The Three Rules of Shooting
Shooting a soccer ball is one of the most technically demanding things a soccer player must do in a game. Imagine trying to do something as technically demanding as a golf swing. Only you are teeing off with two or three opponents jockeying you and you are running at full speed. No wonder you see professional players sky shots over the bar in games all the time.
When I am coaching shooting, I try to keep things simple with what I call the three rules of shooting.
Rule #1 Shoot on Frame
By ‘on frame’ that means between the goalposts and under the crossbar. The goal looks like a big target but at the youth and high school (and higher!) levels you see shots that go wide or high of the target all the time. This is usually caused by the plant foot not pointing at the target, but it can also be due to defensive pressure which forces poor technique due to rushing the shot.
Rule #2 Not at the Goalkeeper
When you are taking a shot, you have at least one person whose only job is to stop the ball from going into the net. Why would you shoot it straight at that person? This occurs most often when players want to shoot with power over placement. Typically to achieve power you would use your laces to hit the ball. That’s great but it very difficult to achieve accuracy with that technique. Why not hit it with the side of your foot where the goalkeeper isn’t? Especially if you are close to the goal, say within 12 yards. A side footed pass from that distance will be fast enough to get in the goal if placed away from the goalkeeper.
Rule #3 When in Doubt Shoot Far Post
When shooting from an angle the shooter has a choice. They can shoot between the keeper and the near post or past the keeper into the far post. If they can’t decide I always say go far post. Why? Well, if they miss near post it results in a goal kick. Where if they miss near post there is a chance one of their teammates could be making a far post run and still knock the ball into the goal.
Here a near post miss goes out for a goal kick:
A far post miss can turn into a cross if you have a teammate running onto it.
Shooting is a highly technical skill. As difficult as a golf swing but with many more variables than just the weather. To get good at shooting you need to get repetitions into your legs, much like golfers going to the driving range. There is no shortcut. Want to get good? Find a friend, a ball, and a goal and get practicing!