Near Post Dash

Objective

• -Attack the near post with timing
• -Finish from short, driven service
• -Improve movement across the face of goal

Setup

1. 1Make a wide lane leading to an end zone with one mini goal or a full-size goal.
2. 2Place a server wide and two attackers in the box area.
3. 3Use cones to show the near-post run line.
4. 4Keep spare balls with the wide server.

How to play

1. 1The server drives a ball from the wide lane into the scoring zone.
2. 2One attacker darts to the near post while the other holds a central run.
3. 3The near-post runner tries to finish first time.
4. 4After the attempt, the next pair moves in straight away.
5. 5Change the service side regularly so players read different balls.

Progressions

• +Two-Touch Limit: drop to one touch in the central area
• +Weak Foot Only: add a defender to raise the pressure
• +Tempo Clock: cut the clock to four seconds
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Two-Touch Limit: allow three touches while the picture is learned
• -Weak Foot Only: static, unopposed reps before adding movement
• -Tempo Clock: extend the clock to ten seconds
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Two-Touch Limit — Players are limited to two touches — one to control, one to release.
• -Weak Foot Only — Every touch, pass and finish must be with the weaker foot.
• -Tempo Clock — The ball must reach the end action inside six seconds or the rep restarts.
• -Scan and Cue — The coach shows a colour or number and the receiver must call it before their first touch.
• -Shadow Pressure — A shadow defender applies half pressure and can win the ball only after the first touch.
• -Score Challenge — Run it as a timed competition — pairs or teams count successful reps and compare scores.
• -1-to-1 Session — Run as an individual session: coach serves, one player works through the reps with rest built in.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Starting the run too early
• -Waiting flat in the box
• -Missing the ball by arriving on the wrong angle