Week 36

Outcomes

• ✓Players can strike a driven, dipping long-range shot with consistency from 20–25 yds
• ✓Players can redirect a cross or cutback with a first-time finish without controlling the ball first
• ✓Players can attack a cross with correct heading technique to produce an accurate, directed header
• ✓Players can read the flight of a cross and position their body to attack it from a run

Equipment

• 12 cones
• 6 poles
• 4 bibs (2 colours)
• 6 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 goalkeepers

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: Two lines of 6 across the top of the 18-yard box. Foam targets on the goalposts.

   How to run it: FIFA 11+ protocol, then a finishing warm-up: each player strikes 3 shots from 20 yds (2 with dominant foot, 1 with weaker foot). Follow with 5 headed finishes each from a coach's serve. Focus on accuracy over power. Finish with two 20-yd explosive sprints toward goal.

   • ›Long-range strike: locked ankle, lean slightly forward, strike through the centre of the ball
   • ›Header from a serve: arch back, snap forward, direct it down to the far corner
   • ›Weaker foot: same technique as the dominant foot – don't poke at it

2. 2. Technical/Functional Practice – Finishing Circuit

   15m

   Set up: Full-size goal with goalkeeper. Three stations: (1) long-range shooting from 20–25 yds with a step-over or body feint before the shot; (2) cutback finishing from a wide serve; (3) aerial finishing from a lofted cross. Groups of 4 rotate every 5 minutes.

   How to run it: Station 1: player dribbles at a passive defender, executes a feint, and shoots from outside the area (5 reps). Station 2: wide player serves a cutback; central player finishes first time (5 reps each side). Station 3: wide player delivers a lofted cross; striker attacks the far post for a headed finish (5 reps each side). All three stations run simultaneously.

   • ›Station 1: the feint must be convincing – if you skip it the shot loses its element of surprise
   • ›Station 2: first-time finish – set the hips before the ball arrives so you redirect it, not scoop it
   • ›Station 3: attack the cross at the highest point; don't wait for it to drop
   • ›Goalkeeper: challenge every shot with proper technique – don't concede the drill

3. 3. Skill/Phase Game – Shooting Game (1v1 + Support)

   15m

   Set up: Final third, 30×40 yds, full-size goal with goalkeeper. 1v1 between the centre-back and striker, with a wide support player who delivers the ball. Three groups rotate.

   How to run it: Wide support player serves the ball to the striker who is in a 1v1 with the centre-back. Striker attempts to shoot from outside the area (long-range) or beat the defender and shoot inside. Wide player can provide a cutback if the striker plays the ball wide first. 8 reps per group before rotating.

   • ›Take the long-range shot when the defender is retreating – don't wait until they close you down
   • ›If the defender sits off, shoot; if they press, take them on for a closer opportunity
   • ›Wide player's cutback is the second option: always be in position for it

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – Finishing From All Distances

   20m

   Set up: Full 60×44 yd pitch. 9v9 with goalkeepers. Long-range goals (from outside the 18-yard box) count triple. Headed goals count double.

   How to run it: Normal 9v9 with bonus scoring. Encourage players to shoot from distance when the goalkeeper is off their line. Coach calls 'shoot!' when a player has a long-range opportunity they haven't taken. Freeze once to show a moment where a long-range shot was missed and walk through the setup that created the opportunity.

   • ›Defenders: close down long-range shooters – force them wide and cut the angle
   • ›Midfielders: arrive late into shooting positions after combinations to shoot from the edge of the area
   • ›Striker: hold the defenders' attention so the arriving midfielder has space to shoot
   • ›Keeper: positioning is critical – don't be caught off your line when the ball is outside the area

5. 5. Scrimmage – Free Play

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch, 9v9, goalkeepers.

   How to run it: Open scrimmage. Coach encourages shooting from distance when the opportunity arises. Note the three best finishing moments for the debrief.

   • ›Is there a culture of shooting from outside the box, or are players always looking for the 'safe' option inside?
   • ›Celebrate long-range goals – they are high-effort, high-reward

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Circle, static stretching.

   How to run it: Stretching while asking: 'When should you shoot from distance instead of looking for a central option?' (When the keeper is off their line, or the central option is blocked.) Close with homework.

