How to Shoot a Soccer Ball with tips

Technique

Shooting a ball requires a player to use the following technical coaching points;

• Standing foot next to ball and pointing towards intended target.
• Strike ball with laces, toes pointing down.
• Strike ball at midline.
• Follow through pointing to intended target.
• Aim for corners of goal to make it difficult for goalkeeper to save.

Awareness

During a game a player should be aware of their surroundings. Factors that impact a shot on goal include;

• Goalkeeper positioning – To one side of goal? On goal line or off line and vulnerable to chip?
• Defensive pressure – Time to take a preparation touch out of feet? Shot must be taken one time? Is pressure so heavy that shooting is not the best option, and a pass to a better positioned teammate is?

Power vs Accuracy

A player must quickly decide before shooting whether power or accuracy is the best form of shooting. Power shooting requires the technique outlined above, whereas accuracy shooting can be side footed or chipped. For a side footed finish the following technical points should be followed;

• Standing foot next to ball and pointing towards target.
• Contact ball firmly at midline with side of foot, using wider surface area.
• Aim for corners of goal to increase difficulty for goalkeeper to make a save.

A chipped shot is effective when the goalkeeper is off his goal line, and requires similar coaching points with the only difference being the ball contact. A chipped ball requires a player to get his foot underneath the ball, contacting the bottom of the ball and lifting it over the head of the goalkeeper with the follow through.

Deception

For players who develop more advanced technique they can incorporate deception into their finishing ability. Players should only proceed to this when they are consistently high quality with the technique of all forms of shooting.

Deception can be used when under no pressure from defenders and a forward is looking to wrong foot the goalkeeper before firing a shot on target. One method of deception is to use body shape, to pull the leg back to shoot giving the impression you will shoot in one direction, before shifting weight and slotting the ball in the other corner past an off balance goalkeeper.

A forward can also use his eyes to deceive a goalkeeper, in a breakaway 1 v 1 situation the forward looking to one side may fool a goalkeeper who is looking to gain an edge by reading body language. Looking to one side before rolling the ball past the other side of the goalkeeper can be an effective form of deception.

Aggression

Confidence and aggression are key mental components when it comes to shooting a soccer ball. A forward should look to shoot when he receives opportunity to do so inside the 18 yard area. Hesitant players who are indecisive often lose the opportunity to shoot simply by taking too long to do so, and having defensive pressure smother the attack. Coaches should encourage the shooting mentality and not criticize a player for taking a missed shot, only through confidence will goals consistently come.

Practice

The best way to improve in your ability to shoot a soccer ball is the same as all skills, through time and repetition. If you can find a couple of friends have one play goalkeeper and one feed the ball. Perform 20-30 repetitions before rotating and sharing the drill with them. Practice the following types of shot;

• Left Foot
• Right Foot
• One Time
• Volley
• Bouncing Ball

If you are alone use cones to mark an area 2-3 yards inside each goal post. Try and fit the ball between the goal post and the cone, assume anything not that wide was saved by a diving goalkeeper. Practice putting shots in the bottom and top corner of the goal. Coachfx

Click to view a shooting alone drill

ACTION PLAN

• Practice shooting both with team and alone.
• Practice shots with both feet.
• Shoot 100-200 balls if training alone.
• Be confident, it is how many you score that counts, not how many you miss.