Teach Youth Soccer Players to Finish!!

Finishing and Shooting Drills you can incorporate into your training sessions
#youthsoccer #soccerexercises #coachrorysoccer #soccercoaching #youthsoccercoaching #soccerfinishing #soccershooting

[@bleakcostt]

On the knock out shooting session, I just want to mention that the better players are getting more reps than the weaker shooters. An alternative format would be having to score in order to step back, that way all your shooters get reps at the distance they’re weakest at. You can still have winners in that the first player to clear the predetermined distances wins, then you have 2nd, 3rd etc. if you don’t want the game to drag to long, each shooter could have a set number of total shots. Just a thought

[@Bennys_SC_Aquatics]

Big thumbs up from all the way over (and down 😂) in Australia. It's Soo good to find a youth coach that uses non specific instructions to help build and guide their players. I see it every weekend, pass it to ........ Or ......... Is open. Let the kids learn to find their own best easy pass and build them up that way. Thanks Coach Rory 👏🏻

[@CoachRorySoccer]

💯 glad it helps!!

[@sirioussam05]

I am new to coaching, volunteered for my son's U10 team. Your videos are by far the best resource out there. I've used your battle box warm up and i love the 1v1 and 2v1 practice. This video on finishing also helps me understand what the team needs to be doing differently to score goals!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Awesome! Thank you. Let me know how it goes.

[@EliasHessler]

What I do for the shooting drill, to minimize waiting times for kids eliminated, is to set up a couple of PUGG goals just outside the box. So as soon as 2 kids are eliminated it's 1v1 than 2v1 etc.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Good stuff!

[@lobachevskyyy]

You mention that you have a philosophy about "what kids should be doing at home". Id like a video on that please!

[@lobachevskyyy]

Or atleast a reply. Thanks!!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

I’ll add it to the list. Good idea for a video. Perhaps a good question to add to a series I want to start weekly caller “Ask Rory” where I answer a question

[@lobachevskyyy]

@@CoachRorySoccerI love the "Ask Rory" idea. Looking forward to it. Thanks!

[@mu8-football]

I really like the main drill and I'm definitely going to give it a try, but as others have said, rather than eliminate players in the shooting drill, it could be changed to a progression system. It's good to have competitions to see who's the best, but I think it should be tempered with training others to get better as well. As this session is about finishing rather than shooting, the focus could be on accuracy rather than power, by using multiple smaller goals at different distances they need to aim for as they progress. It's also good to keep the ball moving when practicing finishing/shooting, as the ball is hardly ever static in game situations.

[@laxrulz7]

One thing to try is to invest in some heavy gage rope and tie a piece about two feet from the posts along the cross bar. The players only score goals if they kick it between the rope and the post. This gets the kids used to kicking towards the outside of the goal out of habit (rather than having to make a frantic decision in games. This is particularly important when doing dedicated shooting drills as you describe because there's a big tendency (especially with boys) to value power over accuracy. And your accuracy always declines in game conditions. So forcing them to reflexively do this is really important. Lastly, IME, dedicated shooting drills that replicate game conditions are amongst the most important drills to do in practice because so many kids lack the space or setup to do them at home. And even if they do, they're the most disconnected from game conditions and the "lowest rep" drills they can do by themselves.

[@echelon-thepanamanian_papi6144]

Would love to hear more about this and see some of the drills you use

[@briankehoe5134]

Thank you for this video. Your drills are very well thought out and my team will have a lot of fun doing them!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Let me know it goes! And thank you!!

[@chrisgrant3939]

These are gold!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Thank you!

[@championkitsdad]

First, thank you for your videos! They have been a great resource in my coaching journey. One thing that stands out to me is that in the shooting drill, while you're encouraging competition by letting the players who meet the "only in the net" challenge move to the next round, the players who were not as successful didn't get more chances to shoot until the remaining players are finished. On my team, which has some pretty big skill gaps between players, I'm imagining that we would consistently have 2-3 players who would last at least 4 or 5 rounds after the rest of the kids were out. Playing small sided games with 1 big goal vs 2 smaller goals as part of the same practice provides the entire team some opportunities to shoot, but generally the same kids who would "win" the shooting drill would be the ones scoring. Any suggestions for getting the players who are not great shooters more repetitions so they can improve?

