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Football Skill Essentials: How to Shoot a Football
Whether you’re new to football, or have been playing for a while and are looking to take your skills to the next level, the hundreds of different techniques required to reach pro status can be intimidating. From strong communication among teammates, to being constantly aware of the opponents around you, there is certainly a lot to consider each time you hit the pitch. Even with so many other things to learn, however, one of the most important elements of your game is to learn how to shoot a football.
Although football shooting technique might seem like an obvious skill to brush up on, more often than not, players can make the mistake of not spending enough time practising this. A skill which requires regular drilling and refining to stay sharp, players who only dedicate a small amount of time on shooting are more likely to miss during matches, which can potentially compromise their team's chances of winning a game.
More complex than it first appears, perfecting that winning kick requires a careful balance of positioning, timing, awareness and more. With so many elements to familiarise yourself with, it's no wonder coaches put so much emphasis on practising that all-important kick over and over again. To help you get to grips with the essentials of how to shoot a football, we’ve compiled a list of expert tips and put together a step-by-step guide to help you perfect the process behind great football shooting technique.
How do you shoot a football step by step?
Knowing exactly how to perform an effective football shooting technique step-by-step, in action, is a vital skill to have for any dedicated player. However, don’t panic, as this takes practice, and we will walk you through each and every step involved with this. From how best to prepare for the shot, to how you should position your legs and ankles when it comes to that all-important kick, read our advice and find out how to expand your skills and become a football shooting pro.
1. Make sure there’s a suitable space around you
Before you take your shot, to give yourself the best chance at success, ensure there’s enough space around you. In most games, when you’re passed the ball, you’ll be dribbling this before kicking. This means that, although you might not be able to do a full run up, unless you get a free kick, you should push the ball out in front of you and leave enough space to take a few steps before you kick the ball, so you can put as much power and force into this as possible, providing a good opportunity to score.
However, it’s important to only attempt to shoot the ball when an opportunity arises. If the opposing defenders get too close and the goal is out of sight, don’t risk your chances. Instead, pass to a teammate and try again later.
2. Lean forward when you go to kick
Leaning forward and over the ball when you’re shooting in football will deliver more power to the shot and will keep the ball as low as possible when kicked, ensuring it doesn’t go so high that it ends up flying over the goal instead of into the net.
3. Make sure your leg is fully extended
Ensuring that you extend your leg as much as possible during the shot will provide the maximum amount of power and accuracy needed to deliver a winning kick.
4. Lock your ankle
Reduce your risk of injury when you shoot by locking the ankle you will kick the ball with in place rather than keeping it loose, which will also help to maximise the force and accuracy of the shot. After all, adding as much strength as you can is crucial for taking a fast, unstoppable shot.
5. Kick the centre of the ball
Aiming for the centre of the ball when performing your football shooting technique means there’s much less risk of missing and your foot flying completely past the ball. If you’re still struggling to hit the centre, it’s important to make sure you kick the ball using the top of your foot, which, in football, is known as your laces, as this will transfer all the power from your foot to the ball.
6. Focus on the ball while you’re shooting
Although this may seem like an obvious one, more often than not, players can get distracted by looking up at opponents, or trying to see where the goalkeeper is standing, while they are taking the shot. However, this can often compromise their chance of success, as it risks diverting their attention from the ball. Instead of allowing yourself to be distracted, keep all of your attention focussed on the ball before, during, and after the kick. Only once you have kicked the ball should you look up.
7. Follow through with your shooting leg
Once kicked, it’s important that you continue to follow this through with your shooting leg, even after your foot has ceased contact with the ball. You should also ensure that your leg is still pointed in the direction you kicked the ball in, which will make sure the shot is as streamlined as possible, while transferring a large amount of force to the ball to increase your chance of success.
How to shoot a football: general tips
So, you now know how to shoot a football step by step, have a suitable area to practice in, along with goal posts and a ball, but what do you do next? Before you get started, we recommend also making a note of all the football shooting tips listed below, as well as any others you’ve picked up during your own coaching training sessions that you feel might help to advance your skills. Then, whether it’s the first thing you do in the morning, or a final task in the evening, you should make it a standard practice to follow these at any given opportunity. With enough dedication and practice, you should begin to notice a gradual improvement in your football shooting skills.
