Shooting

Set and Finish: Soccer Shooting Drill

As a soccer shooting drill, set and finish packs a lot of shots into a few minutes and still looks like a game. A shooter plays into a target player, the target sets it back, and the shooter strikes on the move instead of from a dead ball.

AgesU8 to adult
Players4 to 8
Space26 × 40 m
Time15 min
IntensityMedium

Animate it in DrawTactics

It builds a clean striking technique, a first-time or one-touch finish, and the habit of following in for rebounds. Use it after a passing warm-up on any session where you want players hitting the goal a lot.

Setup

Mark out an area 26 m long and 40 m wide that runs out from the goal, with a keeper in goal. Three shooters queue at a disc about 26 m from goal, just off center, each with a ball. One target player stands just inside the edge of the penalty area, slightly to the other side of center. Rotate the target player every few minutes.

Equipment1 full-size goal, 1 disc, 1 ball per shooter, Bibs for the target player

How it works

The first shooter passes into the target player and follows the pass, running forward to about 20 m from goal.
The target player lays the ball back into the shooter's path.
The shooter strikes at goal while the next player in the queue steps up to the disc.

Diagram of the set and finish: soccer shooting drill with every pass and run — Every step of the drill on one diagram.

Coaching points

Strike through the middle of the ball with your laces, keeping it low and hard
Target player: cushion the lay-off softly into the shooter's stride, not at their feet
Hit the target first; low and across the keeper is the best finish
Follow your shot in for rebounds
Shooter: adjust your run so you meet the ball, rather than waiting for it to arrive

Make it harder

A defender recovers from behind the shooter
Shooters must finish first time
The target player can turn and shoot if the shooter's pass is good enough

Make it easier

Shoot from a stopped ball after the lay-off
Move the queue closer to goal

Adapting it by age

U8–U10

Start the queue 15 m out and use a size 3 or 4 ball. Let players take a touch before shooting, and have a coach play the target role so the lay-offs are kind.

U12–U14

Keep the default 26 m area and insist on two touches at most: a set-up touch and a strike. Players take turns as the target so everyone practices the lay-off.

U15 to adult

Shoot first time off the lay-off and add a recovering defender who starts two meters behind the shooter. Score the round: 2 points for a goal, 1 for on target.

Common mistakes

Shooters stand still and wait for the lay-off. Ask them to keep moving after the first pass so they hit the ball in stride, as they would in a match.

The queue is too long and players wait a minute between shots. Run two target players and two queues, or cap each queue at three players.

Every shot is blasted high over the bar. Coach the body over the ball and the landing foot, and reward low shots on target more than goals.

FAQ

How many shots should each player get?
With three shooters and a keeper, each player can expect a shot every 30 to 40 seconds, so 20 or more in a 15-minute block.

Who should be the target player?
Use a striker or attacking midfielder who needs to practice holding up the ball, and rotate the role every few minutes so everyone shoots.

Make this drill your own

Open the set and finish: soccer shooting drill in DrawTactics to change the numbers and the size of the area, move the players, and export your own animation or diagram for your team. Or add it to a free session plan and print it.

Animate it in DrawTactics