[@allanyoung4221]

Agree with your comment. Keep score rather than kids being knocked out. Everyone gets the same amount of practice and you still keep the competitive element

[@blobboflava]

Awesome coaching advice, and very clear video. Loved your ideas and cannot wait to implement. The comments are good as well.❤

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Great! Good luck!

[@fabianlopez3693]

Dear Coach Rory, I really like your channel and information, I think it is sensible and the topics enrich the aspects of gaming development in the USA. I respectfully believe that the approaches of 7v7, 8v8, etc. systems should not be the issue as they limit the nature of the freedom of play in the formation. I am from South America and before the age of 14 the freedom of the game is fundamental and the schemes are references so that each child in controlled spaces (like in the academy system in the USA, pay to play) can discover and exploit the positions of the game, something like a creative chaos that has a companion, a facilitator in the coach, and after 14 when knowledge has generated experience, that is when, for me, linear and formal spaces must be established according to the context of the game to be developed by the players as challenges and game situations. Greetings!

[@reference_realistic]

Thank you so much for this

[@estif01]

Great videos, thank you! I'm glad to see you're reading "Angels with Dirty Faces" by Jonathan Wilson, great read!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Very much so! Thanks.

[@RavenAUS]

Really helpful video! Thanks

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Sure!

[@LuisMartinez-li3kb]

Great video, I will incorporate the training exercise with my players next season. I had the same problem with players trying to swing everything they got into the receiving cross. I showed them how easy it was to use the inside of the foot and direct it to goal. For a future video idea, maybe some goalkeeper training on positioning, and role with the defense. Also, any exercises on quick counter attacks. Thanks for the video👍

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Great ideas! Will add to the list. 😬

[@realcneale]

More please coach!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

On the way brother!!

[@josezuniga6108]

Good stuff coach! Really enjoy the content, very informative

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Appreciate it!

[@pascalcooper4518]

Goalies should switch when they allow a goal. Stay in till you get scored on. If your net is big enough the back up keeper should be inside the net. Not behind it or off to the side. 3rd keeper goes behind.

[@VagifBabayev-x8c]

Hello. Firstly, I wanted to express my gratitude for the informative videos you've shared; they've been incredibly helpful. I've been delving into the world of 7-a-side formations lately and came across the 2-1-1-2 formation. It seems quite intriguing, and I was wondering if you could share your thoughts on its effectiveness. Specifically, could you list the advantages and disadvantages of using this formation?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Thank you! I’ve never used a 2-1-1-2. For me the question is how do you build on your formation from 7 a side. So my preferred 231 builds easy to 431 or 4211. I prefer keeping a back line of 4 throughout. At the end of the day the specified formation is less important than building a foundational understand of how to play.

[@MikeBaas]

Oh yes!

[@MikeBaas]

Can you progress the starting 4 spots to 9v9 for me? THANKS!

[@rmn3665]

Thank you

[@CoachRorySoccer]

For sure man!!

[@agrothaussoccer]

I like your videos for their organization, video quality and valuable information. Your last shooting game could be changed to everyone stays in the game, but you give points for each shot made-maybe giving more points for the farther the shot is taken. Your example eliminates the players that need the most practice.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Absolutely. Love that idea!

[@samseljan3095]

Hi coach. Great video. We did the four player attacking pattern yesterday at practice. I was surprised how challenging it was for our (U-9) kids. I was thinking of modifying it to remove the pass to the center mid-fielder - to go direct to the wing and then to make the cross. Does that make sense? Our center midfielders really struggled to receive the pass and then pass it accurately to the wing. Alternatively, maybe that's all the more reason to practice just that. Thoughts?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Oh yeah makes sense. You have to modify based on abilities etc. I like to encourage the ball out wide from center mid just because it is a pattern I want them to do in games. But the point of the exercise is to work on finishing from crosses so do whatever you need to

[@R.L.Humpert]

Hey Roy We chatted a few days back. What are your thoughts on the left and right backs in this sense. Would you play a left foot dominant player on the left side or swap them over to the right side since the ball often can be played toward the middle and they’re able to get on it and clear or pass it better in defensive situations? I see both sides but I’m thinking at the youth level if they’re forcing the ball carrier wide and they break in or if they take it away then the ball is actually on their strong foot even though they might be left footed playing the right side. Just curious your thoughts. Thanks.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Yeah I like to play my wingers on both sides switching it up because of this exact decision you’re describing.

