Lowering the shot

[BULLDOG]

Have an all around tough reliable vocal player that just cannot get her finish in net. Powerfull shot, good range but always over net. Have tried foot placement, approach,speed and still always high. Plays mid and strike mainly but can handle any position heads up. High school player that has captain potential . Last match 7 good shots - nil goals -4 assists. What to do??

[tony75]

Work on technique, and the accuracy will come. Look at where he's hitting the ball and where his standing foot is to see where the shots are failing. Kept him to hit middle of ball, visualise where he wants the ball to go, and practice alot.

[fingersweaver]

I agree with Tony, it's all about technique. The problem you might have is that if the player is High School as you mention then old habits die hard. So be prepared, it may not be corrected overnight.
That said, it's certainly possible to change a players technique. In order to keep the ball low it must be struck in the middle or slightly above centre. As Tony mentions - keep an eye on the players standing foot. Plant it it to the side of the ball and pointing at the target. Another way to keep the ball low is to ask the player to concentrate on keeping their knee over the ball.
Good luck,
Fingers
miltontornados.co.uk

[Dazza]

Originally Posted by BULLDOG

Have an all around tough reliable vocal player that just cannot get her finish in net. Powerfull shot, good range but always over net. Have tried foot placement, approach,speed and still always high. Plays mid and strike mainly but can handle any position heads up. High school player that has captain potential . Last match 7 good shots - nil goals -4 assists. What to do??

Hi Bulldog

They're right, you can change the technique. Also, make sure she leans over the ball when she's shooting.

Cheers Dazza

[BULLDOG]

Thank you all--going to video to check body and placement. Sounds crazy, but am also going to place tape marks low-middle-high on ball to see if player can get the feel of ball on foot. Anythings possible!

[Botty]

I had a similar problem with one of my strikers - always going for the "Big Finish". Working on technique is the ultimate answer and will need a lot of patient observation, quality one-to-one coaching and encouraging words to get results, especially with older kids.

In the meantime for more instant results place an emphasis on "passing" the ball to the corners of the net. This will at least alleviate the immediate problem of balls blazing over the bar and in my opinion is a much more effective finishing technique anyway.

[Jerzy]

Originally Posted by Botty

I had a similar problem with one of my strikers - always going for the "Big Finish". Working on technique is the ultimate answer and will need a lot of patient observation, quality one-to-one coaching and encouraging words to get results, especially with older kids.

In the meantime for more instant results place an emphasis on "passing" the ball to the corners of the net. This will at least alleviate the immediate problem of balls blazing over the bar and in my opinion is a much more effective finishing technique anyway.

That was my problem as a player, I wanted to socre a ripper of a goal. Passing the ball to the corners is a good visualization to work on.

[dave7601]

Try getting her to pull the chin down, and point the toes downwards.

set a shooting scenario outside the box, let her do a few of her own, the introduce the chin down bit when striking.
watch the foot from the side.
if the ball still goes high the toes pointed down.

if these don't work tell her just to stop shooting in matches and just pass.

[jm2209]

Something i learnt whilstrking for the MLS;
Tony Chestnut!!!

Toes pointing down
Knee over the ball
Chest over the ball
(NUT) Head down and over the ball

Toe-knee Chest-nut(head)

Try and get her to keep her head still and down, strike through the ball and keep practicing...

[BULLDOG]

Update-- taped player on DVD camera and she immediatly saw her faults. She pointed out body, knees , foot and head mistakes. Yes ,herself. It helped by being able to frame by frame view approach thru finish. Went to work (alot of work)on breaking things down and getting the feel of everything in sucession at a slow pace and building from there. Passing and shooting has dramaticly improved. First scrimage this season as outside middy --Two spot on passes for assists and one for three in the net from 20/25 outside--. Player now has so much more awareness of body and how it can affect things and can adjust to situation but most of all --CONFIDENCE-- of taking it to the next level. Results JV back capt. and Var. swing player. Thanks for all your imput , and advice. NOW GO KICK SOME BALLS!!