No matter how hard a team works, if they can't shoot straight, that work will go to waste. Shooting produces about three-quarters of all goals, and the more practiced a team is, the better they will become at scoring.
Shooting can be performed from all distances using a varity of techniques. Power shooting from outside the box - even from your territory - is done using instep and a big follow-through. This can produce some of the most spectacular goals.
However, a simple sidefoot pass into the net can be just as effective for scoring a goal and no less valuable to the result. A shot can be volleyed --- when the ball is in the air, half - volleyed --- when it is on the bounce, curled with the inside or outside of the foot, and, perhaps best of all, chipped over the despairing goalkeeper.
There is a choice when you are about to take a shot,between power and accuracy. If a shot is powerful and on target, it has good chance of beating the goalkeeper. But if a shot is accurate it doesn't need much power to get past the keeper. It is important to practice both types of shot in order to have variety in your play.
Another impotant aspect of shooting is the ability to take good penalties ( again, choosing betwen accuracy and power ), particularly in the modern game when so many matches are decided, after extra time, on penalties, and when referees are more likely to point to the spot because of law changes favoring attackers.
SHOOTING
There are many different ways of shooting for the goal, incorporating skills that have alredy been worked on. For example, you can sidefoot the ball into the net, strike the ball with your instep,volley it, or drive it. All of these skills will be looked at in detail, but remember that when you are shooting you must always keep your head down over the ball as you strike it. This will keep the ball down, where as if you lean back, the ball is likely to fly in to the air over the crossbar. The most important thing of all is to get your shot on target. Even if the goalkeeper saves it, you may win a corner or the ball may rebound to a teammate (or you) to provide another scoring opportunity.
Sidefoot Shooting
The skills in sidefoot shooting are essentislly identical to those practiced in side foot passing. The only real difference is that you can as much power as you can generate because you don't have to worry about receiving teammate having to control it. Also, you may be in situation where you can disguise the direction of your shot by positioning to shoot in one direction, than at the last moment altering your body, leg, and foot positions and sidefooting the ball the other way. Initially, however, just concentrate on making good contact with the ball and hitting the target.
Instep
Use the top surface area of your shoe just before the laces begin. Used to strike the ball with power.
Hip - Swing Volley
This is usedwhen you have to connect with the ball a little higher ( up to 1 yard off the ground ). Again, put your weight on the ball of your nonkicking foot, but this time angle your foot toward the ball ( e.g. , if the ball is coming from the right, point your toes to the right ). Turn your body so that your left shoulder ( if you are right-footed ) is in line with your foot. Watch the ball and as it approches swing your foot in the air, twisting your sholder and hips to the left and swiveling on the ball of your foot. This will allow your kicking foot to reach higher off the ground. Connect with the ball with your instep-the laced part of your shoe.
The Chop Chip
Place your nonkicking foot next to the ball as if you were about to sidefoot or drive it, but stand slightly further forward so that you are almost standing over the ball. Push your kicking foot downward in a short,sharp movement into the space betwen the ball and the ground, catching the edge of the ball on the way to create backspin. The ball should "chip" into the air. The spin will make it harder for the goalkeeper to make a save.
Penalty - Taking
Scoring a penalty in a match situation is as much about confidence, nerve, and concentration as it is about technique. However, there are several ways to strike a ball. Some players drive it at the target as powerfully as they can, relying on its speed to beat keeper. Others sidefoot or curve the ball with the inside of their foot into the corners, knowing that if they are accurate the keeper can't reach the ball, even if he dives the right way. Another option, if you can see that the goalkeeper is about to dive to one side or the other, is to blast the ball straight toward the center of the goal.
* Strike with shoelaces.
* Strike through center of ball.
* Swing leg and follow through.
* Keep relaxed except keep foot locked.
* Accuracy before power.
* Keep knee and head over ball.
* Place standing foot alongside ball, not in front or behind.
* Aim for bottom corners of goal.
* Follow after shooting.
* Use foot closest to the ball. I.E. left or right foot.