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Technical

Shooting Technique

Improve power, accuracy, and consistency in front of goal.

Shooting is a technical skill that can be coached and improved. This guide breaks down the mechanics of striking a ball cleanly - body position, foot placement, follow-through, and power generation. You'll learn different types of finishes (placement vs power, low vs high, near post vs far post), when to use each, and how to practice finishing under pressure.

Key Points

1Plant your standing foot next to the ball, pointing at your target
2Strike through the centre of the ball for power, across it for curl
3Keep your head down and over the ball to keep it low
4Follow through towards your target, not across your body
5Pick your spot before you shoot, don't just hit and hope
6Practice shooting with both feet from different angles

Training Drills

✓Shooting from edge of box - 10 shots with each foot
✓One-touch finishing from crosses and cut-backs
✓Shooting on the turn after receiving a pass
✓Power vs placement drill - alternate between corners and top bins
✓Weak foot shooting session - build confidence under no pressure first
✓Shooting after dribbling - combine skills like in a real match

Learn From the Pros

Erling Haaland - powerful, accurate, clinical finisherMohamed Salah - curls shots into far corner consistentlyHarry Kane - technique and placement over pure powerAlexia Putellas - variety of finishes, great decision-makingRobert Lewandowski - composed in front of goal, rarely misses target

Ask FootballGPT

“How do I shoot with more power?”

“Should I aim for corners or just hit the target?”

“Why do my shots always go over the bar?”

“How can I improve my finishing in front of goal?”

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I generate more power when shooting?

Power comes from your approach, not just your leg. Run at an angle to the ball, plant your standing foot firmly, and swing through the ball with your laces. Your upper body leans over the ball, and your follow-through goes towards the target. Core strength helps too.

Should I always aim for the corners?

Not always. Corners are harder to hit under pressure. Sometimes hitting the target with pace is better than missing the goal trying to be too precise. In 1v1s, low and hard to the near post often beats the keeper. Context matters.

Why do all my shots go high?

You're leaning back when you strike the ball. Your head needs to stay over the ball, and your standing foot needs to be level with or slightly ahead of the ball. If your body weight is behind the ball when you strike it, it flies over.

How many shots should I practice each week?

Minimum 50 shots per week if you want to see improvement. That sounds like a lot, but it's only 10 shots per training session across 5 days. Quality matters - make each shot match-realistic. Vary the angle, distance, and type of finish.

Expert Advisors

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Youth player development U12 and under

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