Race to the ball with obstacles and shot

Goal

React quickly to the signal, accelerate through obstacles without losing speed and finish with quality after the effort.

Description

30x25 m pitch with a goal and goalkeeper. The coach is at the start with the balls and has a player on each side, sitting or lying down. In front of each one is a lane with obstacles: poles to weave through in one and low hurdles to jump in the other. The coach throws a ball towards the goal; both get up, get through their obstacles and the first to reach the ball shoots. It brings reaction, acceleration and finishing while tired into a single action, which is how real goals come.

Step by step

1. 1

   E throws the ball towards the goal.

2. 2

   A weaves between the poles and B jumps the hurdles.

   1. 2.1 A gets through the poles.
   2. 2.2 B jumps the hurdles.
3. 3

   Both race for the ball.

   1. 3.1 A arrives first.
   2. 3.2 B arrives late.
4. 4

   A shoots at goal.

Rules

Nobody moves until the ball leaves the coach's hand or foot. All the obstacles in the lane must be cleared; if one is skipped, the shot doesn't count. The first to arrive shoots; the other cannot come in to tackle. Goal: 1 point for their team. Every 4 starts the starting position changes (sitting, lying face down, face up, back to goal) and the players swap lanes.

Equipment

• 1 goal with goalkeeper
• 4 poles
• 3 low hurdles
• Cones for the lanes
• 10 balls

Physical focus

Recommended times by goal

• Reaction speed: 3 × 4' · rest 1'30" · High intensityOrientativo

Rotation and restart

After each start, both jog back round the outside to the end of their team's queue and the next two go. Every 4 starts the teams swap lanes. The goalkeeper changes every 4 minutes.

Coaching points

• Set off with your eyes on the ball, not on your teammate.
• Short steps through the poles and active arms over the hurdles.
• Slow down a little before the ball so you can place the shot.

Common mistakes

• They set off before the signal.

  How to correct: Whoever goes early loses the start and the point goes to the other team.

• They reach the ball so fast that they shoot without looking and send it miles away.

  How to correct: Shorter last step, head up for a moment and a side-foot shot to one side of the goalkeeper.

• They skip obstacles to get there first.

  How to correct: The shot doesn't count; the coach says so out loud from the very first time.

Questions for the players

• “What do you do to get up faster when you are lying down?”
• “When do you need to slow down so you don't overrun the ball?”

Levels

• A · easyStart on their feet and with no obstacles; the ball is thrown slowly and close.
• B · standardAs described: varied starting positions and one lane of poles and one of hurdles.
• C · advancedThe one who arrives second defends: it is a 1v1 up to the shot. The coach throws to one side or the other so that those who read the flight first win out.

If you have fewer or more players

• With 3 fewer: A single queue: one player goes at a time, against the clock. (1 player + GK)
• With more: Two stations with two goals and two coaches or a helper. (2 stations of 1v1)
• With odd numbers: The extra player acts as ball collector behind the goal and joins the next start.

Age

Variations

• Colour signal. The coach calls out a colour before throwing: only the player of that colour goes and the other defends.
• Header finish. The coach throws it high and whoever gets there first heads it.