Aerial Finishes - How To Coach Technique

Section Contents

• Section Introduction
• Aerial Finishes
• Session Plans for Aerial Finishes

Important Note: Please note that heading is banned in youth football by many associations due to the link between heading the ball and the impact on the brain. Please only use the session plans in this section if heading the ball is within the rules determined by your association.

Section Introduction

Aerial finishes involve scoring with headers, volleys, or other techniques to convert opportunities delivered in the air. They require excellent timing, positioning, and technique to be effective.

Aerial Finishes

1. The Importance of Aerial Finishes

Aerial finishes add versatility to a striker’s arsenal, making them a threat from crosses, set pieces, and lofted passes. They’re essential for converting opportunities when the ball doesn’t remain on the ground.

2. Types of Aerial Finishes

• Headers: Use the forehead for power or accuracy.
• Volleys: Strike the ball cleanly in mid-air.
• Bicycle Kicks: Acrobatic finishes for spectacular goals.

Professional Example: Victor Osimhen is a master of timing his run to meet a cross in the air. He anticipates the cross and is able to climb above defenders to meet the cross at the perfect time. He also has the physical attributes to meet the ball while receiving contact from a defender. You can see this in full in the video at the top of the page.

3. Key Skills for Aerial Finishes

• Timing and Positioning: Anticipate the ball’s trajectory to meet it perfectly.
• Body Control: Maintain balance and coordination to execute complex finishes.
• Power vs. Placement: Decide whether to prioritize accuracy or velocity based on the situation.

General Coaching Points for Heading:

• Watch the ball.
• Head the ball with the upper forehead (natural hairline).
• Defensive – head the lower part of the ball, aim for height and distance. Use power from legs, hips, shoulders and neck.
• Attacking – head upper part of the ball. Get off the ground, head at the highest possible point, using your arms for leverage, but take care with your elbows.

4. Training Drills for Aerial Finishes

• Crossing and Heading: Practice heading the ball into the corners of the goal.
• Volley Practice: Work on striking the ball mid-air with different techniques.
• Set Piece Simulations: Recreate match scenarios to improve timing and decision-making.

Training Context: In this session, strikers can get repetition of crosses placed in the box from deep and closer to goal. These crosses require different movements and timing.

5. Mental and Tactical Aspects

Aerial finishes often occur under pressure from defenders. Strikers must stay composed and focus on timing rather than rushing the attempt.

6. Professional Examples of Aerial Finishes

Strikers like Robert Lewandowski and Zlatan Ibrahimović are renowned for their aerial abilities, combining athleticism with technical precision.

Session Plans for Aerial Finishes

Finishing Drill: Timing and Movement for High Crosses

• Setup: Use the final third of a pitch and use mannequin or cones to simulate defenders. Your parent or coach will need to deliver the crosses. This exercise can be done with a minimum of 2 players - adjust the sequence/work one side at a time to suit. However, you need to retain the part of the exercise where the striker receives the cross to finish (blue line).
• Drill:
  • The striker starts outside the penalty box.
  • As the winger prepares to cross, the striker times their run into the box.
  • Focus on attacking near-post, central, and far-post areas alternately.
• Objective: Practise timing, movement, and heading technique for lofted crosses.
• Progression: Add a passive defender to simulate real-game challenges.

Finishing Drill: Finishing Low-Driven Crosses

• Setup: Use the final third of a pitch and use mannequin or cones to simulate defenders. This exercise can be done with a minimum of 2 players - adjust the sequence/work one side at a time to suit. However, you need to retain the part of the exercise where the striker receives the cross to finish. Use cones to mark the penalty spot and front-post area. A coach or winger delivers crosses.
• Drill:
  • Striker positions themselves just outside the penalty box.
  • On the coach’s cue, the striker sprints into the box to meet the cross.
  • Practise first-time finishes using the instep or laces.
• Objective: Develop quick reactions and clean contact on low crosses.
• Progression: Add a rebound element where the striker must react to deflected or missed crosses.

Finishing Exercise: Receiving Under Pressure To Finish

• Setup: Use the final third of a pitch and use mannequin or cones to simulate a defender. This exercise can be done with a minimum of 2 players - adjust the sequence/work one side at a time to suit. However, you need to retain the part of the exercise where the striker receives the cross to finish.
• Execution:
  • Follow the pass and movement sequences indicated in the diagram
  • Diagram shows two different sequences for finishing
  • Player practices receiving the ball from a cross and finishing in one or two touches.
• Coaching Point: Hit the target with the finish and use a variety of finishes depending on the angle you are at.

Finishing Drill: Reacting to Cutbacks

• Setup: Players can get 3 different finishes in this exercises. If you only have a parent helper, then they can deliver all three passes in sequence. Replace mannequins with cones if you do not have any.
• Drill:
  • Blue line: Pull back off the defender, receive the cutback, touch the ball out of your feet, and finish.
  • Black line: Striker makes a move across the defender to receive the low driven cross to finish.
  • Green line: Striker makes a movement from deep to attack the deep cross and finish.
• Objective: Practise positioning, balance, and one-touch finishing from cutbacks and crosses.
• Progression: Add a defender to increase pressure and realism.