   • ›Reinforce: variety in finishing makes a team unpredictable and harder to defend
   • ›Preview Session 2: position-specific finishing

Outcomes

• ✓Players can finish as a centre-forward after a target-play lay-off, linking combination with shot
• ✓Players can arrive from deep as a midfielder to finish at the far post from a wide cross
• ✓Players can take on a defender as a wide forward, cut inside, and shoot on their stronger foot
• ✓Players can finish decisively under time and defensive pressure without pausing to compose

Equipment

• 10 cones
• 4 bibs (2 colours)
• 5 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 goalkeepers

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: Two groups of 6. 30×20 yd grid. Partner pairs – one as server, one as finisher.

   How to run it: FIFA 11+ protocol, then a position-specific warm-up: each pair works through three finish types for 3 minutes each – striker (back to goal receive + turn + shoot), midfielder (late arrival to the far post), wide forward (cut inside + shoot). Then 2×25-yd acceleration sprints.

   • ›Striker receive and turn: check shoulder before the ball arrives, turn away from the defender
   • ›Midfielder arrival: time the run so you arrive as the cross is delivered, not before
   • ›Wide forward cut: the chop must be sharp and definitive – not a hesitant step

2. 2. Technical/Functional Practice – Position-Specific Finishing Stations

   15m

   Set up: Full-size goal with goalkeeper. Three simultaneous stations, each with a semi-active defender: (1) striker target play + turn + shoot; (2) wide forward cut inside + shoot; (3) midfielder far-post run + finish from cross.

   How to run it: Groups of 4 rotate through stations every 5 minutes. Station 1: central service, striker lays off to a third player and then receives the return for a first-time finish. Station 2: ball played wide to a forward who beats a defender with a cut inside and shoots. Station 3: central player plays the ball wide, then makes a far-post diagonal run to meet the cross. 5 reps per station.

   • ›Station 1: lay-off weight is critical – too soft and the defender intercepts
   • ›Station 2: look up before the cut to see the goalkeeper's position – far post or near post?
   • ›Station 3: the far-post runner must stay patient and not arrive early into the goalkeeper's vision
   • ›All stations: composure after the technical action – don't rush the finish

3. 3. Skill/Phase Game – Position Rotation Finishing Game

   15m

   Set up: Half pitch. 6v6 with a goalkeeper. Positions are fluid: every 3 minutes, coach rotates players into different roles (striker, wide forward, midfielder).

   How to run it: Play 6v6 with live finishing. Every 3 minutes, coach rotates positions so every player experiences the striker, wide-forward, and midfielder finishing roles. Bonus point for goals scored in a new position (i.e. a defender who scores as a striker). Play two 9-minute halves total.

   • ›Positional rotation is a tactical advantage: unpredictable runners confuse defenders
   • ›Every player must know the finishing cues for all three positions
   • ›Support the player in the new position: give them the ball in a good position, don't make it harder

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – Q3 Showcase Scrimmage

   20m

   Set up: Full 60×44 yd pitch. 9v9 with goalkeepers. No conditions – full free play, match intensity.

   How to run it: Play a full free scrimmage at match intensity. Coach observes without interrupting. This is a showcase of all the Q3 themes: combinations, crossing, switching, block-breaking, set pieces, and finishing. Coach notes examples of each Q3 theme used in the game for the debrief.

   • ›Let the game breathe – no freezes, no interventions
   • ›Look for evidence of Q3 learning: third-man runs, cutbacks, set-piece organisation, counter-attacks
   • ›Note any Q3 theme that is absent – this informs Q4 priorities

5. 5. Scrimmage – Free Play

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch, 9v9, goalkeepers.

   How to run it: Continue the showcase scrimmage if time allows, or use for a position-specific challenge: strikers compete to score the most goals in 15 minutes.

   • ›Celebrate all goals – build confidence and enjoyment before the debrief
   • ›Note the most improved finisher over the course of Q3

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Circle, static stretching.

   How to run it: Stretching while reviewing the full Q3 block (Weeks 27–36): combinations, crossing, switching, overloads, low block, set pieces, throw-ins, counter-attacks, and finishing. Ask each player: 'What is one thing you improved this quarter?' Close with the Q3 homework challenge.

   • ›Q3 reflection: identify the strongest theme and the theme needing the most development going into Q4
   • ›End the quarter positively – acknowledge the whole group's progress