Finishing Under Pressure: 2 Small-Sided Shooting Games

The best shooting technique won’t help much if a player makes the wrong decision under pressure. In front of goal, there’s often only a split second to read the situation, control the ball and finish. At the same time, defenders are putting pressure on the attacker and taking away space and time.

That’s why finishing practice shouldn’t consist only of repeating shooting movements. Players have to learn to recognize scoring chances in complex game situations, quickly choose the right solution and execute it with clean technique. Small-sided games with finishing are ideal for this. They combine perception, decision-making and shooting in a realistic game situation.

Another important idea: increase the difficulty step by step. At first, numerical advantages create lots of finishing opportunities. Then reduce the overload and increase the defensive pressure, so players have to execute their actions under increasingly difficult conditions.

The following two small-sided games come from coach and author Peter Schreiner. They develop the ability to take chances under time and opponent pressure and train key qualities of successful goal scorers such as perception, decisiveness and composure in front of goal.

Small-Sided Games Inside the Penalty Box

In finishing games, it’s essential that players get lots of shots under game conditions. That requires a numerical advantage for the attackers, giving them an edge that should lead to plenty of shots on goal.

Only then do the attackers get enough repetitions for the coach to give detailed feedback and for learning to happen. The bigger the overload, the easier it is for the strikers to score.

To keep things flowing, use a server (coach or player) who restarts play whenever the ball goes out.

Finishing games should be played in the area where it happens in matches – in and around the penalty box.

4 vs 2 + 1 on 1 Goal – Using the Overload to Get Shots

Organization & Procedure

Field: penalty box; 4 attackers + 1 server, 2 defenders, 1 goalkeeper.

1. The server passes into the box, and the 4 attackers combine against the two defenders to get as many effective shots as possible.
2. After a turnover, a missed shot or a save, the next attack starts with the server outside the box.

Variations

• When an attacker makes a mistake, they quickly swap the pinnie they’re holding in their hand with the defender who has been defending the longest.
• The ratio of attackers to defenders can be varied in many ways. The coach sets the overload so that the attackers get as many shots as possible.
• The stronger the strikers, the smaller the overload should be:
  – 4 vs 1 (easier for the attackers)
  – 4 vs 3 (harder for the attackers)
  – 5 vs 2, 5 vs 3 or 6 vs 4

Coaching Points

• The attackers should make the field as wide as possible so it’s hard for the defenders to block shots. Goal: either the middle opens up or a striker gets a shot from the outside.

3 vs 3 + 3 – Shooting After a Cutback from the End Line

Organization & Procedure

Play 3 vs 3 in the penalty box plus a goalkeeper, with 3 neutral players: one on each side of the goal, 3–7 m to the left/right of the post, and one (A) at the edge of the box as a passing option.

1. Green attacks against white; the red players are neutral.
2. A passes from the edge of the box to an attacker (green) to start the 3 vs 3.
3. The neutral players always pass to the team in possession, which should shoot as quickly as possible and take every scoring chance.
4. After a goal, the scoring team keeps possession.
5. If the defenders win the ball, they must first pass it to A before the next attack starts.
6. Which team scores the most goals?
7. Rotate the neutral players regularly.

Coaching Points

• Shooting under time and opponent pressure close to goal.
• Recognize and take scoring chances quickly.
• Make deliberate use of the neutral players.