Week 9 · U10
Finishing & shooting
Objectives — what the players will do
- 1Strike the ball with the laces, head steady over the ball
- 2Pick a corner before shooting instead of blasting at the keeper
- 3Shoot quickly when the chance appears — two touches, then hit it
Play 1 — starts when the second player arrives
Finishing Relay
Two teams, two goals (use your keepers!). First player in each line receives a pass from the coach, finishes, sprints back, high-fives the next player. Which team scores more in three minutes? Run several rounds from different angles. About 10-15 minutes.
Practice — the one taught activity of the night
Angled Finishing
Serve balls in from the left, the right, and the middle; the shooter finishes with whichever foot matches the side — from the left side, left foot; from the right side, right foot. Start with a rolling ball and no keeper, add the keeper, then add a defender chasing in from behind. Every player shoots constantly — keep the reps flowing, no long lines. Roughly 25-30 minutes.
Stationary ball, no keeper, and shorten the distance until strikes are clean.
Active keeper, defender on the shoulder, and a two-touch limit: receive, shoot.
Play 2 — always finish playing the real game
4v4 Quick Strike
Short 3-minute games with keepers. If nobody scores in the first 90 seconds, the coach throws in a second ball to force chaos and chances. Losers rotate, winners stay — urgency everywhere. Last 20-25 minutes.
Key coaching points — in your own words
- ·Which corner are you aiming for — can you pick it before you shoot?
- ·The ball came from the left — which foot should hit it?
- ·How many touches do you really need before you shoot?
- ·The keeper is off the line — where is the space?
Add pressure — live defenders, a shot clock, weak-foot finishes only.
Slow the serves, remove the keeper, and let confidence rebuild with easy goals.
Game-day focus — watch for this on Saturday
The striker is our first defender — watch them hunt the ball from the front when we lose it. And celebrate shots on target, not just goals: a saved shot was still a good decision.
Message to forward to your parents
Finishing week! Encourage shooting practice with BOTH feet at home — pick a corner of a goal, a wall, or a fence and aim for it. Composure beats power at this age.
This week's two videos
Prep the night before; copy the activity on the field.
Teach Youth Soccer Players to Finish!!
Watch the night before to understand the idea
A US youth coach (UEFA B / USSF C) showing how to actually teach finishing at this age, not just rep it. His coaching language — calm strike, pick your spot early — maps straight onto See it, Solve it, Show it. Watch before Week 1 and again before your Apply week to check your returns.
Watch on YouTubeSoccer Drill: Finishing (U9)
A drill you can copy on the field
A tight U9 finishing practice covering power, placement, angles and beating the keeper — the whole Week 1–2 arc in under four minutes. Lift the setup as your Practice-phase core and repeat it both weeks, switching the emphasis from contact to corners. Short enough to rewatch on the drive to training.
Watch on YouTube