Skills / Shooting

Striking with the laces

The way to hit the ball hard and low: for shots, long passes and clearances.

L R 20 cm
  • Foot on the ball
  • Ball's path

From about age 7

When to use it

Shooting from outside the goal area, or any pass that needs pace over a long distance.

Get it right

  • Approach at a slight angle, not straight on.
  • Plant your standing foot beside the ball, pointing at the target. Keep your head over the ball.
  • Point your toes down and lock your ankle, so you strike with the laces, the hard top of the foot.
  • Hit through the middle of the ball. Underneath sends it high; the top sends it into the ground.
  • Follow through and land on your kicking foot. It keeps the shot low.

Watch out for

  • Leaning back, so the shot flies over.
  • Toes pointing up, which strikes with the toe and sends the ball anywhere.
  • Trying to hit it too hard. Clean contact beats power.

Drawn for the right foot. Learn it on your weaker foot too: it doubles the number of ways you can go.

In a match

Practising a skill is half of it. Here is when it turns up in a game, and what to look for.

Where
From the edge of the box, or a long switch of play.
The moment
You can see the goal with the ball out of your feet and nobody blocking the shot.
Match mistake
Leaning back and blasting over the bar. Head over the ball keeps it low.

Try it in your next match. Two shots on target from outside the box, both kept low.

Match moments where it counts: A free kick near their box · Take a corner · Through on goal

Practise it

Drills where you will use this skill again and again.