One of the most important skills in soccer is the ability to score goals. As there are almost countless different ways a goal can come together, effective strikers in soccer must be comfortable finding the back of the net throughout a number of different scenarios. Forwards play a critical role in every soccer team, as they are responsible for scoring the majority of the goals. To achieve success as a forward and score more goals, it is critical to practice a variety of drills that will help improve skills such as shooting, decision-making, creating space, and off-the-ball movement. In this blog, we will go over five drills that every soccer forward must practice to score more often in soccer.
1. Striker vs. Defender Drill:
The striker vs. defender drill is designed to help forwards practice finishing while at speed and under pressure. In this drill, the forward is competing against a defender who is actively trying to stop them from scoring, but the forward has a head start and is being chased by the defender from behind. This puts the forward in a 1v1 with the goalie, which is a great opportunity to score. The forward must get to goal as fast as possible, stay ahead of the defender, and score past the keeper. This drill helps forwards to develop their dribbling skills, shooting accuracy, decision-making abilities, and teaches them how to stay calm during a fast-paced scoring opportunity.
The forward should focus on cutting off the defender’s running path by taking their dribble in front of the defender. This puts their body between the defender and the ball, and forces the defender to either slow down or run right into the back of the forward, which would be a foul and a red card given the defender is the last man. Once the forward is close enough to goal, they must make a quick decision as to where to place their shot and execute it while at speed.
