⚽ Shooting
First Shots — Mini Goals
U7s love scoring goals.
First Shots — Mini Goals — full pitch view
The one cue that matters
Quick release before the defender or keeper sets
◆Why this drill works
U7s love scoring goals. They don't love being told to 'plant your standing foot next to the ball, lock your ankle, follow through' — that's an adult coaching framework on a six-year-old's brain. This drill front-loads success: small goals, close range, no keeper, both feet, no queue. The coaching point is simple — 'point your toe at the goal' — and that's it. Volume builds technique by feel; explicit instruction comes later, around U9 when they have the cognitive space for it. The Future Fit framework explicitly puts joy and confidence ahead of technique at U7-U8, and this drill reflects that.
▦The drill in three phases
1Setup
Starting positions — players, zones and equipment in place.
2Action
Movement begins — players run, dribble and create the pattern.
3Finish
The end action — pass, shot or outcome the drill builds toward.
Ball carrierAttackersDefendersPass / dribbleShot
▶How to run it
- Set up four mini-goals (or cones forming 1-yard goals) at the corners of a 16×10 yard area. Pile balls in the middle. Every player has a ball — no queue.
- On 'go', every player picks up a ball, dribbles toward any goal, and shoots. Once they score (or miss), they sprint back, grab another ball, pick a different goal, shoot again.
- Coach the only point: 'Point your toe at the goal'. That's the entire technical instruction. Don't plant-foot, don't lock-ankle, don't follow-through. Just toe at the goal.
- After 4 minutes, change the rule: 'next 2 minutes you can only score with your weaker foot'. Now they're learning both-footedness without realising it. Most U7s have never used their weaker foot.
- After 6 minutes, add a small competition: 'who can score in all four goals first?' The kids self-direct, no coaching needed. They love this.
- Last 2 minutes: introduce a 'shooter and ball-fetcher' rotation if energy is flagging. One pair: shooter shoots, partner runs the ball back. Switch every minute. This buys recovery time without losing engagement.
✦Coaching points
Praise when you see
- Quick release before the defender or keeper sets
- Body over the ball to keep the shot down
Correct when you see
- Leaning back and ballooning the shot over — get the body over the ball
- Snatching at the shot without setting the feet
- Always going for power — placement beats power near goal
★Kit for this drill — top picks compared
| Pick | Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick | Mitre Impel Footballs (6-pack) | Match-weight balls that hold shape all season. | Check price → |
| Value | Disc Marker Cones (50-pack) | Mark zones and targets in seconds. | Check price → |
| Upgrade | Pop-Up Training Goals (pair) | Realistic target practice anywhere. | Check price → |
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?Frequently asked questions
What age group is First Shots — Mini Goals suitable for?
This drill suits youth. Younger players can use a bigger target or closer range; older players should add a defender and a goalkeeper to increase the pressure.
How many players do I need for First Shots — Mini Goals?
This drill works well with around 10 players. With fewer, reduce the groups or rotate players through; with more, set up multiple stations so everyone stays active rather than queuing.
How long does First Shots — Mini Goals take?
Allow around 3 minutes to set up and 15 minutes to run it — about 18 minutes in total. It fits well as the technical or main block of a session, leaving time for a warm-up and a game.