The 9 Best Soccer Shooting Drills for Individual or Partner Training
What are the best soccer shooting drills? Shooting a soccer ball is one of the most important skills of the game, no matter what position you play, because the only way to win a soccer game is by scoring more goals than the opposing team, which is done by shooting the ball at the opponent’s goal.
The best way to start improving your shooting skills is by reading our guide on how to shoot a soccer ball with the right technique. Once you have the right technique down, it’s important to train shooting against a real goalkeeper through team training, real games, and pick-up games.
Playing against live opponents is going to best replicate the pressure you get in a real game and this will help improve your shooting skills the most. However, if you want to get extra training to improve your shooting even more, that’s when using the best soccer drills in this guide will come in handy.
In this article, I will share with you the best soccer shooting drills to become a better shooter.
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The Art of Soccer Shooting Drills
Soccer shooting drills are a crucial component in any player’s training regimen. The ability to score goals is by far one of the most important skills of the beautiful game and of the most exciting to watch.
An excellent shot requires players to commit a lot of time training and redefining their techniques. Only a few things can be as frustrating on the field as putting together a great chance to score but then missing what should have been an easy goal.
Situations like these show that even if you are able to create goal scoring opportunities, it is very important to be able to capitalize on them and put them away when it matters the most, not just create them.
This is where soccer shooting drills come in. Drills should be used as a way to sharpen your skill and should only take up a minority of your training. Most of your training, as mentioned before, should come through team training and playing against live opponents, which best replicates a game.
However, when you have extra time before or after training, or if you just want to get an individual training session, knowing what drills to do is very important. Shooting drills do not have to be complicated, but they do have to be effective and done at game speed to get the most out of them.
One important thing to mention about shooting drills is that the more training balls you have the more time you can spend training rather than on ball shagging. This is why it is important to have a lot of high quality soccer balls as well as a reliable soccer ball bag.
The following drills are drills that can be done individually or with a partner and it’s also important to work both feet equally. If you want to create your own training session for shooting, spend around 5-8 minutes with each of these drills and rest as much as you need, but be sure to challenge yourself.
Max Intent Dribbling to Shooting Drill
This drill focuses on dribbling with max intent, meaning game-speed, before taking a shot at goal, which will help improve dribbling and shooting skills under the pressure of an opponent.
Individual:
Start from various distances and from different angles—left, middle, and right—and dribble towards the goal at full speed. As you dribble towards the goal imagine there are defenders coming your way trying to take the ball and you are avoiding them with skill moves, and changing speed and direction quickly. As you approach the penalty area, focus on striking the ball with power and accuracy, aiming for the corners of the goal.
Partner:
If you have a partner for drill you can do a 1v1 scenario where one player dribbles toward the goal while the other defends. Similar to if you do this alone, make sure you go at game speed and the goal here is to beat the defender before taking a shot.
Throw ball in the air + control + shoot
This drill helps improve first-touch control and quick shooting, which are crucial in scoring goals when the ball is delivered unpredictably.
Individual:
Begin by tossing the ball in the air, controlling it with your chest, thigh, or foot, and then taking a quick shot. Focus on keeping the ball close to your body after the first touch and strike it with precision. With this drill you can start close to the goal and slowly move back, you can do the opposite, or you can go from left to right or right to left.
Partner:
One player throws the ball to the other player in the air, who must control it and then shoot. The partner that throws the ball can also add a reaction element by telling the other player where to shoot or where to take their first touch.
Throw ball in the air + control + dribble to shoot
This drill combines elements from the first two drills and helps players develop a smooth transition from receiving the ball to dribbling and shooting, simulating scenarios where a defender is closing in.
Individual:
This drill is very similar to the previous drill, but after controlling the ball, take a few dribbles at max intensity before shooting.
Partner:
Your partner throws the ball to you and after controlling it, dribble around a cone or imaginary defender and then take your shot. The partner that throws the ball can also add a reaction element by telling the other player where to shoot or where to take their first touch and they can even act as a defender afterwards.
1, 2 Shoot
This drill emphasizes quick decision-making and shooting technique. With this drill play with how far you are from the goal and take a good first touch that sets you up perfectly for your shot.
