5 ways to shoot at goal

These are five of my go to sessions when I want to coach shooting or to give my players a good workout using both feet to put the ball in the net… it’s also the thing they love to do at training better than anything.

1.Accuracy

Accuracy is more important than power. If your players are not getting shots on target, they will not score. Great fun for the players trying to knock the balls off cones – you may need a helper to gather balls with this one!

2. Long distance

This session gives players the confidence to shoot from outside the penalty area when the opportunity arises. Often young players will want to get closer to goal before they take a shot but that gives defenders time to get across and cover.

3. One touch/two touch

Sometimes players get a quick opportunity to score a goal when the ball is passed to them and a one touch shot can be the ideal way to catch a keeper off guard.

4. Use both feet

Even at the top level, strikers can often be seen wasting presentable chances because they lack the confidence to shoot with their weaker foot. If practised enough times your players will start to have more confidence on their weaker foot.

5. From a cross

This drill will teach your players to attack the ball when trying to connect with a cross into the area. Often a shot from the cross will come back off the keeper or a defender and players must be ready to score from the rebound.

Shoot from outside the box

in Attacking, Shooting

This session improves shooting technique and gives players confidence to shoot from outside the penalty area. It helps players to see an opportunity and take it with a shot from long range. Some players will be able to do it straight away but others will take time – put accuracy over power when they first try. MORE

Cross, rebound, score

in Attacking, Shooting

Scoring goals from crosses is a vital part of combination play in the final third. This session is all about scoring from crosses or rebounds MORE

Pre-season Training – one touch shot

in Shooting, Small Sided Games

Quick shooting and pressing by the opposition creates a fast, fun shooting game which focuses player’s minds on shooting and stopping shots. MORE

Two touch target

in Attacking, Shooting

Use this realistic shooting session to coach your players to receive a ball played to the edge of the penalty area and shoot with their second touch MORE

Coconut shy

in Passing, Shooting

A basic introduction for helping with weight and accuracy of passing. Can also be a good game for a cool down or to be used during a training session following a game. MORE

Deadly with both feet

in Ball Control and Footwork, Shooting

The second a striker gets a sniff of the goal, if they can use both feet it is easier to pull the trigger and fire home. This activity helps to develop these skills for use on match day MORE