Close-Range Finishing | Reacting to the Second Ball

Overview

• Players who want to score more in and around the box
• Built for forwards and shadow strikers
• For teams looking to sharpen their decision-making and finishing after the second ball

Objectives

• Staying calm and finding the right position in front of goal
• Finishing off any kind of service — volleys, half-volleys, and headers
• Staying focused and deciding fast under pressure
• Battling defenders and using your body to hold your ground

Setup

This session works off wide crosses and asks your players to fire off back-to-back finishes in front of goal.

１）Set up three players in a third of the field, with the wide player starting on the ball 5–10m out

２）The wide player and center forward link up with one or two quick passes, then the wide player whips a cross into the box

３）The center forward times a run to attack the first finish

４）After the shot, the center forward runs between mannequins (or cones) set up outside the penalty area to collect the second ball

５）Finish first-time off the second ball — whether it’s bouncing, rising, or cleared

６）Run 5–8 reps, then rotate to the next player