Pole Slalom and Finish
Players dribble through a zigzag of six poles with quick changes of direction and finish against the goalkeeper as soon as they come out.
- Age
- U11–Senior
- Players
- 4–12
- Duration
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 25 × 20 m
- Type
- Integrated
- Approach
- Intermediate
- Format
- Circuit
- Objectives
- Technical: Dribbling, Finishing
- Physical: Agility
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:Running with the ballDribbling past an opponentShooting
- Physical:Change of direction
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Goalkeeper
- Dribble
- Shot
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
- Pole
The poles force the player to cut the ball with the inside and outside of both feet at speed. The finish straight after the slalom tests whether the player can lift the head and strike accurately after demanding footwork.
Objective
Change direction with the ball at speed and finish quickly after the last pole.
Organisation
- Six poles in a zigzag, 2 m apart, finishing about 11 m from goal.
- Goalkeeper in goal; players in a line with balls 24 m from goal.
How it works
- Dribble through the poles using inside and outside cuts.
- Shoot within two touches after the last pole.
- Two lines from different sides of the slalom so players alternate feet.
- 8 repetitions per player.
Coaching points
- Cut the ball close to the pole, then accelerate away.
- Small touches in the slalom, one longer touch to set up the shot.
- Look at the goalkeeper before you strike.
Progressions
- Time each run and add one second for a missed target.
- A defender starts at the end of the slalom (1v1 finish).
Regressions
- Use four poles further apart.
Variations
- Finish with a pass into a mini-goal instead of a shot.
Key principles
- Tight cuts, quick exit, early finish.
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