlie Cooke, Director of Coerver Coaching USA, instructs players on a Competitive Shooting Drill during his Creating and Converting Goal Chances demonstration. This effective drill not only involves shooting, but dribbling, defending, and offensive to defensive transitions.
The grid is set up and marked by two cones, which are 5 yards out from small goals that are 12 yards apart. This is called the shooting zone, which is the point where players must cross first before taking a shot on goal.
There are two teams and lines marked by cones 14 yards away from the goals. The drill begins with one player from a team dribbling with a ball from their line to shoot in one of the small goals. As soon as this players shoots, a player from the other team is allowed to start dribbling towards the goals with the objective of shooting and scoring before the first player recovers and defends the shot. This rotation continues throughout the drill as players are encouraged to attack either goal to score.
This drill comes from Coach Cooke’s presentation at a Glazier Soccer Clinic. If you are interested in gaining access to his full presentation and hundreds of other video presentations click the link Glazier Clinic Vault. If you are interested in attending a Glazier Soccer Clinic click here to find one near you.
The video has sound, so please make sure that your sound is turned on.
There are several key coaching points to take away from this drill:
Be aggressive on offense
All players should be dribbling at speed and trying to score if the goal is open. If the player can sense the defender is closing them down quickly and may block or deflect the shot, the player should switch directions and attack the opposite goal. This is a great opportunity for players to practice being aggressive and taking chances, which is what you want your offensive players doing in the attacking third of the field during a game.
Be smart and fast on defense
The defending player must close down the attacking player quickly, but they also need to be smart in trying to force them wide and to a bad shooting angle. Players should be instructed to not overrun the play or be too aggressive. In a defensive recovery position, the main priority is to put pressure on the player and ball. Make sure the offensive player can feel the defensive player closing them down and be in a position to help if the play continues (blocked shot, rebound, etc)
Quick transitions from offense to defense
Once the attacking player shoots, they must immediately transition to defense. Coach Cooke discusses this during the drill with a player and instructs them to not make a wide turn or take extra steps. Players need to be quick with their footwork to stop and change directions while turning to sprint towards the player and ball. This type of transition occurs all the time during a game and is very important for players to learn and understand.