The Finish Part

The Finish Part arises when your players have broken through the defense to some degree and have a realistic chance of scoring. During the match, very little time will be spent in this part. But how your players handle those moments will usually decide the match. Will they convert a few of their opportunities? Or will shot after shot sail over the crossbar?

Shooting Skill

The first element of the Finish Part is shooting skill. If your players can shoot accurately in all the different scenarios, using either foot, the Finish Part will usually go well.

Include at least 15 minutes of shooting in every practice, and include at least three different shots. In the next practice, address three different shots. Soon, you'll cover all 14 shots and can repeat them. Your players will get better and better with the Finish Part.

For more on shooting, go to Individual Skills: Shooting.

Decision-Making in the Finish Part

Although shooting skill is a big element in the Finish Part, there is more. The diagram below illustrates the main issue.

Should the player here shoot, pass, or dribble? Many soccer people in high places teach that a shot should be taken whenever possible. The player in this diagram might be chastised if he didn't shoot.

A bit of reasoning should convince you this is wrong. If the defender and Keeper know for certain that a shot is going to occur, they won't concern themselves with other options. The defender can lunge to block a shot, and the Keeper can cut off the angle. The shot might have a 50/50 chance at best. And your teammate, knowing he won't be passed to, can do little more than hope for a rebound. When players are too shot-happy, their teammates catch on and watch.

A better approach is to be unpredictable. Keep your eyes open, notice your open teammates, and maintain three options until the last moment. You might shoot. You might also pass. You might even fake a shot, and dribble past the defender when he lunges.

By keeping three options open, your odds of scoring increase. A successful pass or dribble might produce a much easier shot. And since your opponents have three options to worry about, they can't devote all their energy to one option. The option you choose will then face less resistence. And your teammates will eagerly get open if they might receive a pass.

Dizzy Miss Lizzy

This game, also explained in the Contain Part, is ideal for the Finish Part. Two attackers face one defender and a Keeper. If the player with the ball overcommits to shooting, the defender can often block the shot. If the attackers are completely unpredictable between passing and shooting, the odds of a goal are greatly increased.

Rules for Dizzy Miss Lizzy

Field Setup. The field is set up around one regulation size goal. Extra soccer balls are placed along the side opposite the goal. Each side of the field is about thirty paces long.
Teams. Four players compete, in teams of two. One team defends the goal, providing a Keeper and a defender. The other team attacks. Additional players may rotate into the game.
Object of the Game. Each team gets ten tries to score goals. The team with the most goals wins.
How a Try Proceeds. The attacking team brings the first ball into play, and attempts to score. The players may pass as often as they like before shooting. They may dribble in on the Keeper, or shoot from further out. The offside rule is not in effect.
The defending team tries to prevent a goal, by knocking the ball out of bounds, stealing it, or making a save. The Keeper may stay in the goal, or charge out of the goal. A shot that is blocked or punched away is still in play.
How the Game Proceeds. When the first try ends, the attacking team immediately brings in the second ball. After the fifth try, the defender and Keeper may switch roles. After the last try, the two teams switch roles.

Can one defender really prevent two attackers from scoring, by swinging side to side as the ball is passed? That's a fundamental assumption of triangle theory. Why not use the game and find out for yourself?

Dumb and Smart Coaching Advice

Your team is being shut out. What should you say at halftime? Here are two dumb things that will hurt your credibility as a coach and do nothing for your players.

"We've got to start taking more shots!" This assumes that your players had all kinds of shots available, and were passing them up. Was that really the case? More likely, your team was losing possession before the Finish Part even arrived. The problem in that case could be the Possession Part or the Breakthrough Part rather than the Finish Part. In any event, how could players apply such advice?

"We've got to finish our scoring chances!" Maybe shot after shot was missed. Now, the problem is indeed in the Finish Part. But stating the obvious will just make everyone nervous and make the problem worse. If your players are missing shots, they'll have to practice those shots more often.

When the Finish Part is the problem, consider smart tips like these for your players. Rather than getting stressed out about shooting accuracy, they'll focus on the teamwork aspect of finishing.

"Don't become blind to your teammates just because you have a chance to shoot."

"We need to make that one extra pass to create a better shot."

"Choose unpredictably between shooting and passing."

"Be the player who gets the assist."

"That Keeper's great. It might take ten more scoring chances to create one goal."

Generally, it's not wise to criticize the player who attempts one extra pass. Even if the pass was stolen, the unselfish attitude creates unpredictability and encourages teammates to get open. If the player lacks shooting confidence, that's a practice issue.