Soccer Playing Tip: How to Score More Goals
Are you an attacker who’s struggling to put the ball in the back of the net? Do you feel like you are letting your team down because you just can’t seem to finish when you have your chances? Do you simply wish to score more goals or not squander your opportunity with the ball in front of net when it comes? If the answer to any of these questions are, “yes,” then I’m going to let you in on a secret that is going to dramatically increase your chances of scoring a goal and dramatically reduce your chances of missing in front of net.
ALWAYS FINISH TO THE FAR POCKET, ON THE GROUND, WITH THE INSIDE OF YOUR FOOT
That’s it.
Now when I say finishing, I mean any chance you have inside the 18-yard box. As we creep outside the 18-yard box, we start shooting rather than finishing and our form changes.
Habitually finishing to the far pocket, on the ground, with the inside of your foot does a couple of things. First and foremost, it takes the decision making out of the finish, reducing the risk, anxiety, or panic that you may feel in front of net; you do not even have to think about where you are going to put the ball, because you know you are aiming for the far pocket. Next, it’s where you have the greatest likelihood of having success. Goalkeepers are taught to cover their front post, meaning they leave a pretty large hole towards the back pocket. You may not score every time, but it’s where your odds are highest to do so, and the goalkeepers odds are the lowest to save it. Lastly, keeping the ball on the ground, and using the inside of your foot reducing the likelihood of missing the net.
You may not score every time, but your chances go up dramatically if you follow this principle.
To see for yourself, take a peek at a few of my guys goals from this season and notice where they’re aiming and how they’re finishing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_azildwla7Q
If you want help developing skills like this that will take your game to the next level, we have a few spots left in our summer soccer academies. Our academies are the perfect complement to your school training as we help you prepare for your fall season, stand out at practice, and contribute on gameday.
