shooting is a special ability that comes in many different forms. There are a variety of techniques appropriate for any occasion, but behind them are some fundamental rules that apply to most situations.
10 tips for effective soccer shots
Whether you’re one-on-one with the goalie or 30 yards away, some aspects of the shot don’t change. The following article outlines ten of the most important tips when it comes to soccer shooting technique.
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watch football
Watching football is an easy way to learn and acquire vital information. By watching professionals play on a regular basis, you will develop your understanding of the game.
This understanding extends to shooting techniques. your soccer shooting skills will improve by virtue of the exposure. the more you see, the better you can replicate these techniques.
Professionals will often show you which techniques are best in different situations, but when they make a poor choice, commentators will likely point out what they could have done better. this is an effortless way to improve your own shots.
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use power to your advantage
Not always the best course of action, but hitting a power shot is the best option when in doubt. the harder you hit the ball, the less time the goalie has to react. a strong shot can often make up for a lack of accuracy.
A solid connection to the ball is important, so work on your shooting power whenever you get the chance. It’s not just about strength when it comes to a powerful shot. technique is much more important. try to keep your balance and swing your leg across the ball to generate as much speed as possible.
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follow-up
kicking the ball will not only maximize your power, but it will also help you with direction. your kicking motion should bring your leg through the center of the ball for a quick, controlled strike.
The accuracy of your shots will improve with the correct kick motion. Of course, this isn’t the right technique for every occasion, but most of the time it will be invaluable.
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your foot is just as important
The kicking foot gets all the headlines, but be sure to consider the position of your supporting foot. the leg you’re standing on when you hit the ball makes a big difference and can be the difference between a goal and a bad shot.
Plant your foot on the ground with your knee bent for maximum balance. keep it about half a meter from the ball when it hits. too much, and you risk overstretching and making poor contact. too close, and you risk the ball getting stuck under your own feet and again making poor contact.
The importance of your foot standing cannot be overstated.
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be flexible
It’s not just your right foot that affects your shots, the rest of your body plays a role as well. Your upper body is largely responsible for your balance and can affect the direction of your shot.
leaning back too far will send the ball skyward, while slouching over the ball can limit the power generated.
Working on your flexibility and agility will allow you to quickly adjust your body position. this means you can set up for a shot and position yourself correctly much quicker than a less agile player and will improve your shots immeasurably.
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pay attention to the goalkeeper
Shooting isn’t just about yourself. The goalkeeper is the other important component in a shot, and as such, paying close attention to his position is a habit worth adopting.
Before you shoot, look up and take note of the goalie’s location. this will help inform shot type and direction.
If the goalkeeper is well off his line, a deflected shot may be the best course of action. if the goalkeeper has left a large space to his right, he tries to bend it in that direction. if the goalkeeper is low and goes to the ground early, it may be better to go around him. he looks up and takes note.
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practice one on one
Spectators often think of one-on-ones as easy opportunities. In truth, there is much more to a one-on-one, but they can become a likely scoring opportunity almost every time.
Practice is the best way to improve your one-on-one success rate. It will help you recognize what to do in specific situations and give you more confidence when the scenario occurs in a real match situation.
Other than that, keep your head up, be aware and keep your composure for best results.
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improve your accuracy
We recommend using the power in tip 2, but that doesn’t mean accuracy is lost. power is not the only option and when combined with precision it can be deadly.
once again, practice is the name of the game here. Soccer shooting drills designed to focus on accuracy are the best way to improve the accuracy of your shots.
Get used to hitting the target and aiming for the corners of the goals. eventually burying the ball at the ends of the goal will become second nature.
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vary your strokes
We mentioned it earlier, but this deserves its own dedicated space. Varying your hitting techniques will allow you to hit the right shot in the right situation.
There are many types of shots in soccer, and often there is more than one option for any given situation. by mixing things up, you’ll keep the opposition on their toes.
If the goalie knows you’re not going to shoot from distance early, he may start to get off his line. Vary your approach and you might be able to catch them.
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try hard
always seek to continue improving. there are so many exercises to improve shooting in soccer, so don’t get comfortable. if you find you’re just going through the motions, add new elements, mix things up, and keep learning.
Keep trying and you’ll keep improving your shot.
conclusion
If your child wants to improve their shooting skills in a friendly environment, why not take them to a samba soccer school? soccer shooting technique exercises are just one of the many things that are trained in our camps.
frequently asked questions about soccer shots:
how to increase the power of the shot in football?
A lot of shot power comes from technique. hit the ball cleanly with good body position to increase shot power.
how to improve the accuracy of your shots in soccer?
Most of the tips above will benefit your accuracy when shooting. practice is the number one way to do it.
how do you throw a soccer ball high?
leaning back and making contact with the bottom of the ball will lift it off the ground. the more power you can put behind that, the higher you’re likely to go.
why is it important to shoot in soccer?
Goals are the currency of football, so naturally shooting is important. without shots there are no goals and without goals there are no winners.
Where can I find the best soccer school for my son to improve his shooting skills?
samba football schools in london offer expert friendly training for children aged 4-11. If you want more information on the subject, you can find it here.
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