The object of soccer is to score goals: shooting is therefore obviously vital. All other soccer techniques are wasted if shooting chances are not taken - therefore, take each and every shooting opportunity that occurs.

One aspect is certain: you may not score every time you shoot BUT YOU WILL NOT SCORE UNLESS YOU SHOOT. Be sure to take your responsibility to shoot, score and . . . sometimes miss.

Records have shown that a high percentage of shots are taken not directly in front of goal but from an angle to the side of goal. Not surprisingly, defenders will defend the area immediately in front of the goal, so more of the chances to shoot are presented to the side of goals.

Shooting practice should therefore be concentrated on angled shots. It is important wherever possible to practice shooting in full-size goals: where this is not possible the goal should be at least the correct width even if cones, corner posts or even coats are used.

LOW OR HIGH SHOTS?

Low shots are harder for the goalkeeper to save. High shots allow the goalkeeper to pick up the flight of the ball and shorter distances to move to save them.

Low shots can be deflected into goal by another player: high shots going over the bar therefore cannot be deflected.

Low shots can also cause problems for the goalkeeper by bumping or skidding on the surface: high shots cannot.

Low shots are best achieved by striking through the middle of the ball with the laces.

Whatever you do therefore go for accuracy before power and do not miss by shooting over the crossbar - it is less of a sin to shoot wide rather than high.

NEAR OR FAR HALF OF THE GOAL?

Shots going away from the goalkeeper are harder for the goalkeeper to save than shots towards the near half of the goal. Shots going away from the goalkeeper are also harder for the goalkeeper to hold and, as such, present rebounds for team mates to score.

If the Attacker shoots for the near half of the goal and the goalkeeper deflects the ball - a corner results. If the Attacker shoots for the far half of the goal and the goalkeeper deflects the ball this will be across the goal and present an opportunity for a team-mate to score. Shots to the far half of the goal therefore have a greater chance of producing secondary scoring opportunities.

Furthermore if you consistently aim for the far half of the goal and miss this target, your shot will at worst go for goal or miss at the far post: if you aim for the near half of the goal and miss, your shot will miss the goal at the near post and produce no secondary scoring opportunities.

Accuracy in shooting is more important than power.
Therefore if you are going to miss -

Don’t miss over the bar.

Don’t miss at the near post but if you have to miss - miss just beyond the far post.





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