Football drills: Shooting

Here Reading FC Academy manager Eamonn Dolan completes his five-session guide of how he would prepare a team for the new season.

This week Dolan explains how to put the finishing touches to pre-season as a team gears up for the imminent start of their new campaign.

Eamonn Dolan Reading FC Academy manager

WEEK FIVE - READY FOR ACTION

Regardless of the level at which I am coaching I would always sit the players down before the final training session and talk to them about the forthcoming season.

I'd explain what I wanted from the squad but also ask for their input, let them have some ownership of the conversation.

Check that they are happy and try to get their ideas. If the players believe in what they are doing they will enjoy their football more.

It might be a good time to run through some of your tactical ideas on a board. Do this before the final training session and you will have the opportunity to work on any problems the players might highlight.

I'd follow a warm up with passing and skills drills - areas that always need to be practised.

I'd then do some shape related work on defence. Perhaps a back four plus two central midfielders against two banks of four attacking them.

Then I'd turn to attacking principles. An important point to consider here is whether when your team passes the ball forward are you looking for them to keep the ball or penetrate into space.

Playing the ball into space is very exciting if you have a player like Thierry Henry running onto it but risky if you haven't. Playing the ball to feet might be a better option.

GUIDE TO SHOOTING DRILLS Develop your shooting skills

In terms of attacking shape, I would perhaps use two strikers, two wide men and two central midfielders and have them attack a back four. Encourage them to use their numerical advantage.

If your forwards are lacking confidence it might be a good idea to overload the attacking players so that the strikers have plenty of opportunity to practise their shooting skills.

If the attacking players are in good form you might want to have the same number of defenders.

I'd then have a game and at the end of the warm down sit the players down and ask them whether they have enjoyed the pre-season.

The players should be feeling a lot fitter and ready to start the new season.