Week 31

Outcomes

• ✓Players can redirect a firm pass first-time on target.
• ✓Players can adjust their body shape quickly to meet a ball on the move.
• ✓Players can finish first-time from both a ground pass and a low cross.
• ✓Players can communicate their readiness to the server before the ball is played.

Equipment

• 10 cones
• 6 bibs
• 10 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 keepers

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Pairs, one ball, 8 yards apart in open space.

   How to run it: Quick-fire one-touch passing. Every pass must be returned first-time. After 10 passes, step back to 12 yards. After another 10, return to 8 yards at higher pace.

   • ›Prepare your body before the ball arrives — don't wait.
   • ›Soft surface: meet the ball, don't just stick your foot out.
   • ›Communicate with your partner: 'Go!' to signal readiness.

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Groups of three, two servers and one finisher, 10 yards from mini-goal.

   How to run it: Servers pass alternately to the finisher who returns one-touch to each. After 10 touches, finisher takes one first-time finish at the mini-goal from either server's pass. Rotate roles.

   • ›Stay on your toes between touches.
   • ›Open your hips toward the finishing target as the last pass arrives.
   • ›Keep your eye on the ball through contact.

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: Full goal with keeper. Three servers: one central at 15 yds, one wide left at 45 degrees, one wide right at 45 degrees. Finisher in the box.

   How to run it: Coach points to a server; that server plays immediately; finisher must finish first-time regardless of angle or pace. Six reps then rotate finisher. Progress: coach points while the ball is already in the air from a previous serve — forces rapid readjustment.

   • ›Read the server's body shape before they pass.
   • ›Get your standing foot pointing toward goal before contact.
   • ›Deflect, don't blast — use the pace of the ball.

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 3v1 in a 15×15 yd grid. Three attackers plus a finisher target player at a mini-goal. One defender.

   How to run it: Three attackers must complete five passes before the target player is allowed to shoot. The finish must be first-time from the final pass. Defender tries to intercept. Rotate the defender every three minutes.

   • ›Target player: always face the passer — show a target.
   • ›Passers: deliver the ball to the finisher's stronger side.
   • ›Finish through the ball — don't scoop it.

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 5v5 including keepers, 35×25 yd, full goals.

   How to run it: Standard match. First-time goals count double. Coach announces every first-time goal with 'First-time! Two points!' to reinforce the reward.

   • ›Play quick, sharp passes into feet to create first-time chances.
   • ›Move after every pass — be available for the return.
   • ›Keeper: don't advance unless sure — first-time shots are hard to read.

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Pairs, light passing while talking.

   How to run it: Easy passing to wind down. Coach asks: 'What is the hardest part of finishing first-time?' Collect honest answers and address the top issue briefly.

   • ›Preparation before the ball arrives is the whole game.
   • ›Great first-time finishers are made in training, not matches.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can time a run to arrive on the end of a cross for a first-time finish.
• ✓Players can execute a give-and-go and finish the return pass first-time.
• ✓Players can score from a first-time volley or half-volley from a low cross.
• ✓Players can identify when a first-time finish is the best option versus controlling first.

Equipment

• 12 cones
• 8 bibs
• 8 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 keepers

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Each player with a ball, 15×15 yd grid.

   How to run it: Players toss the ball up slightly and volley or half-volley it back to themselves at knee height. After 10 reps solo, work in pairs: one tosses underhand, the other half-volleys back. Catch-toss-volley rhythm.

   • ›Half-volley: strike the ball just as it bounces up from the ground.
   • ›Locked ankle, toes slightly down.
   • ›Keep the technique smooth — power comes from technique.

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Two wide channels each side of the penalty area, full goal with keeper.

   How to run it: Wide player dribbles to the byline and delivers a low cross into the box. Two central runners time their runs and attempt a first-time finish. Rotate positions after every three crosses from each side.

   • ›Runners: don't enter the box until the wide player is at the byline.
   • ›Near-post runner attacks the cross early; far-post runner peels late.
   • ›Finish across the keeper — hit the far post.

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: Give-and-go finishing: two cones 10 yards from goal, one at 6 yards as a return wall. Player passes to the wall, receives, finishes first-time. Keeper in goal.

   How to run it: Player A passes to Player B (the wall) at the 6-yard cone, B plays a firm first-time return into A's path, A finishes first-time. Progress: B can now redirect the return to either side, forcing A to adjust.

   • ›Timing of the run: move as you pass to the wall.
   • ›First touch of the return — use the pace, redirect across.
   • ›Commit to the finish — don't pull out.

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 4v3 (+keeper) in a 25×20 yd zone. Attackers earn two points for a first-time finish, one point for a controlled finish.

   How to run it: Attackers use numerical advantage to create first-time finishing opportunities. Defenders earn a point for each turnover. Rotate one defender from each group every three minutes.

   • ›Exploit the overload — draw defenders before playing in the finisher.
   • ›Wall passes create first-time chances — use them.
   • ›Defenders: force attackers into their weaker foot.

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 6v6 including keepers, 40×30 yd, full goals.

   How to run it: Free match. Coach introduces a constraint: each team must attempt at least one first-time shot per minute of play or concedes a free kick from halfway. Coach keeps a visible tally.

   • ›Make runs to create first-time chances — movement is the trigger.
   • ›Quick combinations in the final third open first-time shots.
   • ›Keepers: save the game, not just the shot.

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Group circle stretch.

   How to run it: Light stretching. Coach nominates three players to describe a first-time finish they attempted today — what worked and what they'd do differently.

   • ›Self-reflection is how players improve.
   • ›Every attempt, even a miss, teaches something.