Javier “Chicharito” Hernández made a career out of being in the right place at the right time. The Mexico striker wasn’t the biggest or the strongest player on the field, but his movement, timing and first-time finishing made him one of the most natural goalscorers of his generation, and he became Mexico’s all-time leading scorer. Here’s how to play like Chicharito, and the drills to train his finishing instincts.
Who Is Chicharito?
Hernández broke through at Chivas Guadalajara before joining Manchester United, where he scored 20 goals in his debut season. He went on to play for Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham, Sevilla and the LA Galaxy before returning to Chivas. With Mexico, he became the national team’s record goalscorer.
He also played with joy. You could always see how much he loved to play, and how much he loved to score.
Chicharito’s Playing Style
1. Movement off the ball
Chicharito’s greatest skill was what he did without the ball. He made sharp runs across defenders, between center-backs, and into the space behind them.
2. Timing
He arrived in the box at exactly the right moment, never too early, never too late.
3. First-time finishing
Many of his goals were one-touch finishes: tap-ins, volleys and flicks. He didn’t need time on the ball.
4. Anticipation
He read where the ball would land: rebounds, deflections and crosses.
5. Heading
Despite his size, he scored plenty of headers by timing his jumps and attacking the ball.
How to Play Like Chicharito
- Keep moving: make runs even when you don’t think you’ll get the ball.
- Attack the near post: it’s where many goals are scored.
- Follow every shot: be ready for rebounds.
- Finish first-time: practise one-touch finishing with both feet and your head.
- Stay onside: time your runs off the last defender.
Finishing Drills Inspired by Chicharito
- Near-post runs (5 minutes): a server crosses low to the near post; the striker times a run to finish first-time.
- Rebound reaction (5 minutes): the coach shoots at the goalkeeper; the striker follows in for any rebound.
- Curved run behind (5 minutes): the striker bends a run behind a defender to receive a through ball and finish.
- Finishing game (10 minutes): 3v3 in the penalty area with servers on the sides. Goals only count from one touch.
Common Mistakes for Young Strikers
- Standing still: strikers who don’t move don’t score.
- Arriving too early: defenders mark you out of the play.
- Taking too many touches: in the box, finish quickly.
Finishing and the Coerver Method
Finishing is one of the six building blocks of the Coerver Pyramid of Player Development. We teach it after the foundations of ball mastery, receiving and passing, so players have the technique to finish first-time under pressure.
Want more striker content? Read our striker training drills and near and far post finishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Chicharito” mean?
“Little pea.” His father, Javier Hernández Gutiérrez, also a Mexico international, was known as “Chícharo” (pea).
Is Chicharito Mexico’s all-time top scorer?
Yes, he is the Mexican national team’s record goalscorer.
What was Chicharito best at?
Off-the-ball movement and first-time finishing.
Coach it with your own team.
The Coerver Session Planner gives youth coaches ready-made practice sessions built on the Coerver method: fun, organized and packed with touches on the ball.
