Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit

Drill conducted by Manchester City in 2016 during a pre-season training session, it perfectly combines numerous aspects such as athletic work, agility, shooting, and precision of passes.

Place 1 cone that will serve as the starting point for this speed and precision circuit. Set up 4 hoops, then 4 hurdles a few meters further (see diagram below). Then place a mannequin (or a pole) and 3 poles forming a slalom a few meters further. Finally, place a last mannequin (or pole) that will serve as a defender during the shot on goal.

Position all the players at the starting cone, and 2 players in support (see diagram). The circuit is performed individually. Place a source of balls next to the first supporting player.

The player starts and performs quick small steps within the hoops, then continues by jumping over the hurdles (as quickly as possible), goes around the 1st mannequin, makes an off-the-ball run to receive the ball from the 1st player (source of balls), then slaloms through the poles. He then plays a one-two pass with the second supporting player, before performing a feint and shooting on goal. He then jogs back to the starting point.

For an ideal setup, we advise regularly alternating the players in support (or using coaches if your squad allows). This exercise helps work on speed and explosiveness with the ball at your feet, so do not place the stations too far apart from each other.

The dribble before the shot (feint, cut, etc.) is not optional. Emphasize that your players attempt as much as possible: if they don't do it in practice against a mannequin, they won't do it in a match against the opposing defense!

Some tips:

You can replace the second mannequin with a defender to make the task more challenging for the attacker.
Feel free to double this exercise (on each side of the goal) if you have a large number of players in training.