CLASSIC CLIPS | Jermain Defoe's SECRET Timing Tip To Build ELITE Finishers & Using it in Management
4/27/20267 min
FROM THE VAULT: In this classic clip, former England international and Premier League striker Jermain Defoe joins the lads to break down the fine margins that define elite goal scorers.
Widely regarded as one of the most natural finishers of his generation, Defoe reflects on his early days at West Ham, where he learned crucial lessons from club legend Ian Wright.
Defoe reveals the specific training ground drills that shaped his movement in the box, including a brutal but effective method Wright used to improve his timing and composure.
He explains why most young forwards make the same costly mistake—arriving too early—and how mastering movement and patience can dramatically increase goal-scoring chances.
The conversation also touches on modern strikers like Erling Haaland, the evolution of the game, and how Defoe began transitioning into coaching at Tottenham’s academy.
Since this episode was recorded, Defoe has taken the next step in his journey and is now the manager of Woking—making this a fascinating look back at the early ideas and influences shaping his approach to management today.
If you like this clip, you can catch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/YI4YecuoXP8
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsPeter Crouch· Host0:00
When I look at your game, I, I see so much of Ian Wright, even with your celebrations.
Jermain Defoe· Guest0:04
Yeah.
Peter Crouch· Host0:05
You know, like, the way you strike the ball sometimes. Like, I, I see so much of Ian Wright in your game. Like, how much of an influence was he?
Jermain Defoe· Guest0:13
He was massive, 'cause I was lucky obviously. When I signed for West Ham, he was still there, just before. I think he, he went to Nottingham Forest after that. But obviously at that stage I knew that it's the back end of his career, he's not gonna be there long, so I'm just, I'm just gonna try and take as much from him as possible. Um, obviously as well as, like, obviously Lamps was there, Rio, all that lot, but, like, De Caneio was there was brilliant with the young players. But Wright was just, like, spoke about finishing, movement. He would sort of, like, hold me during training, so I'd time my movement in the box. So loads of stuff that, like, I took from Wright is, at s- when I was 16 years old.
Peter Crouch· Host0:41
What, what, what specifically did he do, Jermaine? What, what kind of ... Like, give us an insight, like, on, um ... When you say ... What, what would he do? Hold you back in the b- I think, I think- Like, what, what, what, like, specifically do you remember? Was there, like, one- So we'd do, like, crossing, we'd do crossing and finishing, and he would just say to me, he said, "You're getting into the, you're getting into the box too early.
Jermain Defoe· Guest0:55
Your movement's got, your, your timing's gotta be better. 'Cause obviously you're so eager to score goals, you're getting into the box and sometime the ball's coming behind you or, like ..." So it's all about timing. So he used to sort of, like, just hold onto my training kit. Especially back then with training kits, they're so baggy.
Peter Crouch· Host1:08
And you'd be wanting to move.
Jermain Defoe· Guest1:09
Right. So he'd be holding onto my training kit, and he w- and, and then, and he, then he would push me across to the near post, and then I'd get my finish and stuff like that. But just timing. And I think when you do all these things as young kids, it sticks with you, just, it stays with you. Do you know what I mean? So, like- It's mad.
Peter Crouch· Host1:22
Like, for me- Yeah ... hearing the idea of Ian Wright holding the, the back of your, your, your vest- I was 16 ... like, like, and you're wanting to move, and it feels unnatural.