Finishing - 2 Strikers Combine

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Introduction:

This is a fun practice that introduces the idea of 2 forward players combining, whilst getting plenty of opportunities to shoot and to try and beat defenders. It's quick-fire, competitive and great fun. It works best with between 7 and 11 players, including a goalkeeper. If you have more players, just run the same session in two halves.

Setup:

• Half pitch with one goal and goalkeeper. Vary size of pitch / area depending on age group.
• Remaining players split into pairs, each pair wearing a different coloured set of bibs
• 5 footballs in the middle of the pitch
• One pair with the footballs as attacking players (white shirts, below), the other pairs to the side of the goal as defenders

Rules:

• Play starts with the attacking pair (in white, above) collecting a ball from the centre and calling out the number of defenders they want to face (from 1 to 3)
• Attacking pair try to score, whilst the number of defenders they call out become "active" and break out from the edge of pitch and try to defend the goal.
• If the attacking pair get a shot on target, they get 1 point per defender on the pitch. If they score they get triple points.
• After all 5 balls have been used, the attacking pair switch with another pair and become defenders.
• Rotate through all the pairs.
• Defenders need to decide amongst themselves whose turn it is to defend the next ball, so fair rotation occurs. Coach can assign numbers to make that easier.
• Active defenders are working together regardless of bib colour. Defenders don't have to be of the same bib colour to break out and become active - just ensure the order stays reasonably fair and everyone gets a turn.
• In the above example, the attacking pair (white) have chosen to face 2 defenders and the 2 orange defenders have decided to go and defend. Because they are facing 2 defenders, the attacking pair will score 2 points for every shot on target and 6 points for every goal they score.
• After each pair has had a turn at attacking, scores are added up and a winner is decided. Can either then have a second round or move on.

Progressions & Alternatives:

• Use 3 players per team instead of 2.
• Rotate the goalkeeper out after one round so as to give variety to all players.
• Start the defenders closer or further away to make the exercise harder / easier.
• Extra points for certain types of finish - volleys, wrong foot goals etc. Let players choose what is worth more points...
• Start the play from the coach in the centre circle, with the attacking players already making their runs.
• Extra points for goals scored from outside the penalty box.

Coaching Points (FA's 4 Corners):

 Download a printable version of this session here...