Big Shot

Objective:

Target:

Organization

Mark area 25 x 18 yards, with halfway line.
Use portable or improvised goals with cones/poles.
If using regulation-sized goals (8-yards x 8-feet) allow goals only below head height.
Two goalkeepers, but everyone rotates through the goalkeeping position.
Goalkeepers cannot shoot
4 vs. 1 (plus goalkeeper) in each half.
A goalkeeper starts by rolling ball to one of four players.
Four keep possession from the opponent while working to create a shooting position.
Shots can only be taken from within own half.
After shot the one advanced team player (the "Sniffer") looks for scoring opportunities from rebounds off the goalkeeper, defenders or goal posts.
Four players in possession may play back to their goalkeeper.
Rotate the "Sniffer" and goalkeepers every 3- or 4-minutes.

Teaching

Encourage players to try a strike for goal.
Tell "Sniffer" to always gamble on possibility of a rebound.
Have defending players take up good positions to block shots (even though confined to their half).
Encourage goalkeeper to work at maintaining a view of the ball at all times.
Teach goalkeepers to make good decisions relative to the situation (e.g., whether to catch or deflect the ball into non-dangerous areas).
Encourage supporting play to give alternative for shot or pass.

Progressions

U10 Progressions

Initially allow the game to help progress and develop the players without too much coach intervention.

U11 Progressions

If you are using these lesson plans for the first time refer to the Lesson Plans for the U10.
Can make the field slightly longer to encourage accurate long range shooting.
Or shorter, to test the goalkeepers.

U12 Progressions

If you are using these lesson plans for the first time refer to the Lesson Plans for the U10 and U11’s for ideas on progressions for the U12 age group.
Play 3 vs. 1 in each half and split into 3 teams (of 5 players - 3 + Sniffer and Keeper).
Scoring team stays in. Losers change with resting team. Ball starts with new team.