Too often, players train in a way that is so different than what they will see in a real game that when they are in a situation to score in a game, they are so unaccustomed to being in that situation that they panic and fail. One reason for this is it's difficult to recreate the speed of play that they will see in a game during small group training.
ZIGZAG: start with 6 cones in 2 lines 3 yards apart outside the 18
A player starts on the outside of the cones, furthest from the goal and a server starts near the 18 across the field with a few balls. There is also a keeper in goal
The player starts by sprinting around each cone making a zig zag patten. This is done at full speed working on accelerating on each change of direction. The last sprint forward goes along the 18 toward the server
The server than plays a ball toward the runner who must finish first time
The key to this activity is it must be done as quickly as possible. The emphasis is on quick bursts through the cones, quick changes of direction and then an explosion to get to the ball and finish.
As soon as the first player is through the last cone, the next person would begin. If you have 9-12 players working at one time, they will be challenged to get their shot hit and then get back in line before it's their turn again.
Repeated from the other side as well.
The cones can be moved throughout the attacking third of the field to create different angles and situations to shoot from.
Keep the cones close together so the emphasis stays on the quick bursts rather than getting the legs extended on the sprints
Coaching Points and Variations
When cutting at cones make sharp movements, no rounding the cone
shooting balls with 1 instep 2 inside foot 3 bouncing balls 4 balls out of air. Work for about 5-10 minutes and switch in other group. I would stay with a specific shooting skill (ie: instep) for the 5-10 minutes, then change on next interval.

The field is 30 x 30 (size can vary) with full sized goals on each end.
There is a keeper in each goal and 2 v 2 on the field. There are extra players next to the goal the teams are attacking.
Make sure you have pleant of extra balls by the goals.
Have the extra players shag balls till their turn to play.

The ball starts with the yellow teams keeper and as soon as he puts the ball in play (putting the ball on the ground or throwing or kicking the ball), the game is live. Two yellow players attack and the two red players on the field defend. Also, the first red in line joins in and becomes the third defender.

The first inclination is for the new player to try to chase the ball down but instead, he should recover behind the other two defenders to become the supporting player.

When the ball changes possession (either from a shot, bad pass or some other turnover) the ball goes to the red keeper and one of the two original yellow red players leaves the field and when the ball is put in play, a yellow player adds on.

Whomever is on the longest is the player who rotates off next.

The keepers should try to get the ball in play quickly and try to penetrate with the first pass to negate the recovering runner.

The runners should try to get back quickly to provide proper support.

Coaching Points:
CP1:The attackers should go at speed to not allow the defending team to get into a numbers up situation.
CP2:Dribble at the opposing goal and take on opponents with direct dribble.(not go wide)


The first defenders should try to delay to allow the recovery runner time to recover.

This is a great activity for groups of 10-12 players.

It's a 2 v 2 v 2 game with three small goals in a triangle. The field is approximately 30 x 30 and the goals are 3 x 3.
YOU WILL NEED LOTS OF BALLS FOR THIS GAME.

1 team can try to score on either of the goals they are not defending. A team gets one point for scoring a goal and loses one point if a goal is scored against them.
If a goal is scored, the team that was scored upon gets the ball and can attack either goal.
You also have the option of adding more players (3 v 3 v 3) to make this more difficult.
One other option to consider is awarding a point for an assist leading to a goal as well as a point for scoring the goal. By doing this, a team could get 2 points for a goal (one for the assist and one for the goal) or they could pass the ball to a player on the other team who is in a position to score on the third team..

This can become a very tactical game because late in the game, it might not be good enough to just score a goal, you might need to score against a particular opponent with an assist to give your team 2 points and take one away from that particular opponent.

This is a fun game that takes advantage of possession, changing the point of attack, defending and thinking.
CP: FINDING THE OPEN GOAL..HEADS UP PLAY
CP: FINISHING WITH ACCURACY

[b]PROGRESSION 2: 3 GOAL GAME WITH GOALKEEPERS IN REGULAR SIZE GOALS. FIELD WILL BE 40X50 AND PLAY 4V4V4 [/b]

COACH IS THERE TO KEEP BALLS COMING IN. LIMIT YOUR COACHING HERE AND LET THEM PLAY.
TRY TO KEEP ALL COACHING POINTS TO FLOW MODEL INSTRUCTION. DONT BOG DOWN THE WORKOUT WITH A LOT OF FREEZE COACHING.

Today's featured activity works on quick organization in attack and defense.

This activity has a 40 x 30 grid with two full sized goals, a keeper in each goal, and two teams of either 4 or 6 per team. The teams start with equal numbers in their two defensive corners.

A server plays the ball into play and the first player from each line begins play.

These players stay on the field until a goal is scored or the ball goes out of play. When a goal is scored, or the ball goes out of play, the players on the field leave the field and are replaced by the next players in line.

This is an extremely fast moving game that requires communication, hard work and is a lot of fun.

Next, you can add two players from each team on opposite sides of midfield.
There are many options and restrictions you can put in depending upon the needs of the particular team.

CP: LOOK TO SCORE QUICKLY, IF YOU CANNOT SCORE LOOK TO PASS TO SOMEONE WHO CAN.
CP: DEFENSE GET BACK AND HAVE GOOD POSITION
CP: THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON THE COUNTER ATTACK

IF YOU PLAY THIS GAME OVER THE COURSE OF AN HOUR YOU WILL HAVE A VERY GOOD FITNESS AND MATCH CONDITION WORKOUT.

Quick pass exchanges between target players and midfielders resulting in a shot.

This would be considered small group training as you wouldn't want long lines in this activity. It's best if done in groups of 6-8 plus a keeper.

Start with a keeper in goal, a small line on the end line and another small line 30 yards out with balls. There are 3 cones around 22 yards out in a line, 2 yards apart. The players 30 yards out have balls.

The first person in the line on the end line starts by sprinting to the top of 18

The first person with the ball passes through the gate made up of two cones and then sprints on an angle toward the top of the 18. The key is for this pass to get to the target player at the same time the target player arrives at the top of the 18

The target player makes a one touch return pass through the second gate to the midfielder coming forward and this midfielder shoots first time.

As soon as the shot is hit, the next two players in line start.

The key to this activity is if the first pass doesn't go through the correct gate, or if it doesn't get there at the same time as the target player, the turn is over. Also, if the return pass doesn't go through the second gate, the turn is over. It's important for the players to understand that when in the final fourth of the field, precision counts.

Change the angles of the passes and the location within the 18 to give various looks at the goal.

CP1 you have the related fitness of the 18 yd run with demand of accuracy under pressure of speed. The finish will be after anaerobic activity.

This is an activity you would do with only a few players at a time.

Start with a midfielder (or back) around 40 yards from goal with some balls. There are two forwards near the top of the 18 close together.

The midfielder drives a ball into one of the forwards feet

While the ball is going toward the forward, the other forward bends back to provide one touch support to the receiving player

This allows for a one touch pass back and then a one touch shot on goal.

The last movement is for the initial receiver to spin off after the pass to follow the shot

The midfielder has the choice of making the initial pass to either of the forwards so they must read the pass and move accordingly.

Too often, when the ball is played into a forward, the rest of the players stand and watch to see what is going to happen next. This is a great way to get two forwards working together providing support and creating opportunities for each other.