Individual:
Use a wall or rebounder to pass the ball to yourself. After receiving the return pass, take one touch to control and another to shoot. Focus on accuracy and power, aiming for the sweet spot of the goal.
Partner:
Pass the ball to your partner and then have your partner play a quick pass back to you. Control the ball with one touch and then shoot.
1, 2 Turn + shoot
This drill focuses on turning quickly, with your back towards goal, and striking with power and accuracy once you have made a successful turn.
Individual:
Pass the ball against a wall or rebounder, receive it, turn sharply, and then shoot. Practice different types of turns, such as the outside-of-foot turn or inside-of-foot turn, to improve your ability to create shooting opportunities.
Partner:
Your partner passes the ball to you, and you must perform a turn before shooting. This drill simulates real-game situations where you need to turn away from a defender before taking your shot, improving both your decision-making and finishing skills.
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Cross + Control + Finish
This drill focuses on your ability to receive long balls from the air, the ability to set yourself up properly, and of course your shooting.
Individual:
Set up a crossing situation, either by kicking the ball into the air or using a wall. Control the ball as it comes in, then take your shot. Focus on timing and the quality of your first touch to ensure an accurate shot at goal.
Partner:
One player crosses the ball from the wing while the other controls it and shoots. This drill is perfect for practicing how to finish from different angles and positions within the penalty area from crosses.
Rapid Fire Drill
This drill simulates high-pressure situations, helping you stay calm and composed in front of the goal.
Individual:
Place multiple balls around the penalty area. Quickly shoot one after the other, focusing on maintaining accuracy and power even as you get fatigued. Once you have shot all the balls, reset and repeat.
Partner:
Your partner sets up the balls or passes them to you quickly while you take rapid shots on goal. This variation helps improve your reaction time and shooting accuracy under continuous pressure.
Volleys
This drill sharpens your timing and accuracy of hitting volleys, balls that are in the air.
Individual:
Toss the ball into the air and practice striking it before it hits the ground. You can also start juggling and after a couple of juggles strike the ball towards the goal before it hits the ground. Aim for different areas of the goal to improve your ability to score volleys from various angles.
Partner:
Your partner serves the ball to you, either by throwing it or passing it in the air, and it’s your job to attempt a volley shot. This drill is excellent for practicing how to connect with the ball cleanly and score from mid-air deliveries.
Stationary shots
This drill is essential for improving your accuracy and shot power from set pieces.
Individual
Set up a ball at different spots around the penalty area and practice your free kicks. Focus on your plant foot positioning and striking the ball with the right part of your shooting foot to bend it around imaginary walls or into the top corner.
Partner:
Your partner can act as a goalkeeper or as a wall. Take turns practicing free kicks, focusing on technique, placement, and power. This drill is critical for developing consistency in scoring from dead-ball situations and this is perfect if you are already your team’s designated set-piece taker.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What equipment do you need to practice your shooting in soccer?
The only equipment you need to start improving your shooting for soccer is your feet, soccer balls, and a full size goal. Other equipment that can be helpful includes smaller pop-up goals, and a rebounder. You don’t even need cones, but having two cones can be helpful if you need to make an outline for goal. If you have a training partner that will help improve the quality of your drills and what you are able to practice.
What are the different techniques for shooting a soccer ball?
- With laces
- Inside of foot technique
- Curling shot technique
- Toe poke
- Knuckle shot
- Chip shot
How can I learn more about the game?
To learn more about soccer the most important thing is to join a team and play the game as much as possible. If possible, analyze high level games as much as you can and your own games as well by recording them with a soccer camera. Also read soccer books, listen to podcasts and interviews, watch soccer documentaries, as well as some movies, tv shows, and anime.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of shooting in soccer is important for any player looking to make an impact on the field. The drills outlined in this guide are designed to refine your technique, boost your confidence, and enhance your ability to score under various game-like conditions.
Remember, while these drills are helpful, they are most effective when combined with regular team practices and real-game experiences. By consistently incorporating these shooting drills into your training routine, you’ll develop the precision, power, and composure needed to convert opportunities into goals, making you a much better player.
