Soccer Shooting Drill
Layoff and Shoot
Pass into a teammate who has their back to goal, get a one-touch layoff back and strike it low to the far post.
Step 1 of 6
Each shooter has a ball. Watch 1, with 2 next in line. 3 stands 15 yards out, back to goal. A teammate is GK.
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- 4–7
- Ages
- 8–16U9–U17
- Pace
- Medium
Works on
- Shooting
- Passing
- Ball control
Set up
- Put a start cone about 25 yards from goal, a little to one side. Shooters line up there, each with a ball.
- One player stands about 15 yards from goal with their back to goal, facing the line. A teammate plays keeper.
- More than 8 players? Use a second goal, or run a line from each side and take turns.
- Space
- One goal and about 25 yards in front of it
- You need
- 1 goal · 1 cone · 1 ball per shooter
How to play
- The shooter passes firmly into the layoff player's feet and starts running forward.
- The layoff player sends it back with one soft touch, to the side, into the shooter's path.
- The shooter strikes it without stopping it first, or after one touch, low to the far post.
- Rotate: the shooter becomes the layoff player, and the layoff player jogs to the back of the line.
- The next shooter goes only when the keeper is ready. Collect the balls from the goal when everyone has gone.
- After a few minutes, move the line to the other side so both feet get used. Switch keepers too.
Coaching points
- Firm pass along the ground into the layoff player's feet.
- Layoff: soft touch that rolls a yard or two in front of the shooter, not back at their feet.
- Shooter: time your run so you meet the ball moving forward.
- Laces, toe down, head over the ball. Aim low at the far post, the one farther from you.
Easier
Let the shooter stop the ball first, then shoot. Move the start cone closer, or play without a keeper.
Harder
Shoot straight off the layoff with no stopping touch, weaker foot only, or add a defender who chases the shooter from behind the start cone.
Run it at your next practice
With a free account, put Layoff and Shoot in a practice plan with its minutes and water breaks. At the field the clock moves on to the next drill by itself.