Scoring goals in the game of soccer requires patience, hard work and a bit of luck. Generally, it takes the right set of conditions to create a goal, and these conditions can be created intentionally. Find out how with these easy steps.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Honing Goal-Scoring Techniques in Training
Step 1. Learn to shoot with both feet
One of the most important skills to master to improve your goal-scoring ability is the flexibility to shoot with both feet. By learning to shoot with both feet, your chances of scoring a goal increase. You don't have to worry about getting your dominant foot ready to shoot – you can just kick the ball straight away.
- Train your non-dominant leg by using it to shoot instead of using your dominant foot. The only way to learn to shoot with both feet is to train both feet. It will feel uncomfortable at first and the technique is very poor. This was to be expected. Keep pushing yourself and use your non-dominant foot to shoot, dribble and do everything else.
- Juggle the ball using the weak foot by letting the ball bounce, then kick it up with the back of the weak foot. Alternately, touch the ball with the outside of the foot (outstep), then the back of the foot (instep), repeatedly until rhythm and speed are established. Practice stopping the ball with the weak foot, increasing the intensity as you increase. Bait with a weak foot, start with a pass to the wall, then find a partner to practice and pass to each other. Once you're able to do all these things and control the ball with your weaker foot, try shooting with your non-dominant foot.
- This skill requires practice and patience. You can't train your non-dominant leg in a short amount of time. It takes weeks of practice. Don't give up – hard practice will eventually pay off.
- When you are busy getting your dominant foot ready to shoot, your opponent can steal the ball. If you can kick with your non-dominant foot, your opponent doesn't have time to steal the ball.
Step 2. Learn to hit the ball into the goal with all your feet
As a goalscorer, you must be able to hit the ball into the goal with any foot and any part of the foot. As with the flexibility of shooting with both feet, so do the benefits of learning to shoot with the whole foot. Learning to use every part of both feet allows you to shoot in any condition.
To practice good technique with both feet, practice dribbling, passing, and shooting the ball with all six parts of the foot – inside, outside, heel, toe, back and sole. Take the time to work only a few parts of the leg in each training session
Step 3. Perfect your shooting technique
Since football is a game that is constantly moving and changing, you can't expect the same situations as when you practice. You have to be ready to face any conditions that occur on the field. Do this by practicing control, ball technique, accuracy and shooting direction. Complete a series of target shooting and execution techniques.
Step 4. Get in the habit of practicing under pressure
Make sure the training sessions are fierce and aggressive enough to prepare yourself for the situations that will be encountered in the match. You should practice in all situations to improve your technique, anticipation and adaptability.
Step 5. Do the exercise with a goalkeeper and defender
Scoring a goal into an unguarded goal is easy. You'll need to get used to aiming and shooting with others trying to block your shots. In addition to training with the goalkeeper, also train with the defenders. Practice sessions should teach you how to perfect your technique, accuracy and control when other players try to steal or block you.
Practice shooting with friends. Practice shooting with other people to improve your technique. Give criticism to each other and try to correct if there are shortcomings. Remember to practice all shooting techniques – you want to hone all kinds of skills to be the best
Step 6. Hone these skills gradually
Start by perfecting the technique. This could mean you are practicing alone with the help of a wall or a friend. You have to practice shooting at goal without a goalkeeper to get used to it. Add more difficult obstacles as you improve.
Step 7. Take the best shooting position
Just before shooting the ball, notice where the goalkeeper is. Keep the non-kicking foot next to the ball. Face your waist in the direction the ball is aiming for. Keep your eyes down and focus on the ball while shooting. Keep your knees and head above the ball. Make sure to make contact with the center or top half of the ball.
Part 2 of 2: Scoring in the Match
Step 1. Take advantage of goal opportunities
When you get a scoring opportunity, take it immediately; don't just stand by and analyze too much. When you hesitate and try to think of the best response to make, your opponent may even steal the ball. In a match, don't be busy managing the ball to get the best shot. If you get an opportunity, take advantage of it by only touching the ball once or twice. You have to execute it quickly.
- This takes practice and confidence. When practicing or just playing games, always make it a habit to execute goals with one quick move. If you train in relaxed conditions, busy setting the ball for the perfect shot, and don't worry about an aggressive opponent, you're not ready for a good team and a high-tempo match. Practice to be ready for tough matches.
