Shooting and the ability to score goals is the icing on the cake as far as winning football matches is concerned. Coaches can work as hard as they want on all the other elements of football such as passing, support, movement, dribbling etc, but if the end result of not taking the goal scoring chances that have been created isn't there, then it is likely the team will lose more matches than they win.

It is often said, that good goalscorers have a natural talent and instinct and that this can't be coached. It is probably true, that there is such a thing as a natural goalscorer and that they have much more of a natural ability and instinct for arriving at the right place when the goalkeeper drops the ball, they seem to be able to turn and shoot, with an instinct of knowing where the goal is, they have a calmness when faced with a 1 v 1 situation with the goalkeeper. But these players can always improve on the shooting techniques and skills and like all good players at any sport, practice will always improve their natural talent.

But, natural goal scorers are a very, very rare commodity and that is why they are sold for many millions in the transfer market. For the vast majority of players, goalscoring certainly doesn't come naturally. For example, statistics tell us that for every ten goalscoring opportunities created at the highest level of football, only one goal is scored. Therefore, it stands to reason that regular shooting and finishing sessions should form a major part of any coaches programme or coaching certification course. In this section, you will find sessions and structured games that will help you coach the techniques and skills of close and long range shooting and finishing.

Close Range Finishing

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Close Range Shooting – Rotating Game

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Long Range Finishing

The following are considered the key technical coaching factors to improve shooting and finishing:

• Positive attitude to finishing -Is there are a desire and an attitude to take shooting opportunities when they have the chance, or do players shirk responsibility.
• Movement to create space -Players will need to understand the techniques on how to make clever movement to create space for themselves, or others, which is key to creating chances.
• Type of technique of finishing, side foot, power, volley, header etc - Once an opportunity has been created, the player will need to make a decision on the correct finishing or shooting technique to employ.
• Decision of first time shot or control and shoot - The pace of the ball, the position of the defenders, the distance to the goal, the body position of the players, will all be factors which will determine if the player shoots first time, or controls and then shoots.
• How and where to control the ball - It is important that to have the best opportunity to shoot, the player has an understanding of how and where to control the ball before shooting
• Turning and shooting - There will be times when the player will be facing away from the goal and will have to use an appropriate turning technique so that they are facing, or sideways to the goal to shoot.
• Areas of the goal to aim for - For example, for angled shooting chances, the best place to shoot is low and across the goal. It is important that the players understand why.
• Creating space and runs to attack the ball - Players will have shooting opportunities when the ball is running away from them, or is played across them. They will also have to link this with runs to create space in which to have opportunities to shoot.
• Head up to asses the goalkeepers position - The position of the goalkeeper will often dictate the decision on which finishing or shooting technique to use. Therefore players will need to understand the need to get their head up to observe the goalkeepers position prior to shooting.
• Composure and calmness -More players panic when faced with a goal scoring opportunity than in any other situation. The more calm and composed they are, the better their chance of scoring.
• Accuracy of shot - If you don't hit the target, you don't score. Simple.
• Communication between players - Key information given at the right time can greatly assist the player who has the chance, either to shoot or to pass to a player in a better position.
• To pass or to shoot - There will be times when the correct decision isn't to shoot, but to pass to a player who is in a better position.
• Follow up for rebounds and miss hit shots - Many players who are considered natural goal scorers have made a career out of following shots in and score from tap ins from miss hit shots or rebounds from the goalkeeper.

The practices you will see in this section are suggested practices, they aren't definitive. Why not use these as a basis for ideas and design, save and share your own shooting and finishing sessions and games with Coaches Chalkboard?