The striker is a very important position in the game of football. If you want to be a striker, you have to have speed, good footwork, strong kicks and a smart way of thinking. Even if the strikers get very few chances in the game, you have to turn them into goals! To become a good striker, start training for this position. Next, learn how to read the game so you can adjust to the game.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Train Effectively as a Striker
Step 1. Learn how to kick quickly, but with maintained accuracy
The faster the shot is done, the more lethal your role will be. You have to practice two-touch shots. The initial touch will create space to swing your legs, both when avoiding defenders and when receiving the ball. The second touch is a shot on goal. If this two-touch shot works well, you can get the ball to the side of the defender, and shoot before they react.
If you're used to making quick shots, creating space, and kicking fast, continue to practice this while running, dribbling towards goal, making touches, and shooting
Step 2. Practice shooting the ball that is still flying towards the goal
Usually, this takes the form of a header towards goal or a "volley", which is a kick taken when the ball has not touched the ground. This is difficult, but very important. A good striker can direct a still-floating ball into the goal without having to stop the ball (which gives defenders time to react). You can train with a friend who is in charge of crossing or corner kicks. However, you should pay attention to the following things.
- Follow up the movement towards the goal. If you head the ball, you have to turn your shoulders towards the goal. When kicking, the indicator is the hips, which are deflected according to a shot that is accurately aimed at the goal.
- This skill will be useless if you just stand still. You should always move, jog, or catch the ball when it comes, even if it's just in practice. It is very rare for a football player to stand still in play when the ball approaches the penalty box.
Step 3. Focus on controlling the ball in the air using your entire body
You have to be good at controlling the ball in the air, that is, moving the ball that is floating in the air to the ground smoothly. This has to be practiced because a lot of the balls that go to the attackers come from long passes and crosses that float in the air. Finish the first touch with the ball about 30 cm in front of the body so that the next touch can be done easily, either by passing, kicking, or dribbling forward. Some types of exercises that can be done include:
- Juggling is a great method for practicing touch throughout your body, but it only works if you're practicing alone. See how high you can reach the ball and keep it under control.
- Do long passes with friends. Start with a distance of about 20 meters, then increase the distance gradually and slowly. As your skills improve, increase the speed between controlling and kicking the ball.
- Kick the ball towards the wall. Do this by shooting and crossing on a hard surface, then reacting quickly to the bounce.
Step 4. Practice facing defenders one-on-one
You have to be able to outwit him without getting help from your teammates. Once you have the ball, you should be able to dribble past defenders and score goals using a variety of "moves," such as the Maradona style, step-over (moving your foot over the ball without touching it), or scissor (scissors). The shoulder trick and step-over are good examples of dribbling moves. Not all strikers have to play a smooth and technical football like Messi. However, you have to find ways to get your defender to move closer, and not just stand still waiting for you to get past him.
- Invite a friend to accompany you to practice one-on-one. Draw a line of small squares and practice taking turns attacking and defending. Control of the ball over the opponent's last line means "goal" (in this exercise).
- You can't always beat a defender facing the goal. Sometimes you have to protect and control the ball with your back to the goal.
- You can keep moving on your own. Get ready to get into the box and keep dribbling, chopping and moving at full speed, staying in the box to practice control.
Step 5. Train both legs to become deadly goalscorers
Apart from the very famous Arjen Robben, there are some dangerous strikers who can only use one leg. The feeling of being comfortable with both right and left will expand your skills, as a good defender will make it difficult for you if you always use one side of the court. Every time you practice, do this with both feet, and spend more time strengthening your non-dominant passing and shooting skills. He won't be able to match his dominant foot, but you can get past defenders by moving in unexpected directions and providing mature passes with your non-dominant foot.
Method 2 of 3: Reading the Game Offensively
Step 1. Watch the ball shot at all times, and always pursue the desire to score
The goal of a great striker is placing the ball right on target. Even if there isn't a goal in the end, placing the ball right on target creates corners, deflections and wild balls that can result in goals and put pressure on defenders. Always think about creating the space needed to shoot at the opponent's goal, both by yourself and by a teammate.
