Equipment Needed
- Several balls
- Cones or lines to mark the field
- Goal with goalkeeper (optional, can use a cone target)
Setup
- Midfielder starts roughly 25 to 30 yards out; striker lines up outside the box.
- A cone or goalkeeper marks the goal line; cones mark the outer lane boundaries.
Instructions
- Midfielder positions in the middle of the field; striker starts outside the box, ready to make a timed run.
- Striker makes a forward run; midfielder plays a weighted through ball into space ahead of the striker.
- Striker takes one or two touches to set up the shot, controlling the ball with an open first touch.
- Finish with a quality shot on target within the six-yard box, then rotate roles and positions.
Coaching Points
- Midfielder: Weight the pass so the striker can take it in stride without having to break pace or adjust too much.
- Striker: Time the run so you're meeting the ball at the edge of the box, not arriving too early or too late.
- First touch: Use an open first touch to kill the ball and set up the shot in one motion if possible.
- Finishing: Quality over power - accuracy and placement beat distance, especially inside the box.
Variation
Add a defender closing down to create game-like pressure. Progress to angled runs (left wing, right wing) to vary the angle of approach. Alternate with chip shots or driven finishes to build different finishing techniques.