Average soccer players tend to focus more on power when they shoot the ball! On the other hand, top class players tend to focus on accuracy, and that is for a reason …
… In fact, the ability to shoot accurately is prized in soccer above almost everything else. Goals win matches, whilst a cliché, is also true!
This means that sometimes the weaker team could overcome stronger opposition just because they were able to take their chances (by focusing on accuracy) when the other team fails to do so.
So, How to improve soccer shooting accuracy?
Below are some practical ideas and tips as to how to improve striking accuracy in three different scenarios.
1. For Free kicks
There is no better sight in soccer than a sweetly struck free kick sailing into the net!
One reason why it is so enjoyable is because it so rarely happens. Instead free kicks either hit the wall or sail harmlessly over the bar.
There are ways though that players can improve their chances of mastering this difficult art.
In the first place, decide where you are going to place the ball. How far away from goal are you, which side is the wall, and where is the goalkeeper standing?
The next decision to make is the length of the run-up. The general rule of thumb is the further out you are, the longer the run-up. That means about five metres out for the longer free-kicks, and two or three when you are closer to goal.
Just before running up, try and shut everything else out and concentrate on what you intend to do with the ball. Watch every great free kick taker like David Beckham or Cristiano Ronaldo, and they will always take a second or two before running up to the ball.
Finally try and strike the ball through the centre and drive through it. This should help ensure as well as power.
2. Shooting a penalty
Although there is often a lot of pressure on penalty takers, the first thing to realise is that more than 75% of them in soccer are successful. This means that there is a high probability that you will score. And that is important, because the key to success with a penalty is as much to do with your mind, as your ability to shoot accurately.
However, like everything else, the more you practice penalties, the better you will become at them.
Set aside time after training just to practice them, against a goalkeeper if possible, otherwise focussing on finding the corner of the net.
The first thing to do is to establish a routine. Place the ball on the spot, decide where you are going to strike the penalty and with which foot, and then take a deep breath. Visualise the ball going into the net and then step back, four or five yards.
As you run towards the ball focus on it and not what the goalkeeper may be doing. It is important always to stick with a decision and not to change your mind mid-stride. Most penalties are missed or saved because the penalty taker has had a change of heart.
Remember:
- Aim for the bottom corner of the goal on either side. Balls which are directed towards the upper corner stand a good chance of being saved or mishit and will go wide.
- Also keep your head and weight over the ball when you shoot it and do not lean back. If you do so, there is a risk that the ball will sail over the bar.
- Strike the ball firmly – this means that even if the goalkeeper gets a hand to it, there is still a good chance that the ball will end up in the net.
- And, finally, however flash it may look on TV, do not attempt a fancy penalty like the Panenka. Leave that to the professionals. Even for them it is a high-risk kick, and, if you try it, you will most likely end up with egg on your face.
3. For Shooting while running with the ball
Shooting while running is something that should be practiced mainly by stikers! You can learn more about the role of the striker position in soccer …
Some find it difficult to both run and shoot with the ball because you are trying to master two different skills at the same time,
However, like everything else, practice makes perfect.
The first thing you need to do is develop spatial awareness!
In other words, many professional players shoot without seeming to look at the goal at all, or with barely a look up. This is because they know exactly where they are in relation to the goal, so they do not need to worry about their positioning. They also know that every time they look up, they lose time.
Instead they are keeping their eye on the ball and making sure that the ball is positioned either on their instep or that they kick the ball through the laces. This helps them achieve both accuracy and power.
Remember:
- One of the key tips when shooting whilst running is to maintain a consistent stride pattern throughout. Stretching for the ball or taking short steps will affect your balance and that will affect the outcome of the shot.
- Make sure that you address the ball correctly. This means placing your non-kicking foot next to the ball, bringing your kicking foot back as far as possible, with your ankle locked, and standing straight as you strike the ball.
- Last and not least follow through with the kick, because otherwise the ball might fall short or go off target.
