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Soccer: Shooting

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The most exciting play in soccer is when a goal is scored. If you play forward or an offensive midfielder position, you will want to learn how to shoot the soccer ball.


Player shooting the ball
Source: US Navy
It sounds obvious, but shooting the ball for a goal is a very different skill from passing the ball. When passing the ball, you want to pass it such that your teammate can easily control the ball. When shooting, you want to shoot it such that the goalie can't get to it or stop it.

Shoot It!

One thing that all great goal scorers have is the ability to get off the shot the second it is open. You can't hesitate. When the shot is open you have to take it!

There are two main types of shots on goal that you will want to practice and learn: the ground shot and the volley shot.

Ground Shot

A ground shot is when the ball is rolling or lying on the ground. This is the most common type of shot playing soccer. Proper positioning, balance, and striking the ball are all important to make a powerful and accurate ground shot.
Volley Shot

A volley shot is when you kick the soccer ball out of the air, often directly from a pass. Volley shots are taken around the goal in crowded areas. Often you won't have the luxury to trap the ball, let it settle, and take a ground shot, so you need to take the pass and kick it right out of the air into the goal. This is a tough shot to make, but it's also very difficult for the goalie to defend.

To make a good volley shot takes concentration. You must watch the ball all the way to contact on your foot. This shot takes lots of practice, but can result in a lot of goals.

Where to Aim

When striking a shot you will want to aim the soccer ball into certain areas of the goal. If taking a shot from the side, it is sometimes best to aim for just inside the far goalpost. This way if you miss, a teammate may have the opportunity to knock it in. The toughest place for the goalie to reach will be the upper corners of the goal, however, ground shots are very difficult to defend as well. The goalie will need to get down low and the ball can bounce funny, making it hard for the goalie to catch.

Follow Your Shot

After you have taken a shot, you should follow your shot. Never give up on the scoring opportunity. The ball could bounce off of the goal posts or even off of the goalie. Rebound goals can be some of the easiest as the goalie will often be out of position leaving an open goal.

Sliding

Sometimes the ball may be near the goal and you are running full speed to try and kick it. A slide shot is when you slide, just like you would into second base in baseball, and hit the ball with your outstretched foot, knocking it into the goal. Just be sure you don't slide into another player or the goalie.

More Soccer Links:

Rules
Soccer Rules
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Length of the Game
Goalkeeper Rules
Offside Rule
Fouls and Penalties
Referee Signals
Restart Rules

 Gameplay
Soccer Gameplay
Controlling the Ball
Passing the Ball
Dribbling
Shooting
Playing Defense
Tackling

 Strategy and Drills
Soccer Strategy
Team Formations
Player Positions
Goalkeeper
Set Plays or Pieces
Individual Drills
Team Games and Drills

Biographies
Mia Hamm
David Beckham
Other
Soccer Glossary
Professional Leagues

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