Follow the shot: soccer rebound drill
Follow the shot is a drill in which a player shoots and then, with a teammate, keeps running toward the goal to finish any rebound. It trains the habit of following in after every shot, so the attacker reaches the loose ball first.
Soccer is called football in most of the world. This guide is part of Futbol Island’s free football lessons for kids aged 7 to 12.
Follow the shot: setup diagram
At a glance
| Detail | For this drill |
|---|---|
| Ages | U8 to U12 (ages 7 to 12) |
| Players | 6 to 12, in pairs |
| Space | 20 x 20 yd (18 x 18 m) |
| Equipment | One goal; balls; a bench or board on its side in the goal for U8, or a goalkeeper from U10 |
| Time | 10 minutes |
| Skill | Shooting and finishing |
Change the size of the area to fit your group: bigger makes it easier for the player with the ball, smaller makes it harder. Everyone who goes out comes straight back in, and nobody runs laps.
How to run it
- Pairs start 15 yards from goal. One has the ball.
- The player with the ball takes a touch and shoots, low. Both players keep running toward the goal.
- If the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper, the board or the post, the first attacker to reach it finishes.
- If the shot goes in or wide, the coach rolls a second ball into the goal area for them to finish, so there is always a second ball.
- A rebound goal counts double. Pairs swap jobs each turn.
Coaching points to say out loud
- “Shoot and follow.”
- “Expect a rebound.”
- “Partner: far post.”
- “Stay on your feet and finish.”
Make it easier or harder
Easier
No goalkeeper: the coach simply rolls the second ball out each time.
Harder
A defender starts beside the goal and races the attackers to the rebound.
Common mistakes
- Shooting, then standing to watch the ball. It is the most common habit in youth soccer.
- Both players running to the same spot. One follows the shot and the other covers the far post.
- Wild swings at the rebound from two yards out. A calm side foot is enough.
Why it matters in a game
Goalkeepers of every age drop shots, and posts send balls back out. Our 7v7 lesson on shot reaction teaches the reading that goes with the run: is it a loose rebound to attack, or has the goalkeeper got it under control?
The lesson that teaches it: Watch What Happens After the Shot.
Questions about Follow the shot
Why should players follow their shot?
Because a saved or blocked shot often comes back into play. The attacker who is already running gets there before a defender who is turning around.
Is it safe to challenge the goalkeeper for a rebound?
Players go for a loose ball only. Once the goalkeeper has a hand on the ball it is theirs, and attackers must pull away. Teach that rule before you start.
How do I run it without a goalkeeper?
Lay a bench or a board on its side across the goal so shots bounce back out, or have the coach roll in a second ball after every shot.
Lessons that teach this idea
- Watch What Happens After the Shot (7v7 lesson)A wide midfielder reads a loose rebound or a goalkeeper’s controlled ball before deciding whether to approach or recover.
- Arrive at the Far Post (Futsal lesson)Time support across goal, and keep another option when that route is covered.
- 4-4-2: Support the Second Ball (11v11 lesson)Forwards at two depths and a midfielder underneath win the loose ball. If Blue wins it, recover through the middle.
Related drills and guides
- World Cup shooting game (drill)It trains finishing in a crowd, quick shots and reacting to rebounds.
- Dribble and shoot (drill)It trains striking a moving ball with the laces and looking at the goal before the shot.
- Lay-off and shoot (drill)It trains striking a ball that is rolling across or toward the shooter, and the set-up pass that makes a shot easy.
- Crossing and finishing (drill)It trains the timing of runs into the goal area and a first-time finish with the foot.
- Striker in soccerThe player who finishes chances
- Goalkeeper in soccerThe job, the skills and where to stand
- U8 soccer drills for 7 and 8 year oldsTen drills for 7 and 8 year olds: dribbling, 1v1, first passing and 3v3
- U10 soccer drills for 9 and 10 year oldsTen drills for 9 and 10 year olds: rondos, first touch, 2v1 and first goalkeeping
- U12 soccer drills for 11 and 12 year oldsTen drills for 11 and 12 year olds: 4v2 rondos, possession, defending in pairs and finishing
- Soccer shooting drills for kidsShooting and finishing drills without long lines, for U6 to U12
- U12 soccer practice plan: shooting and finishingA 75-minute plan that uses this drill
- All shooting and finishing drillsStriking at goal, and what to do after the shot.
Futbol Island is a free football (soccer) learning game for kids aged 7 to 12. Every idea on this page is taught on a pitch with moving players, then checked with a quick quiz.