How to Shoot a Soccer Ball: Tips to Improve the Art of Shooting
Knowing how to shoot a soccer ball is one of the most important skills of the game because it is the primary way to score goals and win matches. A well-executed shot requires accuracy, power, timing, decision making, and the ability to strike the ball with any part of the foot.
No matter what position you play, improving your shooting skills is beneficial and will help you become a better player because it translates to other skills as well such as passing, crossing, and kicking the ball. In this blog, I will share with you the best tips for how to shoot a soccer ball properly.
Learning How to Shoot a Soccer Ball
If you’re reading this post then you have probably also watched a ton of videos explaining the technique for how to shoot a soccer ball. All of these videos go through very similar steps such as having the plant foot point towards where you want the ball to go, hitting the ball with the laces, following through, and landing with the kicking foot.
All of these things are very important, and things I will also go over, however during a real game you will never find yourself in a situation where you can go through a checklist to make sure you have the right kicking technique. In a real game you will get the ball in weird angles, you will have defenders and goalkeepers trying to stop you from scoring, and you will have to adapt and kick the ball with whatever part of the foot you can.
This is why the key to shooting is not memorizing a fixed technique, but instead it’s about training your instinct so that you can adapt and shoot the ball in any way.
The Science of Shooting a Soccer Ball
Before we get into the tips for how to shoot a soccer ball, it is important to understand some of the science behind shooting a soccer ball. A lot of players, specially youth players, think that shooting is all about having strong legs and although that is important, shooting is more about coordination and something called “The Law of Conservation of Energy.”
When we kick a soccer ball the energy in our body needs to be transferred into the ball and this requires full body coordination, not just the legs. This all relates back to the topic of fascia and biotensegrity in which we create strong kinetic linking through the body like this video here.
Basically the more coordinated you are and the more you can control your body, the easier it is to transfer your energy into the ball once you hit it. Then we also have to talk about “rotational energy.”
The body moves in spirals and everything you do on the field also happens in spirals, such as dribbling or kicking the ball. When we kick the ball, our legs have to swing around the hip joint and again this involves a full body movement from the feet to the glutes to the core and upper body.
Now that you have a better understanding of the science behind shooting a soccer ball, let’s go over some tips.
Tips for How to Shoot a Soccer Ball
Regain Full Foot Function and Become Fascia-Driven
The first step for learning how to kick a soccer ball involves regaining full foot function, and learning how to keep the ankle locked while applying fascial tension to both feet, the shooting foot and the planting foot.
Fascia, the body’s connective tissue, is responsible for most of your proprioception, body awareness, and interoception, awareness of what is happening inside your body, which is why it is important to learn how to apply fascial tension to your body before performing athletic movements like shooting or running.
The Significance of Body Positioning
Your body’s alignment and where your feet and hips are pointing when you strike the ball play a huge role in where the soccer ball will go. Having the right body position means you create the right angle to line up your shot, you are in an athletic position, on the balls of your feet, knees slightly bent, and you are leaning over the ball.
If you are too far from the ball when you swing you will have to reach for the ball and not be able to get as much power.
Plant foot ahead
When you shoot a soccer ball you have to be aware of both feet, right and left foot, no matter which one is your dominant foot. As you are approaching the ball from a slight angle the plant foot should be placed pretty close to the ball with the inside of your foot facing the ball and your toes pointed in the direction you want the ball to go too.
Follow-Through
The follow through of your foot determines how far and how strong the ball will go. Similar to how a golf swinger follows through with their swing, soccer players need to follow through with their feet to get more body momentum which will lead to more power.
Spend time training barefoot
Training your shooting technique barefoot before you practice with cleats will give your body a lot of sensory feedback. Training barefoot also give you a raw connection with the ground which can improve your body awareness and body control, leading to better shots with the ball.
Common Mistakes to Avoid while Shooting a Soccer Ball
Not having a locked ankle
A locked and strong ankle will lead to a strong kick the same way a wobbly ankle will lead to a wobbly kick, which is why it is important to learn how to apply fascial tension to your foot.
Improper Follow-Through
Not following through is another mistake that players can make, especially younger players and beginners. To fix these issues, first make sure your ankle is locked, and then make sure you extend your leg forward towards the target. Also an important part of the follow through is to land on your shooting.
Improper body alignment
Inaccurate body alignment is also another one of the most common mistakes when kicking a soccer ball. To fix your body alignment make sure your planting foot and your hips are pointing in the direction you want the ball to go.
Trying to remember a certain technique
Trying to remember a certain technique while shooting can slow you down and make your movements less natural. In a game, there’s rarely time to think step-by-step about technique, which is why overthinking can hinder your performance. Instead, focus on practicing your shooting frequently to develop muscle memory and instinctive shooting.
Different Shooting Techniques
When it comes to shooting a soccer ball there are different types of techniques including
Laces shot (can also be known as the driven shot)
Most common type of shot that requires hitting the ball with the laces to get power behind it and to drive it forwards without getting to high in the air.
Placed shot
A placed shot is one that focuses more on accuracy and placement rather than power.
Chip Shots
A chip shot is a term that refers to the strategic move where players loft the ball high into the air over the goalkeeper. This technique requires hitting the ball underneath, so that it can go in the air, and not having a huge follow through, since this technique is not really about power.
Volley Shots
Hitting the ball while it’s in the air without it bouncing first
Half-volley shots
Hitting the ball in the air after it has bounced
Curving the ball
Another common way to shoot a soccer ball involves curving the ball, or bending it. This shot is also more about technique and you can watch this video to learn how to curve a soccer ball.
Summary
To summarize, knowing how to shoot a soccer ball is one of the most important skills for all players to master, no matter the level and position. In this blog, I covered everything you need to know about how to shoot a soccer ball, from important tips and techniques as well as common mistakes to avoid.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I begin improving my soccer skills right now?
To begin improving your soccer skills right now, check out our post on the best soccer training drills. If you are looking to accelerate your progress, contact us or sign an interest form for our private training program.
How can I improve my soccer shooting technique?
The best way to improve your shooting in soccer is by going outside and practicing as much as you can. From team trainings, to other variations of the game such as pickup games, futsal, and indoor soccer, to individual drills performed at maximum intensity.
