Target Practice

Set-up

The drill requires a playing area approximately 45 by 25 feet, which can be marked out with cones, jumpers, or any visible markers. Position a goal at one end of the space, or designate a sturdy wall as your target area. Place several targets, such as cones, water bottles, or even small stuffed toys, in the corners of the goal or against the wall. The player will shoot from 8 to 12 metres away from the target area, which is roughly 8 to 12 large steps. The parent should stand to the side of the shooting area, away from the path of stray balls, and never directly behind the goal.

What you need

• Soccer ball
• Cones/water bottles as targets
• Goal or wall

The ground: 45 × 25 ft (about 14 × 8 m). One child can run it alone in a backyard. The space and equipment check lists every drill that fits the ground you have.

How to run it

1. Set up. Targets in the corners of a goal or against a wall — cones or bottles. Shoot from eight to twelve steps. Gather several balls so you are not fetching every shot.
2. Side foot first. Placement before power. Plant foot points at the target, follow through toward it.
3. Laces. Switch to laces — toe pointed down, ankle locked, striking through the middle of the ball.
4. Head still. Eyes on the ball through contact. Looking up early is the classic miss.
5. Ten shots. Ten shots, count the hits, say the score after each one.
6. Weaker foot. Five on the weaker foot. Praise contact and ignore where it goes.
7. Match it. Finish with a touch before each shot, the way a real chance arrives.

Coaching points

• Plant foot points at the target. Nearly every dragged shot is a plant foot pointing somewhere else, and it is far easier to see from behind them than from the side.
• Head and chest over the ball at contact. Leaning back lifts the shot over everything; if the ball keeps sailing, this is the reason and not the strength of the strike.
• Call the corner before striking. Deciding first is what separates a shot from a swing, and it also tells you whether a miss was technique or a change of mind halfway through.
• Stand to the side rather than behind the target. Stray balls happen, and a parent retrieving from behind the goal is both the slowest and the most likely to get hit.

What to watch: Plant foot pointing at target. Follow through toward the target. Strike through the middle/top of ball.

Common mistakes

• Plant foot pointing incorrectly: This looks like the non-kicking foot landing pointing significantly left or right of the intended target. It results in a shot that is 'dragged' wide or slices off-target, as the body is misaligned, making accurate striking almost impossible.
• Leaning back at contact: The player's upper body is visibly tilting backwards as they strike the ball. This causes the ball to sail high over the target, often with significant power but no control, because the contact point is underneath the ball rather than through its centre.
• Looking up too early: The player's head lifts to see where the ball is going before their foot has made solid contact. This often leads to miskicks, scuffed shots, or the ball going wide, as eyes off the ball disrupt the precise timing and body position needed for a clean strike.
• No follow-through: The kicking leg stops abruptly after making contact with the ball, rather than continuing its swing towards the target. This significantly reduces the power and accuracy of the shot, making it feel weak and often off-target.
• Lack of intent/calling the target: The player simply kicks the ball without clearly deciding where it should go, or doesn't name a target beforehand. This results in a wild, uncontrolled shot that lacks purpose, making it hard to identify specific technical faults or improvements.

What good looks like

A good target: 7 of 10 shots on target, released within one touch of receiving.

• The non-kicking (plant) foot lands pointing directly at the intended target, indicating proper body alignment.
• The player follows through with their kicking leg towards the target, showing commitment to the shot.
• The ball is struck cleanly, typically through its middle or slightly above, resulting in a low to mid-height trajectory.
• The player keeps their head down and eyes on the ball until after contact is made, preventing common miskicks.
• The player consistently hits the goal or specific targets, achieving a benchmark of 7 out of 10 shots on target from 8-12 metres.
• When receiving a ball, the shot is released within one touch of control, demonstrating efficiency and readiness.

Progressions and variations

Making it harder

• Level 1: Basic Contact: Focus solely on making clean contact with the ball and hitting the goal/wall, without specific targets. Use side-foot only.
• Level 2: Stationary Targets: Place 2-3 larger targets (e.g., cardboard boxes) in the goal and aim to hit them from a fixed 8-metre distance, alternating side-foot and laces.
• Level 3: Varied Positions: Keep targets fixed but move the shooting spot around the 8-12 metre arc, forcing shots from different angles.
• Level 4: Dynamic Set-up: Introduce a gentle dribble of 2-3 metres before striking the ball, simulating a more game-like scenario.
• Level 5: One-Touch Finish: The parent rolls or passes a ball to the player, who must take a one-touch shot at the target. If too difficult, allow one control touch.
• Level 6: Smaller Targets: Replace cones with smaller objects (e.g., water bottles, small frisbees) or designate specific areas of the goal (e.g., 'bottom left corner') as targets.
• Level 7: Weaker Foot Challenge: Dedicate entire rounds to shooting exclusively with the weaker foot, focusing on power and accuracy.
• Level 8: Time Pressure: Set a timer (e.g., 60 seconds) for the player to hit as many targets as possible, encouraging quick decisions and execution.

Alone, with a sibling, or in a group

• Solo: roll the ball out for yourself, one touch to set, then strike.
• Sibling: one serves, one finishes, then swap.
• Co-op: a finishing circuit with rotating servers.

For the parent running it

• Set targets in corners. Count hits together. Alternate between power shots (laces) and placement (side-foot).
• Keep it Positive: Always praise effort and good technique, especially when a child is using their weaker foot – focus on good contact rather than where the ball ends up.
• Make it a Game: Turn it into a competition (player vs. parent, or beat your own score) to keep engagement high. Award points for hitting specific targets.
• Ball Management: Have multiple balls ready. This drastically reduces downtime spent fetching and keeps the energy and focus on shooting.
• Know When to Stop: End the drill before the player becomes frustrated or overly tired. It’s better to finish on a positive note, even if it’s earlier than planned.
• Consistency is Key: Incorporate this drill (or variations) into your weekly routine. Regular, short practice sessions are more effective than infrequent, long ones.

On their own: Set up 5 targets in the goal. Take 10 shots from different spots, alternating laces and side-foot. Track your score out of 10.

Safety

• Clear the Area: Ensure the shooting area and the space behind the target are clear of other people, pets, or obstacles that could be hit by stray balls.
• Parent Positioning: The parent should always stand to the side of the shooting path, well out of the line of fire, never directly behind the goal or the targets.
• Footwear: Players should wear appropriate footwear (e.g., football boots or trainers) to ensure good grip and reduce the risk of slipping, especially on uneven surfaces.
• Ball Retrieval: When retrieving balls, wait until all shots in a sequence are taken and the player is not actively shooting. Do not run in front of a player preparing to shoot.
• Fatigue Management: Monitor the player for signs of fatigue. Shooting is physically demanding, and tired players are more prone to injury and poor technique. Take regular water breaks.

More on training safely at home: Safety at Home.

Why it matters

This drill is fundamental for developing a player's shooting technique, which is a crucial part of attacking play and goal scoring. It builds accuracy and power, essential for converting chances during a match. It also reinforces good body mechanics, which are transferable to other ball-striking actions like passing, and begins to integrate the crucial skill of receiving a ball and quickly transitioning into a shot.