— TRAINING SESSION

Finishing session — clinical in front of goal

Stretch the Game · 70 minutes · 4 drills · Generated 21 May 2026

Pure finishing. Every drill ends with a strike on goal. Designed for strikers but every outfielder benefits.

4DRILLS

70MINUTES

18AVG / DRILL

1 Receive — turn — shoot

0 min Difficulty: Intermediate Age: u12 Court: Half

Striker receives a pass with their back to goal, turns, and shoots. The most common attacking pattern in football. Drills the technique, the courage, and the decision.

Coaching points

• Check away before checking in — create space to receive
• Open up on the half-turn with the first touch
• Touch goes into your shooting zone, not into your feet
• Strike with the laces — knee over the ball — head down
• Follow the shot in for a rebound

2 Volley finishing — hands to feet

0 min Difficulty: Intermediate Age: u14 Court: Half

Coach or server throws the ball to a striker who volleys first-time at goal. Develops the technique to finish balls dropping from height — crosses, knock-downs, second balls.

Coaching points

• Get under the ball — knee bent, body over the ball
• Strike through the middle with the laces
• Keep the volley LOW — high volleys go over the bar
• Use the side-foot for accuracy, laces for power
• Follow through toward the target, not up in the air

3 1v1 vs keeper from 18 yards

0 min Difficulty: Intermediate Age: u12 Court: Half

The classic 1v1 finishing scenario. Striker breaks through the defensive line and must finish past an advancing keeper. Drills composure, technique, and decision-making in the moment that matters most.

Coaching points

• Read the keeper — are they coming out fast or holding the line?
• Eyes up — find the keeper before deciding the finish
• Three options: dink over (if they\'re committed), slot past (if they hold), round them (if they overcommit)
• Take the shot early — the longer you wait, the more they close the angle
• Follow in — keepers parry under pressure

4 Rebound finishing — follow every shot

0 min Difficulty: Intermediate Age: u14 Court: Half

Strikers shoot from the edge of the box. Coach throws a second ball as a 'rebound' — striker must react and finish the second chance. Drills the predator instinct to follow shots in.

Coaching points

• Always follow your own shot — keepers parry, posts deflect
• Read the rebound direction before you take the original shot
• Second-chance finish is rarely powerful — placement over pace
• Stay alive in the box — don\'t admire the shot you just took
• Two-yard finishes win matches