Near Post vs Far Post Finishing Drill
This drill focuses on teaching strikers the importance of positioning and movement when finishing at the near and far posts. Players will practice recognizing opportunities to exploit space and accurately finish based on their positioning.
Objective
To improve the striker's decision-making and finishing skills when attacking the goal.
Setup
Set up a small goal at one end of the pitch. Place two cones approximately 10 yards apart, one representing the near post and the other the far post. You will need 4-6 players to rotate roles as strikers and passers.
Drill Steps
- 1
Begin by having a passer stand at the edge of the penalty area, with one striker positioned near the near post and another near the far post.
- 2
The passer will deliver a ball towards the striker near the near post, who will make a quick movement to receive the pass and finish at the near post.
- 3
Next, the passer will switch the play, sending a ball to the striker positioned at the far post, who will adjust their position to receive the pass and finish at the far post.
- 4
Rotate roles after each round, ensuring all players get the opportunity to practice both near and far post finishing.
- 5
Encourage players to focus on their footwork and angle of approach to maximize their finishing accuracy.
Coaching Points
- Emphasize quick, explosive movements toward the ball.
- Remind players to keep their head up to assess the goalkeeper's position.
- Encourage accurate and decisive finishing techniques.
- Highlight the importance of timing their runs to avoid offside.
- Ensure players are aware of their body positioning when striking the ball.
Variations
Make the drill easier by allowing players to receive the ball closer to the goal. To increase difficulty, add a defender to challenge the striker's movement and finishing.
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