Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Kick the ball
• Method 2 of 3: Shoot while running
• Method 3 of 3: Choose where to shoot
• Tips

Shooting the ball with power and precision is an important skill for any football player. The best way to develop proper technique is to practice. A good shot involves assessing the situation on the field, as well as putting your non-firing foot down and moving your leg forward with force. Become a better shooter and watch your goal count skyrocket!

To step

Method 1 of 3: Kick the ball

1. Look up before you kick the ball. Before you shoot, look at the field in front of you. Focus as much as possible on where you want the ball to go. Notice where the other players are, including the defenders, goalkeeper and your teammates. Use this information to adjust or replay your shot if a teammate has a better shot opportunity.
   • You may see some professional players shoot without looking up. Through their playing experience they develop a feeling for their position on the field. This is most often done close to the target, as looking up slows the shot a bit.
2. Keep your eyes on the ball. Look down at the ball again and watch it until you shoot. Doing this leads to stronger, more precise shots.
3. Run to the ball with even strides. Keep the steps you take the same length as when you run. Avoid stretching too far forward or taking a series of short steps as this will disturb your balance.
   • When you shoot a ball at rest, stand back just far enough to reach the ball in 3 or 4 steps.
4. Put your non-kicking foot next to the ball. Where you put this foot determines where the ball will go. Place it next to the ball, about a shoulder width from your other foot. A good average distance should feel comfortable. Keep your toes straight toward the target.
   • Moving your foot further away from the ball helps if you need to get the ball further up, such as shooting over a defender wall.
5. Bring your kicking leg back as far as you can. The further you can bring your leg back, the more power you can generate. Bend your leg at the knee and keep your toes pointed down. In the perfect shooting position, your leg looks like it has a V shape.
   • Stretch your legs often to increase your flexibility.
6. Holds your ankle in place. This is also called locking your ankle. Your foot should still be pointing down, straight and firm. Your ankle shouldn't wobble at all when you shoot the ball. Any movement weakens your shot.
7. Stand upright when you shoot. Staying in a neutral position gives you maximum control over the ball's flight. Leaning a little, if that feels natural to you, is fine, but try not to lean more. Instead, focus on turning towards the goal.
   • If the ball flies over the net often, you may be leaning back too much. If it stays lower than you'd like, you may be leaning forward too much.
   EXPERT TIP

   Aim for the center of the ball. Choose where your foot will hit the ball. Usually this is the part of the ball closest to you. Kicking in the middle gives you control over your shot while also generating a lot of power.

   • To get your shot higher in the air, kick the ball slightly lower than against the center.
   • To deflect the ball, kick to the left or right of the center. Kicking left makes the ball deflect to the right. Kicking right makes it go left with a bow.
8. Hit the ball with the laces of your shoe for a more powerful shot. Bring your foot forward. Hit the ball with the top part of your foot to generate powerful yet precise shots. This is the kind of shot you will need on most occasions.
   • To bend your shot more, hit the ball with the side of your toes.
9. Kick the ball with the side of your foot for a more precise shot. As you approach the ball, turn your foot to the side. Hit the ball with the inner edge of your foot. Your shot won't get as powerful, but the greater precision is good for shots close to the target or if the defense doesn't give you much space.
10. Follow up with your shooting leg. After you hit the ball, you don't stop moving. Bring your shooting leg to a medium height. Walk through and put your foot on the ground. A bad follow-up prevents your shot from reaching your target or makes it go wildly off its line.
    • To make the ball go higher, raise your leg more in the air during the sequel.

Method 2 of 3: Shoot while running

1. Push the ball forward. To get a good shot, the ball should not be close to your body. Tap the ball a step or two in front of your shooting foot. Push him directly in front of you to get into position for a normal straight shot. Move it slightly to the side if you want to bend your shot or change your angle.
   • Take average steps to the ball. The best shot happens when you don't slow or change your steps as you approach the ball.
   • To practice this, start approaching the ball with slow, steady steps. Increase speed if comfortable.
2. Put your foot in front of the ball. Putting your foot down is the same as a normal kick, except that the ball rolls. If you put your non-shooting foot next to the ball, the ball will roll past it. When executed perfectly, the ball will be level with your foot when you kick.
   • Remember to extend your toes from the foot that is set to the target!
3. Kick the ball as you normally would. Use the same approach you learned earlier when kicking the ball. Pull your foot back, lock your ankle and follow up with your shot. The shots you take running will soon be as perfect as the ones you take while standing!

Method 3 of 3: Choose where to shoot

1. Take shots at distances that are comfortable for you. Look up at the field to see where you are in relation to the ball. Remember how well you shoot during training. If you don't have that much power, shooting from a distance won't do you much good. You will score more goals by being closer to the goal to get a better shot.
   • Practice shooting from a variety of distances and angles to prepare for any situation that may arise during a match.
2. Pay attention to the positioning of the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper can stand to the side and release one side of the goal. He can also move to one side, lean, or start running before you shoot. Amaze him by shooting in the opposite direction!
3. Shoot over the keeper. Normally it is best to shoot to the other side of the net. If you are on the right, shoot to the left of the target. The goalkeeper is usually closer to you and has to move further to get the ball.
   • This is not always your best choice. If you are very close to one side of the goal, someone is blocking the other, or are approaching a defender, you may not be able to aim for the other side.
4. Aim for the corners or the net to the side of the target. Normally, the goalkeeper is in the center of the goal, leaving the sides open. Force the goalkeeper to dive for a save if possible. Make use of the net on the side as it is a great target when shooting from the sides of the field.
   • While players enjoy aiming for the top corners, more goals are scored in the low corners!
5. Shoot above or below the goalkeeper. Shooting sideways means that the goalkeeper must reach out to make a save. A goalkeeper can move easily from side to side, but it is more difficult to stretch up or down. Even the best keepers cannot always reach the corners of the goal.
   • Where to aim depends on the situation, but avoid shooting at an average height as much as possible.
   • Shooting low is also great when there are many defenders in front of you. This can also lead to goals by ricocheting or bouncing.
6. Kick the ball into the air when defenders are in front of you. If you can't get the ball past them, you can still shoot. Hit the ball just below the center. This lifts the ball more into the air, over the defenders or a goalkeeper running forward.

Tips

• A good way to adjust your technique is to film yourself shooting. Watch the movie and see what you would like to do differently.
• Practice shooting in many different locations on the field, especially in the attack area, to perfect your shooting technique.