Soccer Shot

PREPARATION PHASE

ACTION PHASE

FOLLOW THROUGH PHASE

For a still soccer shot, approach the soccer ball with speed and plant your non-kicking foot next to the ball. For me, I am left footed so my right foot is planted on the right side of the ball.

The next step is to lean back slightly so the ball can be lofted in the air, and bring your kicking foot through, foot pointed down, and strike t

he ball with your laces. Follow through with the kicking foot to ensure that the ball goes in the correct direction.

In the preperation phase you can see that I am starting out in the fundamental position. Approaching the ball, the arms bilaterally abduct out to almost 90 degrees. When the right foot plants, the knee is flexed slightly. The kicking foot then comes from an extended state and swings forward, contracting the quad concentrically and striking the ball. The kicking foot is in plantar flexion at the ankle. The right arm then crosses over in front of the body during the follow through.

SHOULDERS

Bilaterally abducted.

ELBOWS

Bilaterally extended out straight.

KNEES

Right knee is slightly flexed. Left knee starts out in extension behind the body, as it swings through it flexes, and then extends again in the follow through.

ANKLES

Left ankle is in plantar flexion.

DRILL

An effective drill to work on the strength of your shot is to simply practice it. Start out by passing back and forth long distance to a partner, using the same form. This will create a loft pass to your partner. Once comfortable with the form of kicking, move on to working on aim. Simply set the ball on the penalty line in the box, and work on hitting specific targets in the goal. The more you practice, the more accurate your shot will become, which is crucial in games when you need to shoot for were the goalie isn't. It would also be beneficial to do leg strength training, as well as working on your balance. Since you are on one foot technically through the shot, balance is crucial.