Strategy
To practice finishing off one on one situations clinically by playing a high percentage game of shooting at the earliest realistic opportunity.
Theory
The higher level standard of football, the fewer touches are taken to score a goal. This is because the more touches taken, the more time and opportunity given to the opposition to tackle.
In a one on one situation with the keeper, the keeper's job is to either make a challenge if the striker has a bad touch, otherwise to delay the striker to allow defenders time to get back. Thus the striker should aim to not be delayed by making a decision as early as possible, ideally by shooting. However, this doesn't mean the striker should necessarily shoot from 40 yards when in on goal. This just means when there is a good opportunity on goal, it is best to have a good shot than play cat and mouse with the keeper. However, if the keeper has pressed the striker really well or has sold himself then it may be necessary to dribble around him.
Most one on one practices deal with balls played in from over the top. However, this is not always the case as the ball may be played in from any angle. Thus this session simulates this reality.
Organisation
Split into 2 groups to limit the queues.
2 small lines of opposing players line up.
One line is of attackers, the other is defenders.
They start well outside the 18 yard box, to create space for the through ball.
Feeders are positioned behind and to either side in front of the players.
The striker starts by making any movement he wants before turning to make his move on goal. At any time he can call for the ball by calling the number of the feeder. The defender must stay behind the striker until he has called the number, when he can make a challenge.
After a set number of shots, the goals are counted and the teams swap roles. The team with the highest number of goals wins.
The feeders are instructed to play in a variety of feeds e.g.
i) some in front,
ii) some to feet
iii) some outside box,
iv) some inside box
v) some in air or ground
Keepers should be rotated regularly to prevent tiredness and should wear bodyguarder protection to prevent injury on hard surfaces.
Extension
Scoring system - make competitive
Key points
1) Strikers should shoot early where possible. By delaying the shot, the chance may have gone, thus a 0% chance of scoring. By taking a shot, there's always a chance of scoring.
2) If the ball comes on your weak foot, then use it to shoot. By taking the ball on your stronger foot, the chance is likely to have gone. If your weaker foot isn't very strong, that's every reason to practice even more with it.
3) Follow through the ball. All too often, players stab at shots and they swerve wide. Following through ensures accuracy and power.
3) When the ball comes in from an angle, use the pace of the ball,
rather than blasting the ball as hard as you can.
4) Don't shoot but finish. Use as much power as you need to score. E.g. if you are close in then side foot for accuracy. If you are far out, strike with your laces to generate power.
5) If you miss the target you can not score. Though this seems very obvious, the number of shots that are blasted no where near the goal are often very high. Sometimes this is a consequence of a poor angle or being far out. However although sometimes you need to aim for the corners to beat the keepers, at other times, you just need to generate power and play the ball to the side of the keeper.
6) Make a double movement to receive the ball. This realism is what you will need to lose your marker in the game, so simulate this movement in practice.
11v11 Practice
Play a 2-3-5 vs a 2-3-5 so there are as many goalscoring 1 on 1 opportunities as possible.