How To Coach: The Striker Clinic

Original Location: https://www.skool.com/coachingacademy/classroom/how-to-coach-the-striker-clinic

Description: Imagine becoming the striker every defence fears or the coach every striker needs — this course makes it possible. This course is for football coaches wanting to master the striker’s role and players at all levels eager to improve their finishing, link-up play, movement, and mindset.

Course Contains:

9 sections
109 Pages
45 Instructional Videos
168 Training Session Plans

Course Structure

Introduction

Course overview and objectives

The Final Third

Understanding the final third of the pitch
Key principles for attacking play

Movement

Why Is Movement Important?
Dropping Deep
Pulling Wide
Running Across
Running In Behind
Holding Up Play
Turning A Defender
Attacking Crosses

Link Up Play

Combining with teammates
Creating scoring opportunities through partnerships

Striker Defending/Pressing

Defensive responsibilities of a striker
Pressing triggers and patterns

Finishing

Technical finishing skills
Positioning for different scenarios

The Mental Game

Psychology of a striker
Confidence and composure

Individual Sessions

Session plans for individual striker development

Team Sessions

Team training focused on striker integration

Final Thoughts: Thank You and Taking the Next Step

Course conclusion and progression paths

Module: Movement - Running In Behind

Section Introduction

If the opposition defence is playing a high line, therefore leaving you space to run into, making a well-timed run behind can see you go through 1 vs 1 with the goalkeeper! The key to this run is to play as far up the pitch as possible without being offside (on the defender’s shoulder) and ready to run onto through balls.

The Golden Rule:

If you are about to receive a diagonal pass, you should make a straight run in behind.
If you are about to receive a straight pass, you should make a diagonal run in behind.

You may not have offsides at 4,5,7, or 9 aside football, but the lessons and key points are still relevant for players of all levels.

Why Running In Behind Defenders is Crucial

1. Exploiting High Defensive Lines

When the opposition plays a high line, they leave significant space behind their defence:

Time their Run: A well-timed run can leave you one-on-one with the goalkeeper
Stay on the Shoulder: Playing on the last defender’s shoulder allows quick reaction to through balls

Key Tip: Stay as high up the pitch as possible without straying offside, constantly scanning for the right moment.

2. Forcing Defensive Mistakes

The threat of a run in behind keeps defenders unsettled:

Drop deeper, reducing their ability to press higher up the pitch
Misjudge the timing of interceptions or challenges
Commit fouls in dangerous areas

3. Creating Space for Teammates

Your movement benefits the team:

Dragging defenders deeper creates space between defensive and midfield lines
Runs toward wide areas stretch the defence, opening gaps

4. Pass and Run Combinations

Diagonal Pass = Straight Run: When the ball is played diagonally, your run should remain straight
Straight Pass = Diagonal Run: When the ball is played straight, your run should curve or angle

5. Overcoming Defenders’ Strategies

Vary Your Runs: Alternate between running in behind, dropping deep, or pulling wide
Use Disguised Movement: Start your run late or feint before accelerating

6. Professional Examples

Jamie Vardy (Leicester City): Explosive runs behind defenders, particularly against high lines
Erling Haaland (Manchester City): Perfect timing and acceleration into space

Key Points for Running In Behind

Awareness and Scanning - Consistently scan surroundings to assess defensive line positioning
Timing the Run - Delay run until just before the ball is played
Reading the Defensive Line - Identify weaknesses, gaps between defenders
Angling the Run - Curve runs to stay onside and create better receiving angles
Communication - Clear verbal cues and non-verbal gestures with ball carrier
Receiving on the Run - First touch should maintain momentum toward goal
Decision-Making - Quickly decide whether to shoot, pass, or continue driving
Exploiting Space - Stay patient and wait for right moment
Physical Fitness - Explosive speed to outpace defenders
Body Positioning - Keep body between ball and defender
Offensive Transition - Transition quickly after team wins ball
Confidence in 1v1 - Composure in one-on-one scenarios
Adapting - Adjust run if defenders track movement

Individual Session Plans

Technical Drill: Timing the Run

Setup: Use final 3rd with mannequins/cones as defenders, coach with ball Execution: Player makes diagonal run across defender, receives pass, controls and shoots Progression: Introduce passive defender

Decision-Making Drill: Adjusting Runs

Setup: Half field with goal and goalkeeper, two gates at top of box Execution: Player bounces ball with coach, bends run in behind gate to finish

Game Simulation: Counterattack

Setup: Half field with goal, mannequin defender Execution: Player starts deep, makes timed run to receive through ball from midfield

Team Session Plans

Positional Drill: In Behind Movement

Setup: 7-aside game with 3 zones, only striker and defender allowed in end zones Execution: Striker scores in big goals, defender scores in mini goals

Game Scenario: Breaking Down a Defence

Setup: Two-thirds pitch, 7v7+1 with 2-man defense each team Focus: Strikers running in behind, midfielders supporting with through balls

Game Scenario: Breakout Finishing

Setup: Rectangle with rondo grid in centre, 2 goals with goalkeepers Execution: Possession team plays through pass for 1vGK finish after set number of passes

Technical Exercise: Attack The Space Finishing

Setup: Between boxes, two teams at each end, 2 goals with goalkeepers Execution: Player A passes to B, B drives at mannequin, A overlaps and receives reverse pass to finish

Game Simulation: Pressing and Counter Pressing

Setup: 2 teams in different formations in highlighted zone Execution: Team must make 5 passes before exiting zone to score, attacker has 7 seconds