Shoot a Soccer Ball
Do you play soccer? Did you always dream of that magic shot in the high corner of the net? And you want to know how to do it? Well, this is your chance to be a star!
Steps
- Stand behind the ball and place your weaker foot next to it.
- Pull back your strong foot and swing it towards the ball and hit it with your instep or on the top of your foot (not your toes!). With your knee over the ball strike it with the top of your foot and your toes pointed down towards the ground. But if you really want to be the best striker in the league, or school, or whatever your case may be, don't have a strong foot. One foot is naturally better than the other, but work on the weaker foot to make it just as good.
- Learn to aim. This means you shoot the ball inside the goal. There are a few steps how to aim before you hit the ball.
- Think about where you want to place it. With your weak foot (that is next to the ball) you can place the shot in any direction. If you aim your big toe to the left, you'll shoot towards the left. The same happens when you move it to the right.Never stare at where you are going to shoot or the goalie will be ready. If you want to trick them look at one side of the net for about 3 seconds then shoot to the other side of the net or drop back.
- Focus your attention on the ball.
- Lean back or lean over the ball. When you lean back the ball goes up, when you lean over the ball, you'll shoot low.
- Hit the ball with your instep.
- Train your upper leg and calf.
- Take a run towards the ball. This will make your shot harder, but may become accurate. However, there may be case where accuracy is most important. In those cases, just worry about getting to the right place.
- Try to shoot with your laces. This allows more surface area on ball while shooting. This will give you maximum power while taking long range shots.
- Lock your ankle vertically while performing a lace kick. Keep your knee over the ball while shooting to give accuracy and strength.
Tips
- Train against a wall or with a friend. Mark some spots on the wall to practice aiming.
- Shoot the ball when it's rolling towards you. Lean over the ball because otherwise, your shot could go too high.
- Strike the ball with the inside of your foot. This will curve the ball. You can also do this with the outside of your foot.
- Fake like you are going to shoot, this will confuse your opponent for a second.
- Practice playing in all of the positions on a soccer field if you want to have a future in soccer
- Make sure you have a clearer open space to shoot, or work around the defender. Try to stay a distance.
- Try placing your foot under the ball while kicking it to get some air under it.
- For more experienced players: shoot the ball from a distance (like 16 meters), the keeper could be surprised.
- Shoot the ball when it comes out of the air, it may be a more powerful shot.
- Try to head the ball when it's high and in front of goal. This is more effective.
- Aim for the top corners of a goal for maximum goal rates (top right, top left). This will make it harder for the goalie to block the shot.
- Master both your strong and your weak foot. This will make you a good all-around player.
- Don't always shoot. If the keepers is too far out of his goal, chip the ball over him or try to pass to a teammate.
Warnings
- Try to control the ball and look at the keepers position before you shoot
- Just concentrate on the ball until you shoot
- Don't shoot with your toes (nose of your shoes).
- Don't try to shoot from very difficult spots. Most of the time there's a team-mate who is in a better position.
- Don't shoot too much in a soccer game. You could be called a "ball-hog". Pass to your team-mates too, this will reduce chance of being called a "ball-hog".
- Don't try to curve, volley (shoot the ball directly out of the air) or chip the ball when you're inexperienced.
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