Shooters and Shaggers

Attackers Defenders Neutral Goalkeeper Pass Run Dribble Shot

Shooters and Shaggers is a competitive soccer shooting drill that builds accuracy, leg strength, and a clean instep drive. U9-U16 players pair up - one shoots, one retrieves - and race other pairs to score a no-bounce goal from every cone on the arc. The friendly rivalry keeps effort high without you saying a word.

Browse the full shooting drills library for more like this, or explore every soccer drill for U13 players.

Setup

• Pair up your players: one shooter, one shagger (ball retriever) per pair. Each pair is a team.
• Set out an arc of five cones roughly 10 yards from goal.
• Leave the goal empty - no keeper.
• Shooters start at the first cone; shaggers stand behind the goal and only fetch balls for their own partner.

How It Works

1. From cone one, each shooter tries to score with a strike that flies into the goal without bouncing.
2. If the shot bounces first or misses, the shooter gets the ball back from their shagger and tries again from the same cone.
3. A clean no-bounce goal earns the shooter a move to the next cone on the arc.
4. The first three players to score from all five cones win the round.
5. Swap roles so the shaggers shoot and the shooters retrieve, then play again.

Coaching Points

• Check the approach angle - players should come onto the ball slightly from the side.
• The plant foot lands beside the ball, not too close and not too far away.
• Lock the ankle and strike with the laces for a firm, rising shot.
• Expect a slow start; the pace and competition build quickly once players find their rhythm.

Variations

• For younger players who can't lift the ball yet, score with hard driven shots along the ground instead.
• Ditch the shaggers: every player keeps their own ball, half start at the last cone working backwards, half at the first cone working forwards.