Remember, all teammates can have a chance to shoot, not just you. The forwards will indeed get a lot of direct chances, and other players will create chances for the forwards, and sometimes take advantage of some conditions to score goals
Step 2. Run and approach open spaces to mess up your opponent's defenses
The most dangerous attackers are those who are constantly on the move. Even if you don't always get the ball, a good striker will know that your opponent will be on the defensive for 90 minutes. Opponents can make mistakes and open up space for you to score goals. When your team has the ball, run into open space.
- Always do a light jog, or jog with your big toe to jump past opposing defenders when you find an open space. They will go to great lengths to seal off the space when you try to get into it.
- Watch the attackers of a team. Choosing the right time to fill the space and switch positions with the team's attackers will confuse defenders.
Step 3. Estimate the right time to meet the cross so you can reach it at full speed
If you just stand still in the penalty box waiting for the ball to arrive, you will be easily handled by opposing defenders. Instead, estimate the time you're running to get to the incoming ball, and cut it off before it reaches a defender who will greet it with a header. Keep an eye on the ball and greet it appropriately so you can make headers, volleys and long-range shots.
- This can also be a good strategy for avoiding the offside trap, as you can easily switch from jogging to sprinting once the ball is passed. This is definitely better than running at full speed from a standing starting position.
- Curling runs are great for creating space and time. Instead of sprinting straight into the box, create a curved path when the ball comes off the wing, then cut straight while the ball is still flying. Turning allows you to get closer to the penalty area while still stealing opportunities to quickly change direction.
Step 4. Check the ball instead of moving away from it
Checking is running towards a teammate who has the ball, by opening up space and making the pass shorter. This is especially important if you are working with fellow attackers because the space you just left becomes open to a team's attacker if the opposing defender follows you. If you can't get the ball and the defenders are stuck, keep moving. When you get the ball, turn your body to face the goal. This makes the opponent's defense very depressed.
Always look back quickly when you are checking. If the opposing defender is caught off guard, you may have more time to work with the ball than you thought
Step 5. Challenge enemy defenders one-on-one if you have room to run
The attacker must not be selfish, but also must not be passive. You need to be able to run at defenders with the ball, make moves to outwit them, run fast with a good touch, or trick defenders into passing the ball at the last second. A good striker can force an opposing defender to react to him thereby creating space for his teammates. The best time to attack is when the opposing defender is moving, especially when they are moving backwards. Run towards them, and this will force them to make a decision.
- The wings are a great location to challenge opposing defenders. They often have little support, and changing possession can make it easier for your team to beat opponents from the sidelines.
- Don't play against defenders if you're near the halfway line, unless you're sure you can beat them. Substitution of possession in this area can be very dangerous.
- Even if you end up losing the ball, no defender wants to be under pressure throughout the game. They will start to mess up and make mistakes. Teams only need a difference of one goal to lose or win the match. And of course you want the winning goal.
Step 6. Follow all shots and crosses from teammates to score goals
This is especially important for young players because inexperienced defenders and goalkeepers are easy to make mistakes that can lead to goals. When you or a teammate shoot, run with the ball as it's aiming for the goal, and be prepared to kick a ball that bounces, swerves, or slips off an opposing player.
It is very difficult to clear the ball in your own defense area when a team is under attack. Make it more difficult for them, and you will be able to score goals easily in a season
Step 7. Return to the center area when your team is defending, so the opposing defender doesn't get too forward
Wait there to receive the ball from a friend's pass or wild ball. You're useless to a team that's defending or attacking if you just stand on your opponent's defenses and wait. Return to the center of the field to prevent opposing defenders from having possession of the ball and pass the ball to a friend easily without pressure. Most importantly, be prepared to check or sprint to launch a counterattack. If the ball is passed to you or cleared from your team's defence, your job is to maintain possession until your team builds an attack.
