The Finishing School Program
Finishing School goes far beyond the mechanics of shooting at goal. Our Goal is to teach athletic players how to get into position to finish inside & out of the penalty box. It is about evaluating the situation you are faced with and knowing the right decision to make in order to hit the back of the net.Prolific goal scorers are a rare commodity in any team, club and throughout the sport in general. Of course there are several players who can score goals, but few display the composure and technical ability necessary to put the finishing touches on every attacking move.
Here are some of the necessary and important skills instilled at the Academy Finishing School.
- Areas in which the highest percentage of goals are scored
- Understanding how the goalkeeper thinks and positions themselves
- Preparing mentally to have the desire to finish
- Preparing your body to receive the ball to strike at goal
- The mechanics of striking the ball
- The difference between placing the ball and shooting
- Reading the pressure on the passer and how to adjust to it as the receiver
- Understanding how to make it difficult for defenders to mark you
- Understanding how and when to make runs between and behind defenders
- What are the different types of runs to make
- Identifying what type of goal scorers you are & how to capitalize on it
- How to capitalize on 1 vs 1 with the goalkeeper
- How to dribble at goal with deception, speed and control
- How to take your first touch, to set up the shot
- How to use different types of surfaces of your foot to finish low or high
- Knowing & understanding how your foot makes the ball react (spin, bent, driven, lofted, chipped, skipped...)
- Knowing how to use the field and its markings to your advantage
- How to play with your back to goal
- Timing of runs to the near and far post
- How to deal with game realistic game situations with numbers up
- How to deal with game realistic game situations with numbers down
- Combination plays to get between, behind or around the opponent
- Reading the play and determining the space available to attack & capitalize
- Controlling your emotions and learning how not to panic
- Heading
- Volleying (half-volley)
- One Touch and when to use it
Scoring goals is the final element to a game with many elements. Chances are rare and
it is the player who can take those precious chances and put the final touch on the ball
before it crosses the goal line who will make the difference in a game. No matter what has
happened during a game it all comes down to who scores the most.It is for this reason that the Academy Staff will provide an invaluable experience for developing goal scorers. Every player will be encouraged to overcome personal challenges and to think for themselves in order to facilitate a better and broader understanding of how to put the finishing touches on to every attacking move through repetition as 'repetition is the master of skill'.
Players will learn how to score goals, regardless of the position they play on a team, if you have the desire to learn, train and be committed to excel we will educate, motivate and inspire you to become soccer's most precious commodity – a goal scorer!
Finishing School Concord Thornhill Park – South Field Head Instructor – DOC – Director of Coaching & Player Development
Come pre-prepared with the right attitude to learn. Dress appropriate for the climate: sunscreen, rain jacket, water bottle – bring plenty of water for before, during and after the session. Bring appropriate practice uniform and footwear.