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Finishing & Shooting

Soccer (Individual Skills) / Popular

Strike the ball cleanly to finish chances on goal.

What coaches agree on

  • Where your foot meets the ball sets its flight: strike through the middle for a straight, driven shot, and across the side of the ball to make it curl.
  • Lock your ankle and keep your toes pointed down so the striking foot stays rigid at contact — that firm surface is what makes the ball come off cleanly.
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  • Plant your non-kicking foot beside the ball, about six inches away, with the toes pointing where you want the ball to go — the shot follows that foot.

Common mistakes

  • Trying to smash the ball as hard as you can instead of placing it, which trades away the accuracy that actually beats the keeper.
  • Taking a set-up touch that leaves the ball stuck under your feet, so there is no room to swing into the strike.
  • Leaning back as you strike, which lifts the ball over the bar and drains the power out of the shot.