Observe professional players
As a lover of football, it’s likely that you will already be watching plenty of matches. Whether it be on the TV or in person, however you choose to watch it, you’ll likely be getting your fair share of football action. But how much attention are you paying to the football shooting technique of the players?
Focussing on the technique that your favourite player uses to score a winning goal can help you improve your own football shooting skills. It’s crucial that you closely observe every action they perform when shooting, including their position, stance, movements and, most importantly, how they kick the ball. Imitating the approach a top Premier League player uses to strike can not only help you score, but it will also allow you to gradually become more confident in developing your own, personal style of shooting in football.
Practice furthering your football shooting skills
If you’re lucky enough to have found a football shooting technique that works for you, that’s a great skill to have in your arsenal, but you shouldn’t stop there. Just because you feel that you’ve found the perfect scoring position, it’s important not to become too comfortable using this approach. When playing any sport, the only way to reach new heights is to challenge yourself by stepping outside of your comfort zone. As such, it’s important to experiment with other techniques when shooting in football. However, with the high stakes of a football match and your teammates relying on you, this is best done in a training setting.
Power is everything in football shooting
Shooting the football with as much power as you can is the key to scoring that winning kick. A powerful kick is a goalkeeper's worst enemy, so it’s important that you shoot the ball using all your strength. But, while power is important, it shouldn’t be prioritised over accuracy, as these are both equally important skills to brush up on. Going hand-in-hand, focussing on improving your accuracy, and then building power and strength, is the best way to approach a winning shot.
Make sure your kit is comfortable
Our final football shooting tip is to consider the clothes which you wear to train in. The chance of nailing your football shooting technique is going to be significantly reduced if the kit you’re wearing is uncomfortable. After all, any player would find it difficult to perform their best in gear which is either itchy, poorly ventilated, or the wrong size.
Rather than letting your performance suffer, we recommend taking the time to look for a reliable kit that will allow you to stay comfortable and focussed while practising our football shooting tips. But, with the new season upon us, there seems to be an endless amount of football gear on the market, which is why we’ve narrowed it down to some core essentials suitable for adults and juniors.
An exciting, vibrant choice for juniors which is also available in adult sizes, our stripe football jersey can be bought in a wide variety of colours, and can be customised to include the name of your team. Designed using a sweat-wicking material to prevent irritation and rubbing as a result of sweating, the jersey offers a range of practical features to allow you to focus on that winning kick. Feel like a Premier League player with the professional fit of this kit piece, with breathable panels for increased ventilation to ensure you’ll cool off quickly during matches.
If you’re looking for a simpler kit piece, the focus classic jersey for men and juniors, as well as the women’s classic jersey, provides a minimal and practical solution. Featuring professional shaping to prevent you from becoming distracted by poor-fitting clothing, as well as a quick-drying fabric that prevents a build up of sweat, which can otherwise cause overheating, this performance-enhancing jersey contains all the essentials that you need to help you stay focussed and thrive during a game. Never compromising style for practicality and sure to impress your teammates, this sleek football jersey is finished with contrasting Avec branding.
If you’re searching for some shorts to pair with your brand new jersey, look no further than the men’s and junior’s focus classic shorts and the women’s classic shorts. Designed to allow you to move freely and efficiently when you go in for that kick, these lightweight and durable shorts provide a premium quality fit. Available in a versatile range of colours, these can be coordinated with other signature Avec Sport pieces to complete your gear, including our jerseys and socks.
Shooting techniques in football with Avec Sport
From making sure that you frequently practise your football shooting technique and closely observe professional players, to ensuring you have followed all the steps required when putting that winning kick into action, there is a lot to take on board when it comes to successfully shooting in football. However, from reading this blog, we hope you have learned a number of useful tips and skills that you’re now able to use while practising.
To help take your practice further, don’t forget to take a look at our full juniors, men’s and women’s teamwear collections at Avec Sport, and personalise your kits with your team name using our convenient customisation option.