By Tony Waiters, NSCAA National Academy Staff

Activity 1: Big Shot

Objectives

• To develop ability to create angles and positions;
• To improve shooting from central areas;
• Excellent and fun practice for players age 12 and above.

Organization (see above diagram)

• Mark area 30 x 25 yards, with midfield line.
• Two full-sized goals (portable or improvised goals with cones/poles).
• Two goalkeepers.
• 2, 3 or 4 v. 1 (plus goalkeeper) in each half.
• A goalkeeper starts by rolling ball to one of four players.
• Four keep possession from the opponent while working to create a shooting position.
• Shots can only be taken from within own half.
• After shot the one advanced team player (the "sniffer") looks for scoring opportunities from rebounds off the goalkeeper, defenders or goal posts.
• Goalkeeper controls from the back and is always available for the back pass.  GK's cannot shoot.

Coaching Points

• Encourage players to try a strike for goal.
• Tell "sniffer" to always gamble on possibility of a rebound.
• Have defending players take up good positions to block shots (even though confined to their half).
• Encourage goalkeeper to work at maintaining a view of the ball at all times.
• Teach goalkeeper to make good decision relative to the situation (e.g., whether to catch or deflect the ball into non
  dangerous areas).
• Encourage supporting play to give alternative for shot or pass.

Challenge

• To outscore the opposition.
  

Activity Two: The Corner Shot

Objective

• To develop accurate passing and shooting with both feet, and to gain a simple understanding of corner kicks for players 6 – 8 years old.

Organization (see above diagram)

• Place balls in corners of playing area.
• Coach rolls ball by foot or by hand.
• Coach shouts "Go!" and player at first cone must go around second cone.
• Shooting player retrieves own shot then returns to end of line.
• This increases the activity level and also encourages the shooter not to kick the ball too far, but rather concentrate on the accuracy.
• No goalkeeper, so players practice accurate kicking.
• Change players and cones to opposite side.
• Children leave their ball with the coach on the way back. 
• With a large group split into two (with Assistant Coach) and have one group at one end and one at the other.

Teaching Points

• As players become better, narrow the goal or deliver quicker passes.
• Point out that most shots in illustration will be taken with the left foot.
• Total concentration: head down, eyes on the ball.
• Encourage accuracy rather than power shooting.
• Use inside of foot - like a hockey stick.
• Encourage players to strive to become "two-footed."

Target

• To record the number of the team's scoring attempts that succeed in 20 shots, and keep score at each practice.