Volley & Half-Volley Finishing

Description

A server positioned wide tosses or crosses the ball for attackers to finish with volleys and half-volleys from inside the box. Players focus on body shape, timing their run, and striking a moving ball cleanly with the laces or instep. This drill develops the technique and confidence to finish chances from crosses, which is one of the most common goal-scoring situations in the game.

Setup

Use one half of a field with a full-size goal and goalkeeper. A server stands wide near the touchline, 25 yards from goal. Shooters queue at the edge of the box. The server delivers crosses (tossed or kicked) and shooters attack the ball to finish.

Coaching Points

• +Set your body sideways-on to the server to open up your hips for a clean strike
• +Watch the ball all the way onto your foot — keep your eye on the contact point
• +Lock the ankle firmly and strike through the center of the ball for volleys, slightly on top for half-volleys
• +Time your run to arrive as the ball drops — do not stand still waiting for the cross

Progressions

1. 1.Vary the service — low driven, floated, or bouncing — so players must adjust technique
2. 2.Add a passive defender in the box to create pressure on the finish
3. 3.Serve from alternating sides so players must finish with both feet

Equipment

Skills