Method 3 of 3: Adjusting the Game Based on the Position of the Attacker
Step 1. Adjust the strategy and execute according to the way your team attacks
Not all attackers can play using the same style. The biggest variable is the number of attackers on the team as this can determine how you behave. If you are a lone striker, you have to stay in the opponent's defense area, to make room for your team. If your team has 3 attackers, you'll have to step back every now and then to help with the defence.
- Tall strikers, who are assigned to stay in the center of the field and open up space, are usually called center forward. He is the main target holding the ball and creating space for teammates to attack.
- Wing striker, or winger is actually a midfielder who is offensive in nature and is placed on the outside. They need to have great dribbling skills, with speed and excellent cross-breeding.
- Striker often placed under the center forward who is in charge of controlling the ball with his back to the opponent's goal. The goal is to pass the ball to the attacker who is in a dangerous position so that he becomes a striker who can hold and kick the ball quickly.
Step 2. Stay in a position that is level with the opposing defender
As a centre-forward, you have to make room for the rest of your team, so put yourself in your opponent's defense as long as it's not offside. When you get the ball, try to turn your body to face the goal (although this is not mandatory). All you have to do is hold the ball when a teammate is running for support. Your goal is to attract opposing defenders, forcing them to approach you so that there will be plenty of free space on the flanks.
If your team has 2 centre-forwards, try to position yourself with one forward and the other sitting in the center of the field. This will create space for both of you on both sides of the court, and can be a dangerous combination in the center of the court
Step 3. Control and direct the center of the court quickly and efficiently
As a striker, your job is to shoot. In either a 2 or 3 striker system, an attacker should shoot the ball at the goal whenever possible. The attacker must create enough space to shoot, which will punish the erratic and lazy defense of the opponent. You have to do it quickly, using one-touch passes, and a combination of one-touch and two-touch. You can also do the scissor feint, or shoot from a distance. Don't stand still near the ball, keep moving and always look for opportunities to shoot, by running fast for 10-20 meters in the opponent's defense to get opportunities to pass and make quick shots.
Opening a shot, even if it doesn't result in a goal, is still useful. When your opponent's defenses sense a shot from a distance, they'll put pressure on you so you don't shoot too often. This will often open up space behind them for crosses and breakthroughs
Step 4. Focus on providing quality crosses and dangerous diagonal runs if you are a winger
Attack the opponent's defenses ferociously, aiming at defenders and forcing them to make tackles that can result in corner kicks or throw-ins in the opponent's defence. Your goal is to get the ball closer to your opponent's finish line and then send it into the middle of the box, which is best when the defenders are running towards their own goal. In addition, pay attention to the field in the middle. If a centre-back seems lazy or forgets you, run diagonally and sharply towards goal to open up space for crosses, throughs and shots.
- As soon as your team takes control of the ball, run wide as far as possible. This makes the opponent's defense wide, and creates empty space for you and the rest of your teammates.
- Depending on the team formation, the wing forwards may be more used in defense than up front. Coordinate this with the coach and full-back.
Step 5. Watch professional attackers in action
Watch what they do when they don't have the ball. When watching a professional game, pay attention to the position of the attacker when he is not in possession of the ball. Notice how good they are when they're moving, which keeps the opposing defenders constantly watching and adjusting their strategy. If you watch more of the game, watch how 2 or 3 strikers work together, staying in position or swapping positions to outwit opposing defenders and create space.
- Watch the attackers on both teams, and look for differences between them when moving.
- What do attackers do in various game conditions? When a team has won, they tend to pile players at the back, while the losing team will push their attackers forward to score goals.
Tips
- If you don't practice, you won't be a good player. The only way to achieve success is to train hard.
- Never give up when the goalkeeper comes out to meet the ball. You never know, he could just make a mistake.
- The first touch is very important. So, make a nice touch.
- Don't stay in the field. Always let your teammates know where you are so they can pass the ball at you easily.
