Breakaway Speed Finishing
Speed & Acceleration
Legend
- player
- coach / parent
- cones
- ball
How it works
Sprint at maximum speed onto a through ball, controlling it at pace, and finishing composedly on goal.
What you need
- cones
- soccer ball
- goals
Your focus
Breakaway situations test both pure speed and the ability to control a ball and finish while at top speed. Repeated practice of the full breakaway sequence , sprint, control, finish , builds the confidence and technique that converts breakaways into goals.
Player starts 30 yards from goal. Server is at 35 yards.
On signal, player sprints; server plays through ball into space ahead.
Player must reach the ball before a marker cone (simulating defender catching up).
Control with one touch, set up and shoot on goal.
10 reps; vary service angle (left channel, right channel, central).
Track: goals scored, first-time finishes, shots on target.
Goal
You're there when you receive at full speed and still put the ball on target, if you have to slow down to control it, the touch wasn't clean enough.
Helpful cues
- Sprint to where the ball is going, not where it is
- First touch should take you forward, not to the side
- Stay balanced at speed, don't overrun your touch
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Ball is already rolling when player starts sprint, easier to anticipate.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Goalkeeper charges out as player approaches, must chip or go early.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.