Finishing Drill: Quick Reactions

• Setup: You will need a rebounder or coach to exchange passes with, and someone to feed high balls to attack at the back post.
• Execution:
  • The player exchanges passes with a rebounder or coach to simulate a rebound/loose ball breaking to them in the box. Player must adjust their body to get the ball under control and finish within 2 touches.
  • In the second phase, the player makes a movement to the backpost to attack a throw from the coach/parent and head the ball into the net from close range.
• Key Focus: Quick decision-making and body adjustment.

Finishing Drill: Cross-and-Finish Circuit

• Setup: Divide players into groups of attackers, wingers, and defenders. Use a full-size pitch or wide area.
• Drill:
  • This unopposed practice can be run with a minimum of 5 players and a maximum of a full squad.
  • Set the players up as shown in the diagram. The game begins with Player A, who plays a pass to Player B.
  • Upon this pass, Player A begins an underlapping forward run into the space shown by the dotted line.
  • Player B then plays Player C, who plays the ball into the space for Player A to run onto.
  • Player C then crosses for the strikers to run onto and finish.
  • Once the sequence is over, the same sequence takes place on the opposite side of the pitch (if applicable).
  • Wide players will follow their pass for the rotation (A to B, B to C, C to A) and the strikers will rotate (if applicable).
• Coaching Points:
  • The angle, weight, and timing of passes are all key. The attack should keep flowing and players should not stop to receive passes at any point.
  • Players should really drive past the mannequin to practice committing defenders during a game.
  • The overlapping run should be well timed to avoid offside.
  • Hit the target with the finish and use a variety of finishes depending on the angle you are at.
  • Players should always follow in for rebounds.
  • If we can find a teammate facing forward, we need runs in behind.

Finishing Drill: Cross-and-Finish Circuit 2

• Setup: Divide players into groups of attackers, wingers, and passers. Use a full-size final 3rd.
• Drill:
  • This unopposed practice can be run with a minimum of 5 players and a maximum of a full squad.
  • Set the players up as shown in the diagram. The game begins with Player 1, who plays a pass to Player, who bounces back.
  • Upon this pass, Player 3 makes a forward run into the space shown by the dotted line.
  • This is the signal for player 4 to make his double movement into the box.
  • Player 3 then crosses for the striker to run onto and finish. Player 3 should aim for the second 6 yard box area.
  • Player 4 finishes in 1 or 2 touches.
  • Player 4 then runs to the yellow cone at the top of the box, touches it, and sprints back into the second 6 yard box for a pass from player 5 for another finish.
  • All players follow their pass (1 to 2, 2 to 3, etc.).
  • As soon as green is done, blue will begin the same sequence on the opposite side.
• Coaching Points:
  • The angle, weight, and timing of passes are all key. The attack should keep flowing and players should not stop to receive passes at any point.
  • The runs should be well timed to avoid offside.
  • Hit the target with the finish and use a variety of finishes depending on the angle you are at.
  • Players should always follow in for rebounds.
  • If we can find a teammate facing forward, we need runs in behind to cross.

Finishing Drill: Cross-and-Finish Circuit 3 (opposed)

• Setup: Divide players into groups of attackers, wingers, and defenders. Use the final third.
• Drill:
  • Blue Line: Player A should start a run forward and receive on the move from Player B. Player A then finishes in the mini goal.
  • Red Line: As soon as Player A releases the ball towards the mini goal, Player C passes into space for Player D to run onto, receive and cross for Player A and B, who make runs into the box.
    • Progression: Ask Player A to recover and defend the cross against Player B.
  • Black Line: As soon as the above breaks down, Player A passes to Player F, who spins and attacked the goal. Players A and B need to recover and defend.
  • If a defender or Goalkeeper win the ball at any point, they can score in the mini goals.
  • Rotation from A to B, B to E, E to F, F to C, C to D, and D to A.
• Coaching Points:
  • Blue Line:
    • Player A: Time your run so you are coming onto the ball. Complete the finish first before thinking about defending. Transition to defending as soon as the ball leaves your foot.
    • Player B: Start your forward run as soon as the ball leaves your foot.
  • Red Line:
    • Player C: Select the correct weight of pass.
    • Player D: Touch the ball in front, glance at the attackers runs, back and the ball, and then deliver. Mix up your deliveries (driven, high cross, etc.).
    • Players A and B: Mix up your runs (Near post / Far post) and make double runs. Attack the ball.
  • Black Line:
    • Player F: Scan to see where players A and B are. If they are recovering then minimise the minimising the number of steps between your setup touch and shot. If they are deep, can you run with the ball and open up a better angle.

Finishing Drill: Lose Your Width

• Setup: All exercises should be done the same phase, then players follow their initial pass (Black Line) to rotate positions.
• Execution:
  • Black Line: The exercise starts with player (O), who passes to (1), who plays into (2). This is the cue for movement as (2) is facing forward. (4) is in the shadow of the defender, they then move across the defender to set (3). This is the cue for a diagonal run from wide. (3) then plays (5), who has run in behind the defender to finish.
  • Red Line: After the shot from (5), they should make an aggressive run across the cone to finish from a pass from (6).
  • Blue Line: Same setup as first exercise (black line) but when the ball is played to (2), (3) makes a deep run diagonally to receive a reverse pass from (2) and finish.
• Coaching Points: If you receive on the touchline in the final third, good teams will shift across and shut you down, forcing you back. Lose your width instead and play on the outside of their shape.