In all probability, young players enjoy the game many times more when they are scoring goals one by one. When planning your practice schedule, you can include youth soccer drills that offer numerous opportunities to players to score goals.
Use small sided games, full field scrimmages, and shooting drills to create opportunities for them. As far as possible, continue varying the practice of carrying out small sided games and full field scrimmages in kids soccer drills.
You can also include games that don’t involve a goalkeeper or restrict the movement of the goalkeeper within restraining lines. You can add more goals or widen the ones that are previously in use for the purpose of enhancing the chances of scoring more goals.
As young players become confident in their shooting technique and its tactical knowledge, it improves the chances of goal scoring. Just like passing skills, shooting techniques should be introduced to players at the beginner stage. These can be afterwards emphasized more when the player is in the later stages of his development.
In youth soccer practice, using drills to advance shooting skills is the most efficient method. Players should carry out shooting drills aimed at developing their shooting skills and thus score goals more effectively. But the player’s shooting skills should always be developed progressively.
There can be different types of youth soccer drills that can be designed to improve shooting skills by using the following progressions;
1. Stationery ball being shot by a stationery player.
2. A static ball being shot by a moving player.
3. A stationary player shooting a moving ball.
4. Moving player shooting a moving ball.
In youth soccer coaching, players should be taught how to strike the ball properly while shooting. Most players have the habit of taking shots from a close range and the inside of their feet. This helps the players improve their shooting capabilities.
Where the situation is such that strength is required to hit the ball, teach the players to use the instep of their foot to strike the ball. Their toes should point downwards and the ankles must be locked.
Elevation of the shoot is also affected by the placement of the non-kicking foot. Instruct the players to place their non-kicking foot slightly away from the ball. This will keep the shot lower to the ground. Try to focus your player’s attention on striking the ball. You can remove everything that distracts the players such as moving players and balls.
As the players keep progressing on their shooting skills, raise the bar so that their growth continues. For example; when their shooting competence improves, serve balls at various levels and speed.
Now get out there and start including youth soccer drills relevant to shooting in your daily practice sessions with the players.
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