Practice 1: Creating and converting

WHY USE IT

This first practice encourages players to combine quickly and create goalscoring opportunities in a relevant area of the field. There should be plenty of shooting opportunities.

Set-up

Mark out an area relative to the age, ability and number of players. Ideally, use the penalty box plus another 18 yards (so equivalent to two penalty boxes). 

Place a full-size goal at each end. Create two equal teams and use two or three neutral players.

HOW TO play

Teams use the neutral players when in possession to create an attacking overload. 

The aim is to create chances and score goals. If a team scores, play resumes from their own goalkeeper, so they maintain possession.

ADAPTATIONS & progressions

You can limit players to a certain number of touches or change the size and/or shape of the area to alter the challenge.

COACHING POINTS

Mindset: Can I score or assist? Pitch geography should allow for both; Confidence
Technique: Power and laces; Body placement – wrap around the ball; Ball distance from standing foot and striking foot
Positioning: Movement away from defender, with and without the ball
Receiving: On back foot or facing goal for shot on sight