One-Touch Shots

Golden Roller | One Hopper | Give-and-Go |Volley | PK Game

In the match, a shot must often be taken with the first touch, before defenders close in and the Keeper is in position. The ball to be shot might be rolling, bouncing, or flying through the air. These five shots recreate the different flight patterns. Balls must be served to the shooters.

A critical one-touch shot, the direct free kick, isn't discussed. Players who practice mighty moes and chipperoos will usually become effective with free kicks as well. But feel free to invent your own Free Kick Game!

The Golden Roller Shot

A golden roller is the one-touch shot of a rolling ball. The server rolls or kicks the ball across, and the shooter moves forward and shoots. The serves can be slow or fast, and they can roll smoothly or bounce. As always, the shooters alternate feet. Serves can also come from the other side, time permitting.

The One-Hopper Shot

With the one-hopper shot, the server tosses the ball about ten feet into the air, so that it takes a high bounce. The shooter then takes a right-footed shot before the ball bounces again. The second time around, players take a left-footed shot, the throws coming from the same location. The server can also toss balls from the other side.

One-hopper shots tend to sail high over the goal at first. Encourage your players to contact the upper half of the ball, or to delay contact until the ball is close to the ground—two ways to keep the shots down.

The Give-and-Go Shot

The give-and-go shot uses a simple combination before the shot. The server stands about fifteen paces from the goal, facing a short line of shooters. The first shooter passes to the server, who sends a one-touch pass to the shooter’s right. The shooter breaks forward, and shoots with the first touch. The next time through, players break to the left for the left-footed version.

The Volley

A volley is the one-touch shot of a ball in flight. The shooters face the server, who tosses balls from a few steps away. The first shooter shoots with the right foot, without letting the ball bounce. Each shooter takes three shots in a row to save time. Server and shooters then switch sides for the left-footed version.
Volleys can take different trajectories as they leave the shooter’s foot. They can be driven on a line, bounced down into the ground, or lofted over the Keeper’s head. When time permits, cover all these variations.

The Penalty Kick Game

A penalty kick is a one-touch shot of a stationary ball. The Penalty Kick Game is a competitive way to practice this shot. Up to six players compete on the same goal, with one beginning as the Keeper. The penalty kick spot can be marked with two cones, twelve yards from the goal. The first shooter shoots, as the others wait their turn. If the shot is made, the shooter announces the total. If the shot is missed, the shooter changes places with the Keeper. The first player to six is the winner.