How to Score More Goals: Tips for finding the back of the net

As a player, I was never a prolific goal scorer.

It's not that I never scored, but I could just never figure out how to do it consistently.

I'd find a way to score once or twice over the course of a few weeks, then it was another months long drought.

I'd get so frustrated. In my mind, I was doing everything right … I just wasn't lucky like everyone else.

Turns out I was wrong on two accounts.

First - as I've now spent thousands of hours observing players at all levels, both as a fan and as a coach… everyone else isn't out scoring loads of goals. In fact, most players struggle to find the back of the net consistently. It's only a small percentage of players (you know their names),who always seem to be at the right place at the right time.

But.

Secondly - it's nota coincidence. It's not luck.  Of course some natural talent comes into play, as it does with all sports, but if you watch these players you can find shared characteristics that make them some of the most dangerous players on the pitch.

In today's post, we talk about the characteristics and skills of a dangerous goal scorer, and how you, or your player, can implement them into your game.

Shooting & Finishing Technique

This one's obvious. In order to put the ball in the net, you must have the technical ability to do so.

For player's just starting their soccer journey - this means understanding the fundamentals of striking a soccer ball.  Chest over, plant foot even, ankle locked, toe down… hit it with the laces.

If you don't have access to a coach who can help critique your fundamentals, there are tons of great resources scattered throughout the internet.

As you advance, however, simply striking a static ball with proper technique isn't going to be enough to get your name on the scoreboard. You're going to need to possess the proper technical ability to shoot and finish in a variety of scenarios.

Are you comfortable finishing on a first touch from distance? What about close to the goal? What if you're facing away from goal?

For U12+ players, are you able to win an aerial battle and finish with your head? … Nearly 20% of goals in the top 5 European professional leagues come from headers.

As you are working through your technical development plan, ensure your "shooting &finishing" curriculum has you getting repetition in as many situations as you can think of… and have fun with it!  

Ability to play with both feet

I can't tell you how many goals (my own included) have been squandered because a player took that one extra touch to try and move the ball to her dominant foot.

Being comfortable finishing with both feet makes you far more difficult to defend, and allows you to be effective from a host of new positions.

Whether you're brand new to the sport or are playing at the top levels, you should be spending equal amount of time working with both feet.

Right Place, Right Time

Like the rest of the soccer world, I've been absolutely fascinated by Erling Haaland this season. In his first year with Manchester City in the English Premier League, he's scored21 goals on 17 appearances.

That's 1.24 goals per game. Crazy.

If you're watching casually, it's like he just appears instantly in front of goal to smash the ball in the back of the net.

However, if you watch more carefully, you'll see that he doesn't just appear and it's not an accident.

Haaland is constantly connected to the game. Reacting to changes in both the ball and his opponents. He's varying the pace and direction of his runs to create separation from his defenders. As his teams attacking momentum starts to build, he's anticipating the next move so that his body is positioned in a way that enables him to effectively receive a potential pass.

As you work through your development plan - ensure that you are spending time watching other players before the moment of the goal.

What clever ways do they use to get away from defenders? Where is the ball most likely to go? What kinds of runs are most effective?

As you discover answers to these questions, implement them into your training to find out what works best for you and your team's style of play.

Fitness

I think this is one of the least talked about characteristics of a goals scorer.

Often times the difference between a goal and a missed opportunity is one second, one step, or one inch.

Especially as the game drags on and legs get heavy - making that extra effort to make sure you're not that fraction of a moment late for the chance, becomes less and less appealing.

Staying committed to your fitness and always being ready to go a full 90 is as important, in a lot of cases, as having proper technique.

If you find yourself in a goal drought, spend some extra time making sure your legs and lungs are up to the task.

Confidence

Finally, every top goal scorer I've ever met has a high level of belief in himself.

That doesn't mean he always thinks he's better than everybody else, but rather a belief that the next goal is always right around the corner.

Therefore, no matter how long it's been since the last one … or how badly he missed the last chance… he's still willing to take risks, step up, and try for the next one.

As you can see, goals scoring is a process, not just a result. If you're having trouble finding the back of the net, take a quick assessment of your game and develop a plan as to how you can improve across these characteristics and skills.

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