[@tillmandavids]

Coach Rory, whats the best way to incorporate this for a 9v9 4-3-1 formation? Would you bring your FB into the drill or just your LCM, RCM, CM and 9 on the line? How would you have them line up and start? Thanks again!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

There is slight variation here. I would definitely bring the FB into it. Depends a little bit on how your setup 9v9. With a 431 it’s more straight forward as the FB should be the wide player crossing it in. The striker goes near post, ACM on opposite side goes far post (for me) ACM on same side goes penalty spot and your 6 goes into zone 14. This is actually a good idea for a video, I’ll add it to the list!

[@michaelwarren3351]

I'm struggling to get the kids to shoot, let alone properly. They seem scared to shoot or can't make decisions who should! We out play teams but cannot score goals. Any help would be appreciated!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

That will come in time. Keep with the basics. The younger the age the more likely you will lose playing the right way. The teams that win often boot ball down the field and take shots from far distances. The decision making etc gets better with age.

[@michaelwarren3351]

@CoachRorySoccer thanks mate. Will keep going. The kids are under 10s and play some great football, just can't score enough to win!

[@abigailcazares7411]

Thank you for this great content! Regarding the finishing exercise why did the cm made the first goal and then when the next group went, the striker made the goal? I’m clearly missing something.. lol 😅

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Well it’s up to the wing serving the ball which runner they pick out. So it depends where the ball goes. If it goes near post the striker should finish. If it goes pen spot then the CM finishes etc.

[@abigailcazares7411]

@@CoachRorySoccer I understand now. Thanks for your reply!

[@GhostGhost-tx5bz]

Coach, I coach a 12u soccer rec team and parents don’t feel that practice should be mandatory and we only get one practice a week. We are 1-4 and have given up 20 goals to 8. What’s your outlook on this?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Yeah if the parents aren’t looking for more that’s what they will get. You pretty much have to deal with what you have. Do you have a child on the team? Are they looking for more? If so perhaps you need to move to a more competitive environment

[@GhostGhost-tx5bz]

@@CoachRorySoccer Yes coach my daughter plays. We ended the season 2-4 and made playoffs. We lost in the playoffs to the #1 team last night. Prior to this game we had practice this past Sunday and only 3 players showed up. Had a few parents upset after the game because at half time I told the kids “this is why practice is vital” and they didn’t like it.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

@@GhostGhost-tx5bz good for you! Kids need to understand what commitment means

[@GhostGhost-tx5bz]

@@CoachRorySoccer Thanks Coach. I will be coaching competitive soccer come this spring. Do you offer any training advice that I can purchase from a more in depth perspective?

[@michaelbrouwer6862]

Hi! Really enjoying ur videos! Only one question. We play 8vs8, 1-3-3-1. In your videos u play 7vs7, 1-2-3-1. What line up could I play and use ur exercises like the "patterns" ?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

8v8 I usually recommend a 1-2-3-2 with two strikers. It’s slightly different because the two strikers are in the half spaces vs one striker who starts central. You can adjust the patterns for this though.

[@michaelbrouwer6862]

@@CoachRorySoccer wish we found u earlier in the season haha. We will start using ur input from this weekend on. Thanks a lot coach !

[@michaelbrouwer6862]

In this particular exercise, we play 2-3-2, instead of 4 players in a line I could place 5 people? So 2 backs, 2 strikers and the midfielder? Or let the midfielder stay behind after the pass?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

@@michaelbrouwer6862 oh yeah absolutely you can change it to match your formation and attack and I would do that!

[@R.L.Humpert]

I coach 14u girls and my new team is a very speedy team and strong up front with speed and how do you decide if you run a 4-4-2 or a 4-4-3? I know they both can change throughout a game but I kinda like the old school 4-4-2 as it feels like the field has more coverage area since 3 center backs can really tire out fast. Thanks

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Those two formations often times are fluid. Where you defend in a 442 but attack in a 433. There shouldn’t be 3 centerbacks on either of these formations. Did you mean 3 on the front line?

