Finishing outside the box, then inside it

Aim

• Improve accurate finishing: a hard, placed shot
• Good timing of the run into the box
• Movement and coordination between the forwards inside the box
• Finishing from crosses from wide
• Quick recovery by the goalkeeper between actions

How it runs

The drill combines a finish from an open position outside the box with an immediate move to a finish inside the box from a cross. First, one of the forwards shoots from outside the box without pressure, after a lay-off from the partner. Right after the shot, both forwards run into the box and get ready for a cross from the side. They have to time their movement and finish from inside the box. The focus is on a fast switch between actions, timing and decision-making inside the box.

Setup

1. Two forwards start outside the box
2. Three mannequins or poles in front of them stand in for the back line
3. After the shot, both forwards go straight into the box
4. Wingers (or coaches) stand on the sides of the pitch with balls and cross into the box
5. A goalkeeper in goal
6. Several balls with the wingers keep the work flowing

Coaching points

• Quality of the shot: accuracy and power, and the right choice of corner
• Receiving before the shot: a good set touch for the finish
• Timing of the run into the box: not too early, to stay onside, and not too late
• Movement that complements the other forward: one near and one far, one first and one second
• Goalkeeper work: quick recovery and ready for the second ball