1-to-1 Finishing Session

Objectives

• -Groove a repeatable finishing technique
• -Finish from different angles and services
• -Build individual shooting confidence

How to set it up

1. 1Mark out the working area at Half of the penalty area. Put a cone on each corner so the boundary is obvious to the players.
2. 2Goal or two mini goals with a supply of six balls.
3. 3Three shooting stations at 12 yards: left, central, right.
4. 4Coach serves from the side.
5. 5Place the goals before you start and check the run-off behind them is clear and safe.
6. 6Kit for this practice: Balls, Cones, Mini Goals. Keep a supply of spare balls beside the coach so a lost ball never stops the practice.
7. 7Work one-to-one: the coach or a partner serves while the working player takes every repetition.
8. 8Set the area up before the players arrive, then walk them through the shape once at a jog before the first live repetition.

How to run it, step by step

1. 1Get the players into position and walk the first repetition through slowly so everybody knows where they start and where they go.
2. 2Six finishes from each station: side-foot, laces, first time.
3. 3Coach feeds along the floor, then bouncing, then in the air.
4. 4Score out of 18 and beat it next session.
5. 5The working player recovers back to the start position between repetitions while the server collects the ball.
6. 6Every repetition finishes with a strike at goal. As soon as the ball leaves the striker's foot the next player starts, so the practice keeps flowing.
7. 7Freeze the practice once or twice per round, make one coaching point to the whole group, then restart immediately.

What each player does

Working player

Takes the repetition: receives, executes the finishing action and finishes the sequence at match pace.

Server

Delivers a consistent, firm ball on the coach's call, then collects a spare ball ready for the next repetition.

Goalkeeper

Sets before every strike, works the save, then distributes to restart the next attack rather than kicking the ball away.

Waiting players

Stand behind the start cone with a ball ready, watch the repetition in front of them and step in the moment it finishes.

Coach

Stands where the whole picture is visible, serves or calls the start, and makes one clear point per freeze.

Timings and organisation

• -Run 4 rounds of roughly 4 minutes inside the 15 minute slot.
• -Give 45-60 seconds of rest between rounds so the quality of the work stays high, and use that gap for your coaching point.
• -Rotate roles at the end of every round so each player works, serves and defends across the practice.
• -If the practice is too easy, move to a progression rather than adding more repetitions. If players are struggling, drop to a regression for one round and then build back up.

Common mistakes

• -Leaning back and ballooning the shot
• -Deciding the target too late
• -Snatching at the shot with a heavy first touch
• -Standing still and watching instead of moving into the next position