Liverpool 2 Phase Finishing

Instructions/Setup:

In this drill, two teams of two work on attacking and finishing, while incorporating fitness through sprints. Play starts with the first team attacking one of the goals, receiving a cross and attempting to score. Once the shot is taken, the players must immediately sprint 30 yards to the opposite side of the field. Upon arrival, they will then attempt to score in the opposite goal after receiving another cross. This cycle is repeated, creating a continuous loop of fitness and finishing work.

The drill is designed to help players improve their finishing ability while also focusing on their endurance, speed, and ability to recover quickly. The intensity of the drill increases as players continue to alternate between attacking and sprinting.

Coaching Notes:

• Timing the Runs: Players must time their runs correctly to meet the crosses in dangerous positions. Encourage good communication between the player delivering the cross and the one attacking the goal.

• Finishing Under Pressure: Players should focus on finishing quickly and accurately, especially after sprinting long distances. Quick reactions are important to score before the defenders can recover.

• Sprinting Recovery: The sprint back after finishing should be done at maximum effort, ensuring players recover and maintain a high level of intensity throughout the drill.

• Cross Accuracy: Players delivering the crosses should focus on providing accurate balls into the box, with variation in height and timing to challenge the attackers.

Progression 1: Add Defenders:

Introduce a defender in the box to pressure the attackers during the finishing phase. This adds a layer of challenge, forcing players to finish under pressure while maintaining the intensity of the drill.

Focus: This progression enhances both fitness and decision-making under pressure, simulating match-like conditions.

Progression 2: Increase Sprint Distance:

Increase the sprint distance to 40 or 50 yards, depending on the fitness level of the players. This longer sprint will further challenge the players’ stamina and speed, requiring them to recover more efficiently between attacks.

Focus: This progression helps improve fitness levels while maintaining finishing accuracy under fatigue.