Shots While Dribbling | Two-Touch Shots | One-Touch Shots

Why so many shots?

Shooting provides a great argument for multiple-theme practices, because there are so many shots to practice. The ball to be shot might be just sitting there, but it might also be rolling on the ground or flying through the air. The shot might come from any distance or angle, and either foot might be called upon. The amount of time the shooter has is another important variable.

Hundreds of different shots could arise in a match, and skill with one doesn’t guarantee skill with the others. But if you practice 14 shots regularly, your players will be fine. Multiple-theme practices let you cover three shots in one practice and three in the next. You can also practice a few shots in each prematch warmup. You’ll cover all the shots more frequently than if you devoted one or two practices solely to shooting.

The time available for the shooter provides a convenient way to categorize shots. The shooter might be dribbling prior to the shot. The shooter might have time for two touches, the second touch being the shot. Or the first touch itself might be the shot. Click on the links above to learn the shots in each category.

Shooting Setups

How you practice shooting will depend on what's available plus the experience and motivation of your players. Mature players can practice shooting as a drill, but when possible make shooting more fun. Set up teams, let them compete, and provide as many tries as possible in a short amount of time. Here are three ways.

Lines are never a plus, but they're unavoidable with shooting practice. Keep the lines short and keep them moving, and you'll be fine.

Shooting and Retrieving Teams. If only one goal is available, divide your players into two teams. While one team shoots, the other retrieves the shots that miss (see diagram). One retrieving player stays over with the coach and shooters, to help circulate soccer balls. The players on one team take three or four shots with each foot. After a successful shot, the team must announce its total. The teams then switch places, and the team with the most goals wins.

Shooting From Both Sides of the Goal. You don’t need nets to practice shooting. In fact, a goal with no net is ideal if there is open space behind it (see diagram). A goal created with cones or corner flags has the same effect. One team begins in front of the goal, the other behind. The players on one team take a shot, and then the players on the other team. The Keeper simply faces whichever team is shooting. When players have taken three or four shots with each foot, the team with the most goals wins—as you move on to the next shot.

Shooting on Back-to-Back Goals. Here’s an even better time saver. Place two goals with nets and Keepers back-to-back (see diagram). Two teams can then shoot at the same time, giving players twice as many tries. Ball retrieval is easy, because the shots that miss sail over to the other team. After three minutes, the team with the most goals wins.