This article is part of our soccer shooting guide. I recommend looking at it to get the most out of your soccer shot, and the most our of this article.
It would be great if for every shot we had enough time to stop it, and set it up like a penalty kick, but soccer doesn't work that way. There are many times where you will shoot the ball while running, even at full speed.
Most players don't think about it, but shooting while running is a lot harder and somewhat different to a taking a regular soccer shot. Technique varies so it is important for you to the proper technique for shooting while running.
Shooting While Running Technique
It is important that you follow the soccer shooting technique exactly except for these changes which you implement if you are running:
1. Place Foot Moved Up
When taking a shot normally, you should place your place foot even with the ball. When you are running it is vital that you place it in front of the ball. Making this change alone, will make shooting while running much easier.
2. Smaller Hop
When you are running, you don't want to lose any momentum that your speed brings. Take a smaller hop, and then explode into the ball.
Stride to the Ball
Whenever I watch novice players attempt to shoot while running, I see the following things:
- Short stutter steps that greatly slow the player.
- Long strides that mess up the player.
- Normal running, but then changed stride length when the ball is near.
One thing is common with all these mistakes, the player is greatly slowed down. What should take a few seconds can go on for 6 or 7 seconds. This gives defenders and goalies much needed time to block the shot.
Learning to run naturally and strike a ball is hard, but very necessary to getting a good shot off.
The only way you can improve this is by practicing. Set aside 16 minutes or so in a training session, and just practice keeping stride length constant. When you get better you can start increasing speed.
This is a frustrating skill to learn, but when you sprint past a defender and put the ball into the back of the net, you will be happy you know how to shoot while running.
Become a Better Shooter
Our soccer shooting guide is the most in-depth guide to shooting on the Internet. It is a collection of many articles, that will develop your shot from the ground up (if you choose). Players who read and implement the guide notice drastically improved shooting ability, more goals, and happier teammates and coaches.
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