[@R.L.Humpert]

@@CoachRorySoccer sorry I meant 4-3-3. I don’t generally see the need for a center forward. I played in the 80-90’s and I was always up at forward and we played a 4-4-2. So the two of us would shift to the ball side so basically there was always a center striker and winger on the ball side. On a long switch the wide midfielder or full back could Make the far side run. Does that make sense? I feel that’s better than trying to get back on a counter on a big field with 12 year old girls. With only 3 mid and say the 2 wide go forward that leaves only the center mid in a 4-3-3. The stamina is also just not there. I’ve been coaching for about 30 years and took some time off, but now I’m 50 back at it and I know 4-4-2 is not as popular but why not? It can easily convert to a 442 on the attack where my offensive mid goes up and my def mid stays back some. I ran a 4-3-3 last season at times and I felt like we were exposed in those games where the middle of the field we didn’t control. 🤷🏼 What does your younger mind say? 😉

[@CoachRorySoccer]

@@R.L.Humpert I’m 45. So not much younger. 😂. I’d say it depends on your personal. 11v11 I have run more 4231 than anything. But that is because of my personal and what I’m trying to accomplish in build up. I think if your organized and train well the formation is less important

[@R.L.Humpert]

@@CoachRorySoccer I know what you’re saying but trying to get a group of girls that are probably about a flight 3 maybe flight 2 at times to understand the more complicated formations is so much harder to Keep them in formation. Maybe that’s me being lazy but I just try to keep it more simple and give my keeper more options with 8 girls spread out closer. Again I’m not sure there’s every a need for 3 strikers if one of the center mids sprints forward on a break. 🤷🏼 When I played we had sweepers 😂

[@R.L.Humpert]

What you go to a 433 with a team at this level or 442 for best results? My strikers are fast and strong and my center mids are strong but my left and right mids are good but smaller and all. Decent speed but smaller not as powerful. Thanks

[@soccerANDlife_10]

Hello sir Can you explain what is pen spot?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Penalty spot.

[@chriscook1785]

I understand what I am about to ask is subjective but coming out of the World Cup all I heard is the US needs a true #9. What can we do at the league/grassroots level to develop these skills?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Wow Chris. This is a huge question! I’ll do my best. Not sure this will make sense but I don’t think we can do anything based on the system we have in place. And to be honest I’m not particularly bullish on the usmnt or our progress. Not sure how much you know about soccer/futbol ecosystems and how they run in other countries? But what we have here is a closed system where only the elite few (owners) can participate. This affects everything down to the youth game which is where I practice. Pay to play. Development. Solidarity payments. These all flow from same system which here in the states is very different then most of the soccer world. Until we have a true open system at the top we will be very unlikely to develop a team who can win the World Cup. Let alone a world class number 9.

[@christhompson4611]

@Coach Rory Soccer could you do a video on explaining this. I'm trying to understand d the economics of soccer and your comment has been stuck in my head. Would love to hear it explained in detail.

[@pascalcooper4518]

I think that shooting / finishing has become one of the weakest aspects of the game. I see lots of teams that can hold the ball and control the midfield but then they can't score, or play defense for that matter. I played for two different multiple title winning teams that went seasons without being defeated and we always spent A LOT of time shooting. One of my teams did a round of penalties at the end of every practice and you had to score one before you could leave. Shooting is a good way to build up your keepers who are the foundation of the team. The recipe for success starts with strength on defense.

[@echelon-thepanamanian_papi6144]

You always have awesome content thanks for the tips

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Thanks! Hope this helps

[@iaiandocherty8576]

Stop concentrating on wins and loses and focus more on developing fundamentals!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

💯

[@justicefamilyemail7117]

Is there any way to do a finishing 11 v 11?

[@Swampass18]

What are you running for 8v8? Love the vids

[@CoachRorySoccer]

7v7

[@dougschlenk1107]

Thank you for all the videos. I've recently taken over my daughter's 10u team and I'm going to transition them into the 2-3-1 this winter and spring session. I have one main question and maybe this is a video for you to make in the future. But when defending on own half how many of the six field layers come back to defend and what does the shape and responsibilities look like? Thank you

[@CoachRorySoccer]

In general they all comeback to defend in our own half but the striker would stay high so I guess it depends where the ball is. The shape should be the same but much more narrow. If the ball is wide then everyone shifts. This is a good topic to do a video on actually thanks for the suggestion!

[@dougschlenk1107]

Thank you, the team defends well out of their current 1-2-1-2 formation where 5 girls comeback. I just want to be able to explain to them clearly who would cover wide and central. Thanks