5 Tips For Improving Your Soccer Shot - US Sports Camps

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Soccer Coach's Corner

Soccer Tip

5 Tips For Improving Your Soccer Shot

1. Observe the goalkeeper's position

Shoot the ball close to the corner since the goalkeeper stands in the center of the goal. Shoot the ball either above or below the goalkeeper. Diving upwards or downwards is harder than diving straight across the goal for goalies. The top corner of the goal, or the “upper 90” is the ideal shot location.

1. Foot placement on the Ball

Paying attention to where you place your foot will improve your accuracy and the momentum of your kick. Positioning your foot correctly solves problems with your kick. For example, if you kick the middle of the ball but still kick it over the goal constantly, you are positioning your place foot behind the ball. Rather it is even with the ball. To position your place foot, push off your kicking foot then move your place foot forward to the correct position.

1. Keep your head down and your eyes on the ball when striking

Don’t look at the defenders or goal while kicking. Look at the ball the entire time. You will improve your accuracy and power. Where you look at the ball depends on what you want to accomplish. For most scenarios, target the middle of the soccer ball. Looking up while kicking is a hard habit to break. Every player likes looking at their kick. But breaking the habit is worth it. You won’t get to see as much of your kick, but you’ll see the ball going into the goal more often.

1. Contact the middle to the top half of the ball

Which part of your foot should contact the ball depends on the type of kick.

For instance, kick the ball with the inside of your foot to kick a pass on the ground and the sole of your foot to use a straight kick. Any flexibility in your foot will decrease power and accuracy. Lock your ankle so your foot becomes firm and straight. Master this and your kicking accuracy will improve.

1. Don’t forget to follow through

Focus on following through. It has a huge impact on your kick. Following through greatly increases power and accuracy. If you don’t follow through, you are essentially chipping rather than kicking the ball. To follow through, continue your kick after you have made contact with the ball. Follow through towards your target to improve accuracy. If you want the ball to go higher, your leg should go high after you kick the ball. If you want to drive a kick your leg should follow through at a medium height and you should step forward with your kicking leg rather than lifting it into the air. Always land on your kicking foot.

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