Soccer coaches teach their player many things about shooting the ball, but many coaches forget one very important tool. Finishing is one of the most important things for a soccer player. Many players don’t know how, or never learned to finish shots. In soccer finishing or shot requires accuracy, not power. There are three important tips that can help soccer players shoot powerful shots.

One of the key elements of finishing is accuracy. Power is great to have, but it should be a second priority when shooting. Players should shoot with an instep, but it’s more important for coaches to emphasize accuracy by “passing” the ball into the goal. Power can be trained later after the player understands a slow roller into the goal is better than a rocket shot not on frame. The first thing a player should do is pass with a specified foot, and reduces the number of touches to control the ball before making a pass. Progressively players should move to an instep pass, at some point they should envision that each line is a goal post; the straight-ahead passes are to the near post; the angled passes are to the far post. Players should then pass to the inside foot of the receiving player (i.e., inside the post). The inside foot should be used to pass. This is just the warm-up.

To improve finishing techniques you must perform a drill. There should be three groups labeled A, B, C, and D.  The drill should be structured exactly like the warm-up, except with a goal between groups A and C.  When A passes to B, B finishes with an angled pass to the far post; when C passes to D, D finishes with an angled pass to there far post. Players should switch up so that players in group A pass across to D who finishes (to the near post) with a straight on pass; C passes across to D who finishes with a straight on pass. Players should use instep passes, if accuracy is maintained. In this drill the coach should stress accuracy constantly. The position of the player’s body and support foot should be toward the finishing point. Players should look up to the side of the goal they’re finishing, and look at the ball point when the shot is taken.   

The second tip is shooting the ball at different distances. Using a dozen balls scatter them around the field. Players should start with the closet ball, kick it at the goal and moving forward shoot the balls as they get closer. You keep going until the balls are in the goal or the other side of the cone. Players should be timed, which helps them measure their own progression. Using this technique with your team gives players a better sense of working together.   

The follow through is a very important part of all players’ shots. It may make the difference of five to 25 miles per hour on a player’s shot. When shooting the ball with your right foot you want to have your left foot firmly planted next to the ball. Your right leg should be pulled back with your toes curled.  As you swing through the ball your knee should be over it at the point of impact, then your leg should continue to follow through the swinging motion. After contact, you should land on your right foot. The force of your motion should throw you off of your planted left foot and onto your swinging right foot. It should work vice versa also. Plant the right, pull back the left, toes curled, knee over the ball at impact, follow through and land on your left kicking leg.

These three tips should help coaches and players with finishing techniques. Players should understand that power is needed, but it’s not the most important element of your shot. The drills, and passing techniques should help players become better shooters all around. Coaches should always stress accuracy as a finishing element, and players should always pay attention to the ball when shooting. It’s better to have a good finishing technique than to have a powerful shot. More games will be won with more accurate shooters.

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