Fun Shooting Drills for Soccer Teams

Fun Shooting Drills for Soccer Teams
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Soccer players need to know how to finish with the ball. Knowing how to dribble through a pack of defenders is not enough. Once through, they need to finish and score. Scoring is a often a matter of confidence. Build up their soccer confidence by reinforcing their shooting skills. Success in practice can translate to a successful team.

Free Kick Drills

Free kick drills are a good place to start. Young soccer players naturally shoot directly at the goalie when taking free kicks. Show them how to aim for the corners of the goal.

Place the goalie or the coach in the goal box. Let each player take several free kicks on goal. Be sure to have players behind the goal to retrieve balls. This will keep the drill moving faster.

Watching free kick drills is a great way for the coach to get a feel for who to select to take these shots when given the opportunity in a real game.

Encourage them to choose between the top right or left corner of the goal box. Strong kickers can aim for the bottom corners, directly along the post.

Shooting Around the World

This shooting drill is played without a goalie. The idea is to get used to shooting and scoring from different angles of the field.

Set up 5 cones around the goal box in a semi circle. Start and end at the corners of the field, approximately 10 yards from the goal. Play this shooting game for soccer much like its basketball counterpart. One player starts at the first cone. If they shoot and miss the next player tries, while the first player goes to the back of the line. If they make the goal, then the player proceeds to the next cone and so on. Make it more difficult by requiring the shooters to use their weaker foot, or only having balls count that do not bounce their way into the goal.

Race to the Ball

Being the first one to get a loose ball is a key component to fast paced soccer games. Teach them to race to the ball, turn, and shoot with this shooting drill for soccer.

Separate into two teams. Have them form two lines on each side of the coach, who is standing at the half field line. The coach kicks the ball toward the goal and the first person in each line races to the ball. The first one to the ball shoots and attempts to score.

This can be played with or without a goalie since the aim of the drill is to practice speed, competitiveness, and proper shooting form when under pressure.

Kick the Cone

Th e aim of this drill is to be the first team to knock all of the other team’s cones down. Divide into two teams. Set 5 cones on the goal line. The teams must defend their cones while attempting to knock the others down. Encourage them to take many shots.

Creating small teams, such as 3 or 5 players gives more opportunity for each player to practice shooting in a game situation.

References

Advanced Soccer Drills; Colin Schmidt; Human Kinetics,January 13, 1997

Complete Book of Drills for Winning Soccer; James McGettigan, Parker Publishing Company; September 1980