Best Soccer Cleats for Shooting
Although there are a number of soccer cleats that help improve shooting ability and accuracy, one of the best on the market currently are the Adidas Predator (Check it Here on Amazon)
They feature a comfortable mesh-lined insole, a supportive sock-like textile upper, all of which ensures a flexible fit which wraps around the foot.
It is constructed of premium synthetic quality material that is durable, whilst is textured 2 tone upper helps provide accuracy when passing and shooting.
However, the main reason to buy this cleat is because its construction was inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Given that he has managed over 600 career goals with Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, as well as the Portuguese national side, the fact that he is prepared to endorse these cleats should be enough to convince anyone!
Does Shooting Power influence the accuracy?
For young players, it is important to focus initially on accuracy rather than power.
It Is a bit like driving a car – learn to master the controls first before trying to drive too fast.
Instead, learn the technique of striking the ball in the right way and in the right direction, and, as your timing and confidence increases, so will the power!
How does the ball type and weight impact the accuracy?
Going back to school, those who remember their physics lessons will recall Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion which states that kicking balls with different masses will affect both the accuracy and the speed.
That is why kicking a very light beach ball or soccer ball may make it go a long way, especially if the wind is behind you, but, at the same time, it becomes very difficult to control the direction in which it is heading.
By the same token, although kicking a much heavier ball means that you are likely to achieve more accuracy, the same speed will not be achieved.
The balls used in modern soccer tend to be much lighter than those used in the game fifty years ago and are designed to be both accurate and fast through the air.
By the way, this is my favourite soccer ball for shooting (Check it Here on Amazon)
How does your mindset and mentality influence your shooting abilities?
In soccer, the mental ability is at least as important as the physical ability, and that is never more so than with striking.
The best strikers are never afraid to miss, They have the ability to compartmentalise failure, forget about the three or four easy chances they have spurned in a match and still have the confidence to be the player that pops up with the last minute winner.
Nobody remembers how many easy goals Ian Wright missed in his career, or Jamie Vardy continues to fail to convert today. All they remember are the goals they actually scored.
In some cases, though, a miss has come to define a player. Few would remember the career of Ronny Rosenthal had not his failure to convert an open goal for Liverpool against Aston Villa in 1992 from three yards out not been consistently voted the worst miss in Premier League history.
Playing Positions known for being the most accurate …
Although midfielders are sometimes known as being more accurate shooters than forwards, this is actually a fallacy, and is based on a misreading of the facts.
Some midfielders may be more accurate statistically, but this is because they take fewer shots, and will often pass up on the more difficult shooting opportunities.
Forwards, by contrast, are encouraged to shoot more often by their managers, even if the angle is against them or their chances of scoring seem slight.
This is because they know that goalkeepers are prone to making a mistake, or the ball might get a deflection. They know that there is a myriad of opportunities which can lead to a goal.
A quick glance at the Premier League stats so far this season bears that out. Not only is the list of most accurate shooters dominated by forwards, but you have to go all the way down to 16th place and Kevin de Bruyne before you find a midfielder on the list.
Harry Kane of Spurs has had the most shots on target so far – 10 – followed by Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton with 9, and Michael Antonio of West Ham with 8.
Is imitating famous players a good idea?
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so it will never hurt your game if you try and copy a great player like Lionel Messi or Robert Lewandowski when it comes to shooting.
If you carefully watch their technique on video tapes, you can definitely pick up some tips that will help you.
However, I don’t want you to be a copy of those! Simply because those players have practiced Tens of Thousands of Hours to reach those levels and to develop this shooting style!
That’s why it is better for you to develop you own style.
Final Thoughts …
If you are a defender don’t feel that you don’t need to develop such a skill! In fact, modern soccer doesn’t adopt conventional positions …
… Each player regardless of his position might need to shoot the ball to score a goal at any given moment of the game!
And if you lack in accuracy, you will certainly lack in terms of goals.
So, take the time and develop this aspect and you should notice your ability to score more over time regardless of your position!
Lastly, for more, you definitely should have a look at these necessary soccer skills for adults … you will find them really helpful!