IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
LMA AMBASSADOR
Martin Allen
Clinical Finishing
Overview:
I always instill in my strikers the difference between shooting and finishing. We see shooting in every game – a chance comes along and the forward puts his laces through the ball. But finishing is very different and much more valuable, particularly in the modern game where the number of clear- cut chances that develop in matches is decreasing.
Finishing is all about technique inside the box, being clinical, and controlling a shot, generally by using the side of the foot.
True finishing technique can be picked up from any age. I signed DJ Campbell for Brentford when he was 23. He was very raw and had come into the professional game late, but he learnt quickly. And his finishing for Blackpool in their Championship play-off semi-final against Nottingham Forest last season was technique exemplified – finding position, staying calm, then passing the ball beyond the goalkeeper into the net.
CLINICAL FINISHING
SETUP AREA
Penalty area EQUIPMENT
Two or more balls, goal, cones NUMBER OF PLAYERS
1 goalkeeper Any number of strikers
What do I get the players to do?
Place a cone a yard inside each goalpost. The striker, standing in the centre of the D outside the penalty box, passes the ball to the coach, who is standing directly in front of him on the 18-yard line. The coach will touch the ball out to either side, the striker must side-foot past the goalkeeper between the left or right cone and the post. He can follow-up any rebounds. Strikers retrieve their shots and return to the start area.
The coach will switch play from side to side to test the left and right foot in equal measure.
Next, we tell the striker to shoot across the keeper, with an additional forward in place to follow-up any loose balls with a one-touch finish. We are always looking to alter the shooting angle, by changing the placement and weight of the set-up pass.
To progress, stand the forward at the junction of the D and the 18-yard line on the other side of the box. A ball is played to the penalty spot where the striker meets it for a finish into the bottom
26 Elite Soccer: The Collectors’ Series Volume 1 KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
The striker's pass is touched to either the right or the left for a shot on goal, aimed between the post and the cone.
1
2 KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
The striker now shoots across the goalkeeper with an additional forward ready to react to rebounds
3 KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
The coach now serves the ball from the goal line to the penalty spot for the player to shoot across the keeper
www.elitesoccercoaching.net
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