Here is a multi functional session I did today with my U19 side. It’s focusses on decision making in the final third. You can adjust the session to suit by adjusting the size of the playing area or by limiting touches. It’s important to consider the physical needs of your players regarding the size of the playing area, as is number of participants.

I feel it’s important to practice shooting from distance, having the confidence to do it. Equally important though is breaking through the opponents defensive line or off side trap, that is to say the timing of the forward run. To add further realism, we add an element of crossing too into the session.

I set up as follows using half a pitch

Players in two teams, here is 5v5, although I did use 6v6 today. Play starts with the goal keeper playing the ball anywhere into the playing area. Players combine to attack/defend (there will be plenty of turnovers of possession) looking to get a shot off. Players cannot shoot goal side of the cones. The one exception at this stage is that one player can enter the area should a shot rebound off the keeper/goal posts, but the rebound shot must be taken first time.

When shooting from distance I’m looking to encourage the players to be accurate (hit the target), and focus on technique (curler, chip, drive through ball with laces, volleys – head over ball for the last two). Regarding rebounds can we anticipate the rebound and convert with confidence first time

The first progression is to break through the coned line (break through a defence or spring the off side trap). So a player can be played in past the cones, but again he must shoot with a first time shot. None of his team mates can enter through the cones with him, nor can any defenders. Please note that throughout the session players can still shoot from distance, so now they need to start making realistic decisions

Coaching points here would be timing of your run (you cannot already be past the cones to receive the ball (offside), combination and build up play to put a player through 1v1 against the keeper, technique of first time shot (low, hard, corners or lift the ball over the keeper etc).

You can progress the session further here by allowing one of the defensive players to try and stop the shot.

My final progression today was to add crosses. The team in possession could work the ball into the channel between the penalty area and touchline. No defender is allowed in here. The wide player is allowed a maximum of two touches to deliver the cross. The team in possession can attack through the cones to try and score, and the defending team too can go in to defend. You can obviously coach movement to attack the cross.

When an outcome is reached, play will restart again from the keeper.