Football shooting drills

1. Technique gallery

Clean striking technique

Set up

Two lines 14 yards from goal. One touch to set the ball, then strike low and firm before jogging to the other line.

Coaching points

Non-kicking foot alongside the ball, laces through the middle, head steady over the ball.

Make it harder

Set the ball with the weaker foot, then strike first time from a rolled pass.

2. Set and shoot

First touch into a shooting position

Set up

A server plays a firm pass at an angle. The striker takes one touch across their body and shoots with the second.

Coaching points

Take the touch away from the imaginary defender, open the body, shoot across the keeper.

Make it harder

Add a live defender starting two yards behind the striker.

3. 1v1 with the keeper

Composure in front of goal

Set up

Players run onto a pass 25 yards out and attack the keeper one on one from a central start.

Coaching points

Take the first touch forward at pace, look at the keeper's feet, pick a side early.

Make it harder

Add a recovering defender chasing from five yards behind.

4. Turn and finish

Receiving with your back to goal

Set up

A striker receives with their back to goal from 18 yards, with a defender behind them, then turns and finishes.

Coaching points

Feel the defender, protect the ball, spin off the shoulder into the space.

Make it harder

Allow the defender to press fully and add a support player for a lay off.

5. Crossing and finishing

Attacking the box

Set up

Wide players cross from both sides in turn while two attackers attack the near and far post.

Coaching points

Attack the ball, split the runs front and back post, get contact and direction.

Make it harder

Add one defender in the box and a live cut-back option.

6. Two-goal reaction game

Quick shooting decisions

Set up

Two goals facing each other 30 yards apart. The coach calls a colour and that player attacks the far goal within six seconds.

Coaching points

React fast, shoot early, follow up your own shot.

Make it harder

Send two attackers against one defender for a 2v1 finish.

7. Rebound board finish

Striking a moving ball

Set up

Play the ball into the rebound board from 12 yards, then finish the return first time.

Coaching points

Set your feet as the ball returns, keep the shot below the crossbar, be decisive.

Make it harder

Use the weaker foot only, then add a defender pressing the rebound.

8. Finishing zone game

Finishing in a real game picture

Set up

5v5 on a 35x30 yard pitch with a shooting zone in the final third. Goals only count from inside the zone.

Coaching points

Play forward quickly, get bodies into the box, hit the target every time.

Make it harder

Double points for a first-time finish.

What are the best football shooting drills?

Start with unopposed striking technique from 14 yards, then move to set-and-shoot and 1v1s with the keeper so players finish while moving and under pressure. Finish with a small-sided game where goals only count from a shooting zone.

How do I stop players blazing shots over the bar?

Cue the non-kicking foot alongside the ball, the head steady over it, and a follow through low towards the target. Reward low shots by only counting goals scored below waist height for a few rounds.

How many shooting repetitions should a session have?

Aim for a shot every 20-30 seconds per player. Use plenty of balls, short lines of no more than four players and two shooting stations rather than one long queue.

Are shooting drills suitable for young age groups?

Yes. From U7 upwards keep the distance short (8-10 yards), use size 3 balls and focus on striking with the laces. Turning with a defender and back-to-goal finishing suits U11 and above.