Week 67 Finishing Under Pressure

Instructions/Setup:

In this finishing drill, the striker begins by making a movement to either the left or right pole, as determined by the coach or server. As the striker makes this movement, a defender, who starts behind the server, begins to recover and apply pressure on the attacker. Once the attacker receives the pass, they must quickly turn and attack the goal to finish, while being closely pressured by the recovering defender.

This drill works on both the striker's movement off the ball, their ability to finish under pressure, and their decision-making when closing down the goal.

Coaching Notes:

• Off-the-Ball Movement: Encourage the striker to make a sharp and purposeful movement towards the poles to create space for themselves. This movement should be explosive, allowing them to receive the ball in a favorable position to attack the goal.

• Receiving Under Pressure: The striker must focus on controlling the ball efficiently despite pressure from the defender. Remind them to receive with their body open and prepare to shoot quickly, minimizing time on the ball.

• Finishing Under Pressure: The striker should maintain composure when shooting under pressure. Encourage them to focus on placement over power and aim for the far corners of the goal to increase the likelihood of scoring.

• Defender's Pressure: The recovering defender should apply pressure, forcing the striker to make a decision quickly. The attacker should be prepared to adjust their finish based on the defender's positioning.

Progression 1: Increase Defender Pressure:

Start the defender closer to the attacker, reducing the time and space for the striker to finish. This progression encourages the striker to be even more decisive in their movement and finishing.

Focus: This will increase the challenge of finishing under pressure, simulating real match conditions where defenders are constantly closing down the attacker.

Progression 2: Add a Second Defender:

Introduce a second defender who arrives shortly after the first. The attackers will now need to make quicker decisions and may need to look for a different finishing option.

Focus: This progression replicates a more intense match situation where attackers are under more pressure from multiple defenders, improving their ability to handle stress and execute a quality finish.