Shooting is by far the favorite topic for most of my players. The only issue is making sure they are able to get as many shots off as possible in the soccer shooting session for U8 without standing in lines.
Players love scoring goals so it is important to ensure they get as much opportunity to do so as possible. However, most soccer shooting drills involve standing in lines. If players are standing in lines waiting for a shot it means they are wasting valuable time not practicing shooting.
Download this session as a PDF at the bottom of the page.
U8 soccer shooting session
Warm-up
Time:
15 minutes
Set up:
- 25 x 40-yard area
- 2 goals
- 1 soccer ball per pair
- 14 cones
Instructions:
Set up your area and goals like a normal soccer field.
When you set up the goals place 2 cones (4 in total), a yard inside of each post on the inside of the goals. This will create 2 gates within the goals and next to the posts.
Using the remaining 10 (5 cones per semi-circle) cones make a semi-circle around each of the goals.
Divide your players into pairs with one soccer ball in each pair, if you have an odd number you make a group of 3 with one player being the magic player (the magic player will be on the same team as the player who has possession of the ball).
This will be a 1v1, however, if players are able to score a goal and it goes through the gates it will be worth 3 points. If they score and it does not go through the gates it will be worth 1 point.
Players are not allowed to score within the semi-circle.
The player who has the most points in the pair will be the winner.
Each round will last 5 minutes.
At the end of each round swap players round so they are working with a different partner.
All the pairs will use the same goals to defend and score in.
Coaching points:
- When you are shooting aim for the corners as this the hardest place for a goalkeeper so save the shot
- Strike the ball when you want to get power in the shot and use the inside of your foot to place your shot
- Dribble with your head so you can see the goal and know how far away from the goal you are to take your shot
Questions that can lead to coaching points:
- Where should you be aiming when you take your shot? Why?
- What different shooting techniques can you use? When would you the different technique?
- Why should you dribble with your head up?
Technical activity
Time:
20 minutes
Set up:
- 1 soccer ball per pair
- 1 goal per pair
- 4 cones per pair
Instructions:
Set up your goal and place 2 cones opposite each other 10 yards apart from the middle of the goal, this is where your players will start.
Similar to the setup for the first exercise you want to place a cone on the insides of the goalposts to create 2 gates.
This will mean that as one player takes a shot the player on the opposite will be able to collect the ball and vice versa.
This means that a lot of time is saved chasing after soccer balls after a shot has been taken.
One player will start with the ball and they will have a touch out of their feet and have a shot at the goal.
If they are able to score through the gate they will get 3 points, if they goal through the middle section of the goal they will get 1 point and if they miss they will get 0 points.
The winning player will be the player that has the most points.
You divide this drill into 4 rounds of 5 minutes with players using different techniques and changing the foot they are shooting with.
For example, using the inside of your left foot, the inside of your right, the laces of your left foot, and the laces of your right foot.
If you have enough pairs you can turn this into a ladder system where players can move up if they won and move down if they lost.
Coaching points:
- Take a touch out of your feet and strike the ball in your step, similar to a game scenario
- Look up before you shoot so you know where the goal is and where you are aiming for
- Aim for the corners when shooting
Questions that can lead to coaching points:
- Why should you take a touch out of your feet and run on to strike the ball?
- What should you do before taking your shot?
- Where should you be aiming when shooting?
Technical activity progression
Time:
20 minutes
Set up:
- 1 soccer ball per group of 3
- 1 goal per pair
- 4 cones per pair
Instructions:
The setup for this will be exactly the same, however, instead of working in pairs players will now work in groups of 3.
Instead of having gates to aim for the third player will go in goal instead.
The group of players will compete to get the highest score, with the player getting the highest score becoming the winner.
Each time a player scores a goal they will get 3 points and if the goalkeeper makes a save they will get 1 point.
There should be 3 rounds so each player has a chance to shoot twice and be the goalkeeper once.
Players can decide what technique and what foot they want to shoot with.
Players must take their shots from the cones that is 10 yards back from the goal.
Coaching points:
- Aim for the corners where it is hard for the goalkeeper to reach.
- Shoot with your head up so you know where the goalkeeper is and the goal is.
- Touch the ball out of your feet and take the shot while the ball is moving
Questions that can lead to coaching points:
- Where should you be aiming when shooting the soccer ball?
- How do you know where the goalkeeper and goal is?
- Why should you try to strike the ball while moving?
Conditioned soccer shooting game
Time:
25 minutes
Set up:
- 25 x 40-yard area
- 2 goals
- 1 soccer ball
- 14 cones
- 2 teams of 3
Instructions:
This setup will be the exact same as the first activity with the same rules and point scoring system.
The only difference is that it will become a 3v3 small-sided game instead of 1v1.
Depending on the size of your group may need to set up another field for them to play on.
I would recommend trying to keep the same-sided game 3v3 or 2v2.
Coaching points:
- Reinforce previous coaching points from throughout the session
- Let your players play and only step in to give small individual coaching points
A regular game of 3v3 soccer for the last 10 minutes
Soccer Shooting Session for U8 Conclusion
The aim of this post was to able to give you ideas for a soccer shooting session for u8 that you could use for your own team.
It’s really important to remember with shooting sessions you want to try and get as many repetitions as possible and avoid drills and sessions that involve standing in lines and waiting.
I have used these shooting drills before for my u8 teams and I have had great success with them with the players enjoying themselves, being competitive, and getting lots of shots off.
If you have another soccer shooting session for u8 let me know below in the comments.
If you know a coach who would find this soccer shooting session for u8 helpful then please share it with them using the social media buttons.
Thank you!
Toby
Related Posts:
- Never Miss Again with These 11 Shooting Drills
- Soccer Shooting Session from Distance
- Soccer Session for Hold Up Play
The Youth Soccer Coaching Handbook
Take the stress out of coaching youth soccer with 250+ pre-made soccer sessions and drills, just turn up and coach!
Here’s the breakdown of what you’ll find inside:
- 35 Defending Drills
- 35 Dribbling and 1v1 Drills
- 21 SAQ Drills
- 47 Passing, Control, and Possession drills
- 31 Goalkeeper drills
- 36 Shooting and Finishing drills
- 30 Soccer Games U4 – U8
- 20 Pre-made soccer sessions (90 minutes in length each)
