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CircuitFinishing

Finishing After a Wall Pass

A one-two with a wall player at the edge of the box, around a mannequin, followed by a first-time finish against a goalkeeper.

Age
U11–Senior
Players
6–12
Duration
15 min
Difficulty
Intermediate
Intensity
Medium
Area
30 × 44 m
Type
Technical
Approach
Intermediate
Format
Circuit
Objectives
  • Technical: Finishing
  • Tactical: Combination play
Concepts worked on

Training diagram

Diagram of the exercise “Finishing After a Wall Pass”44 × 30 m · 2 × Attacker · 1 × Neutral / support · 1 × Goalkeeper1234WGK

Legend

  • Attacker
  • Neutral / support
  • Goalkeeper
  • Pass
  • Run without ball
  • Shot
  • Ball
  • Cone
  • Goal
  • Mannequin

The one-two (wall pass) is one of the quickest ways to get behind a defender near the box. This drill combines it with a finish, so players learn to pass, run immediately and strike the returned ball without needing to set it. The mannequin gives a reference for the defender they are playing around. Keep the queue short so everyone shoots often.

Objective

Execute a quick one-two to get past a defender and finish with the first or second touch.

Organisation

  • Full-size goal with a goalkeeper; penalty box marked.
  • Mannequin (or pole) 4 m outside the box. Wall player to the right of it at the edge of the box.
  • Shooters queue 10 m behind the mannequin, each with a ball.

How it works

  1. The shooter dribbles two touches towards the mannequin and passes firmly into the wall player.
  2. The shooter runs past the other side of the mannequin.
  3. The wall player returns the ball first time into the space in front of the shooter.
  4. The shooter finishes with a maximum of two touches.
  5. After 6 shots, change the wall player and move the wall to the left side.

Coaching points

  • Pass into the wall player's front foot and sprint the moment the ball leaves your foot.
  • Run on a slightly curved line so you stay onside and arrive facing the goal.
  • Wall player: open your body and play the return into space, not to feet.
  • Look at the goalkeeper's position before the shot; aim low and across for the far post.
  • Follow up every shot for a rebound.

Progressions

  • Replace the mannequin with an active defender.
  • The wall player can choose to fake the return and turn to shoot.
  • Finish must be one touch.

Regressions

  • Unlimited touches before shooting.
  • Wall player returns with the hand for younger players.

Variations

  • Overlap instead of a one-two: the shooter passes and overlaps around the outside of the wall player.

Key principles

  • Pass and go.
  • Finish early.
  • Always follow the shot.

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