Final Third Work: Creating and Scoring Goals

This session was presented at the 2019 Soccer Champions Coaches’ Clinic by Erica Dambach, National Champion Penn State Women's Coach & Past U.S. Women's National Team Coach.

The 2020 Soccer Champions Coaches' Clinic, February 20 - 22, 2020 will take place at the spectacular Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino. Find out more here.

Finishing Club Warm-up

A few variations detailed below

1. Coach hand tossing different types of balls in for one touch inside of the foot finishes into near post (side corner goals optional - work from both sides)

2. Attacking players works in between 3 defenders - work across and receive ball from coach turn and beat defender with first touch and finish

3. Same as above but check back to ball instead of working across the defender

4. 3 different servers and different piles of balls - set up 5 defenders in a tight space around 8 yards out and receive ball back to goal - work through defenders and finish

Final Third Work: Creating and Scoring Goals

Bayern 'Break the Line' Finishing

Final third work emphasizing "Line Breaking Runs"

1. 11 to 7 / 7 to 11 - (Players working in positions as much as possible)

Player 2 checks away and back to receive a pass from Player 1, Player 3 times their run between the central defenders to receive a straight pass from Player 2. Goal is to break the back four line, being aware of the offside line and attempt to finish on 1 touch. Strong run between central defenders is vital. Player 3 returns to back of line, Players 1 and 2 run into the box to finish from a cross.

2. Up / Back / Thru

Player 1 plays directly into the #9 who sets for Player 2 in support Player 3 times their run between the OB and CB to finish. #9 and Player 2 run into the box to finish from a cross, Player 3 works back to the beginning of the line.

Final Third Work: Creating and Scoring Goals

1 v 1 to 3 v 2

Stick 1 at 22 yards. Stick 2 at 25 yards. 1/3 of attacking team at stick 1, 2/3 of attacking team at stick 2.

1. Starts with attacking team dribbling to goal from line 1. 1 v 1 with defender coming out of defending line 1 on touch from attacker. Ends with save, ball over line or cleared from 18.

2. Ball played from attacking line 2 into attacker that just finished 1 v 1. 2 v 1 to goal. Ends with save, ball over line or cleared from 18.

3. Ball played from attacking line 2 into one of 2 attackers that just finished 2 v 1. Defender joins from line 2 and game is now 3 v 2. Ends with save, ball over line or cleared from 18. Series then starts over with 1 v 1. Switch roles.

Final Third Work: Creating and Scoring Goals

Punishers

2 teams - two piles of balls and coach with each pile to serve

Team A on offense - 2 players in the box, 2 wingers, 2 punishers and all others in 2 lines

Team B on defense - 2 players in the box man to man marking

3 min rounds - each turn consists of 2 balls, one from Coach A to wide player and one from Coach B for 2 v 2 in the box. Play until goal is scored (1pt) or ball is cleared. (Optional variation: 1 pt for a blocked shot that stays inbounds). Punishers can finish first time for a ball that pops out or can be used to combine with in 1 touch. If ball goes through from one winger to the other it can be re-served.

Final Third Work: Creating and Scoring Goals
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