Lay-off and shoot soccer drill

Lay-off and shoot is a drill in which a player passes to a teammate near the goal, runs on to the return pass and shoots first time. It trains striking a ball that is rolling across or toward the shooter, and the set-up pass that makes a shot easy.

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.

Lay-off and shoot: setup diagram

Lay-off and shoot setupSetup diagram of an area 20 yards wide and 22 yards long, seen from above, with a cone on each corner. Gold dots are attackers or players with a ball and dark green dots are defenders; white bars are goals, solid arrows are passes, dashed arrows are runs without the ball. The shooter passes from the bottom to a target player standing in front of the goal, who lays the ball off to the side. The shooter runs on to it and shoots at the goal at the top.STGK220 x 22 yd (18 x 20 m)
The shooter passes from the bottom to a target player standing in front of the goal, who lays the ball off to the side. The shooter runs on to it and shoots at the goal at the top. Gold: attackers. White bars: goals. Solid arrow: pass. Dashed arrow: run. Open this diagram as a picture.

At a glance

DetailFor this drill
AgesU8 to U12 (ages 7 to 12)
Players4 to 10, plus a goalkeeper from U10
Space20 x 22 yd (18 x 20 m)
EquipmentOne goal or small goal; one ball per shooter; cones
Time10 to 12 minutes
SkillShooting 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

  1. A target player stands 12 yards from goal, facing the shooters. Shooters start 10 yards farther back, each with a ball.
  2. The shooter passes firmly to the target’s feet and follows the pass at an angle.
  3. The target lays the ball off gently to one side with one touch.
  4. The shooter strikes it first time. Then the shooter becomes the target, and the target fetches the ball and joins the shooters.
  5. Alternate sides so both feet get shots. Keep groups small, or run a second goal, so the wait is one turn at most.

Coaching points to say out loud

  • “Firm pass in, soft pass out.”
  • “Run on to it.”
  • “Eyes on the ball at the strike.”
  • “Hit the target first; power comes later.”

Make it easier or harder

  • Easier

    Allow one touch to control before shooting, and shoot from closer in.

  • Harder

    Add a defender who starts beside the target and closes the shooter down. Or the target may turn and shoot if the defender leaves.

Common mistakes

  • A lay-off that is too hard or behind the shooter. It should roll gently into their path.
  • The shooter arriving too early and waiting on the ball, flat-footed.
  • Trying to burst the net. A side-foot shot into the corner beats a blast over the goal.

Why it matters in a game

The target player is doing a striker’s job: receiving with their back to goal and setting up a teammate. Our futsal lesson on the pivot and the lessons on arriving in front of goal teach both halves of the move.

The lesson that teaches it: Pivot: Turn or Combine.

Questions about Lay-off and shoot

  • What is a lay-off in soccer?

    A short, soft pass, usually one touch, played back or sideways to a teammate who is arriving and can shoot or pass forward.

  • How do I teach shooting first time?

    Slow the pass down. A gentle lay-off, a short run, eyes on the ball and a side-foot finish. Add pace only when the contact is clean.

  • Should the goalkeeper be a child?

    From U10, yes, in turns, and the shots should come from a sensible distance. For U8, use a small goal with no goalkeeper.

Lessons that teach this idea

Related drills and guides

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.

Play the lesson: Pivot: Turn or Combine