Mass Youth Soccer Academy - Shooting
Main Coaching Points: Ankle locked, hips over ball (with hip of shooting leg tilted a bit higher than other hip), head down, knee over, body slightly leaning over ball, plant foot beside ball and weight on ball of this foot, knees bent, follow through to target, strike center of ball, move through ball and land on shooting foot. Strike ball with laces so that ball strikes hard bone on top of foot.
1) Laces on ground---Each player sits on ground with a ball and holds ball out with hands then drops ball. They need to strike ball with laces (with ankle locked) straight up in the air, back to themselves. Use both feet. Once competent at that, they will work in pairs with one ball per pair. Have one partner sit on the ground with legs in front of him/her and hands on ground to provide support. Have partner stand 2-3 feet away and gently toss ball to sitting partner’s laces in order for sitting partner to strike ball with laces (stress technique) back to server’s hands. Use both feet. Switch positions. As players are comfortable, ask them to balance with arms and not bracket self with hands on ground. (13 minutes)
2) Pairs on feet---Player standing about 6-7 yards from each
other. One partner tosses ball underhand to partner who uses laces to
strike ball back to partner. Stress technique. Make sure players are
always on toes during this and strike ball with alternating feet. Once
comfortable, have pairs move around the space while serving and
shooting, making this a bit more difficult for shooters. (15 minutes)
1 minute waterbreak
3) Harpsichord---In pairs with one ball. Have partners face each standing about 10 yards apart. Must strike ball to partner. If ball goes within one step left or right of partner, the player who shot the ball takes one step backwards. Receiver then shoots ball back and takes a step back if ball comes within one step left or right of partner. If ball does not come within one step of partner, shooter DOES NOT take a step back. See if players can make it all the way back to wall and then back towards each other with both feet. (14 minutes)
4) Clean your backyard--- Break group into two teams and have
each team stay only on their half of the field. Place a 6 yard buffer
zone between halves that no one can enter or cross. Each player needs a
ball. Place three small (2-3yd) goals at the far end of each side of the
field. Have both teams shoot balls at other team’s goals in an attempt
to score through anyone of the small goals (below knee height). Players
cannot cross the buffer zone or go into the other half. Balls get
recycled naturally in the game. This is a competition and teams need to
keep score. Play 2 or 3 games and have teams re-strategize between each
game. Teams can play defense though no hands. Only shots with laces
count as goals. Stress technique. (15 minutes)
5) Review---Ask players to teach you the technical coaching points to insure complete understanding in the group.