- This is where flexibility in using both feet comes in handy and practicing all the techniques over time. With two "live" legs and a good collection of skills, you are ready to score goals quickly.
Step 2. Cultivate confidence and be aggressive
If you have a chance to shoot, shoot. If you think you can get past your opponent, do it. If you have the opportunity to receive a difficult pass, give it a try. Many goals failed to be created because of the attitude of doubt due to overanalyzing the next move. Be confident and execute immediately.
- Initially you may fail to score many goals because you are still learning to execute quickly and effectively. Remember, it takes accuracy and ball technique to score goals quickly. So, if you always fail to score, retrain your accuracy and ball technique, then try again.
- Your team should encourage players to score goals - and fail to score - when they have the chance. Even so, the team should also encourage to pass to teammates who are in an open position and work together to score goals. Being the one who scores the goals is important. But so are players who are willing to defend, help create chances and do other things in the game.
Step 3. Shoot wide and low
If you shoot high, the goalkeeper has a great chance of blocking the ball. Shooting wide to get the ball into the corner of the goal instead of at the goalkeeper, and keeping the ball low and close to the ground, will make it more difficult for the goalkeeper to pounce and catch the ball.
- The technique for shooting wide and low is the same as for passing. You can practice both of these skills at the same time. More importantly, when practicing shooting technique, try to shoot wide and low instead of shooting high towards the center. This will reduce the chances of the goalkeeper to block it.
- According to recent studies, more than 60% of the shots that result in a goal are made at the bottom of the goal, while less than 20% are made at the top of the goal. More than 65% of goals are scored by shots wide into the corner of the goal rather than straight into the middle.
Step 4. Remember, sometimes a little effort is better
Getting the ball into the goal doesn't always result from a powerful kick. Generally it will end in failure, either because it is not aimed in the right direction or the ball bounces over the goal. The key to scoring goals is accuracy, not strength.
When near the penalty box, do not kick with all your might. Instead, aim beyond the keeper's reach and shoot with more accuracy and less force. Use a hard kick when it is more than 4.5 meters outside the penalty box. Kicking with the side of the foot is better for accurate kicking, while the instep is better for kicking hard
Step 5. Keep moving
Never sit still and wait for the ball to come to you. Move back, forward, left, and right.
- Shadow the opposing player. Stand behind your opponent, not in front of them, when they are ready to kick the ball. Watch what they do with the ball and immediately move in front of the opponent to steal the ball or steal the ball when the opponent turns around.
- When the ball approaches, immediately get into position, planning where you are best positioned to move.
Step 6. Calculate the next move
Know your plan of action before receiving the ball. This saves more time and can be used as an advantage. The ball is not always where we expect or want it to be. But preparing mentally when you finally receive the ball can increase your chances of scoring goals.
- Knowing whether to shoot, where to shoot, whether to pass, or who to pass can be difficult. This can only be honed by experience and practice as your instincts become sharper. If you have a chance to score, take it. But remember, seeing a partner in an open position and passing the ball is equally important. Always plan ahead.
- Always one step ahead of the opponent. Think about where the ball will be kicked and position yourself there. This is a very good way to keep the ball and is very useful when near the opponent's goal. Often times, opponents don't think you can be in that position and aren't ready, letting you score before they have time to react.
Step 7. Watch the goalkeeper
Don't take your eyes off the goalkeeper, see if there are gaps that can be exploited. You can't score a goal if you don't know the position of the goalkeeper. Start paying attention to the goalkeeper as he approaches the goal.
Try to aim for both corners of the goal because most goalkeepers don't cover that area
Tips
- Be patient! Football matches are played for 90 minutes and sometimes only one goal is scored.
- Always on standby and ready. In football, goals are scored when players work together, either making an attack that surprises the opponent or outplays the opponent.
- Hard work. Until the referee blows the whistle for the break and the end of the game, play as much as you can. As with all things in life, it's not skill that counts, it's hard work.
- Don't let a teammate discourage you when you make a mistake, and don't let a teammate discourage you when he or she makes a mistake - everyone does. Some of these skills are acquired with practice and experience. Remember: you are 100% sure to fail to score if you never try.
- Be a team-oriented player. If you pass to the person who is more likely to score, he will probably pass when you have the chance to score.
- Try landing on the kicking foot if the goal distance is far as this can help add power to the ball.
- Learn how to get past opposing players!
