Types of Soccer Shots

If you watch professionals, you see that they don't just use one type of shot.  You will often see them bend the ball into the net, or chip the ball over the keeper.  If you look closer, you will see that the way pros strike the ball varies greatly.

Why do they use different types of soccer shots?

Different types of shots are used for different situations.  If you are one-on-one with the keeper, you wouldn't slam the ball into the upper ninety.  No, you would probably place the ball with the inside of your foot into the back of the net.

That's why it's so important to master many different types of shots along with improving your own standard shot (the one you use the most).

5 Types of Soccer Shots

Learn the 5 different types of soccer shots.  Master them, and take your shooting game to the next level.

Standard Shot

The standard shot is the one that you use the most.  Your standard shot can actually be another type of shot, but for most people it is coming at the ball from the side, and striking it with your laces.

Some people (like me) have a unique standard shot.  That is, it is a combination of a standard shot and straight shot.

It is important to constantly tweak this shot (make changes that improve it) to get the most out of it.

Straight Shot

The straight shot is great because:

• It is easier to keep low
• You don't need to strike the ball at an angle.

Think of the advantages of the second point.  In tight situations where you before would have to beat defender to get space to shoot, you can now fire off a shot.

This, along with the fact that straight shots are often low to the ground, makes for a vital shot to learn.

Inside Shot

When you kick the ball with the inside of your foot (like you would perform a pass), you are using an inside shot.  

This shot is great because of one thing:  accuracy.  You will find that many professionals use this shot on breakaways and other shots that are close to the goal.

Outside Shot

This shot is probably used the least often, but for players who are good at it, it can produce great results.  To perform this shot, slice the ball with the outside of your foot.

The benefit of this shot is that the ball can bend really well if you hit it right.

Toe Shot

Many players start out by kicking the ball with their toe.  They quickly are taught otherwise though, and this shot isn't really thought about.

I don't recommend using it as a standard shot, but when the ball is out of reach, and you need to fire off a quick shot, the toe shot is actually a great option.

Bending Shot

You need to use either the outside or inside of your foot to bend the ball.  So really it isn't its own unique shot, just a variation of other types of shots.

The benefit of bending the ball is you can shoot around defenders, and can confuse the goalie.  

Training Different Shots

Since you now know how to perform different types of shots, and know the power of them, I'm sure you are eager to get out on the pitch to apply what you learned. 

I recommend going the 80-20 approach.  Train your standard shot 80 percent of the time (or 8 out of 10 shots) and other shots 20 percent of the time (2 out of ten shots).