Shooting Funnel

EXPLANATION:

• X starts just outside circle in front of the goal. He runs back and picks up a ball from between the cones in the funnel, and carries the ball towards the top of the circle.
• In front of the line of cones at the top of the circle, X pulls the ball right-to-left, enters the circle and shoots.
• After shooting, X runs back and collects a ball from the opposite side, and repeats the pull and shot at the top of the circle, going in the opposite direction.
• Repeat until all 8 balls are finished. Collect balls and repeat x5 (or as desired for fitness). 

COACHING POINTS:

• X should change direction sharply in front of cones prior to entering circle.
• Vision: player should glance up prior to reaching edge of circle and just before shooting to see where defenders and goalkeeper are positioned.
• Shoot for the far post. 

EVALUATION:

• Repetition will develop higher quality in shooting skills. The shooter should be able to hit with consistency to the far half of the goal, both on forehand and reverse stick side.
• This can be a great fitness drill to measure skills under fatigue. Increase the number of repetitions and decrease the rest time to push player to focus on skill execution as he gets tired.

VARIATIONS:

• Change the number of balls on each side and the angle of starting positions to create different shooting angles.
• There are many different options for entering the circle.
• add a lift over cones before shooting
• add a double-pull in front of cones before entering circle
• add a hesitation move in front of cones before entering circle
• add a coach/passive defender who takes away one side and leaves the opposite side open