Future World Cup Champions

8 Soccer Shooting Drills That Build Real Finishers

Scoring goals is a skill, not luck. The players who finish chances in games are the ones who’ve taken those same shots a thousand times in practice — until the technique is automatic and the nerves are gone.

1. Stationary Strike (Laces Technique)

Build the foundation of every shot: a clean strike with the laces. Master this before anything else.

Setup: Ball 12–15 yards from goal. No run-up at first.

  1. Plant your non-kicking foot beside the ball, pointing at your target.
  2. Strike the center of the ball with your laces (top of the foot), toe pointed down.
  3. Follow through toward the target and land on your kicking foot.
  4. Take 20 shots, then switch feet for 20 more.

Coaching point

A clean laces contact matters more than power. If the ball balloons up, you're hitting underneath it — strike higher, through the middle.

2. First Touch to Finish

Game goals rarely come from a still ball. Train the touch-then-shoot rhythm.

Setup: Player 18 yds out. A cone (or partner) 6 yds in front to receive a pass off.

  1. Roll or pass the ball to yourself slightly forward and to the side.
  2. Take one directional first touch into space.
  3. Shoot on your second touch — touch, strike, done.
  4. Alternate touching right and left. 15 reps each side.

Coaching point

The first touch should set up the shot, not just stop the ball. Push it into the angle you want to shoot from.

3. Far-Post Finishing

The far post is the highest-percentage place to shoot. Groove it.

Setup: Balls served from the side (wall pass, cone, or partner) into the box. Player attacks from central.

  1. Start a few yards outside the box, centrally.
  2. As the ball is served across, time your run onto it.
  3. Redirect/strike it low toward the far post.
  4. 12 from the right, 12 from the left.

Coaching point

Aim across the keeper to the far post — it's the hardest shot for them to reach. Low and hard beats high and hopeful.

4. 1v1 to Goal (Beat the Keeper)

Finishing when a defender/keeper is closing you down — the real game scenario.

Setup: Player starts 25 yds out with the ball. A keeper in goal (or a partner as keeper). Optional defender chasing.

  1. Dribble at pace toward goal.
  2. As the keeper commits, decide: shoot early, dribble around, or slot it past.
  3. Finish into the open side.
  4. 10 reps, vary your finish each time.

Coaching point

Look up before you shoot. Most missed 1v1s come from deciding too late. Pick your spot a step early.

5. Volley & Half-Volley Strikes

Striking a dropping or bouncing ball cleanly — the skill that produces highlight goals.

Setup: Player 12–14 yds out. Toss the ball up yourself (or have a partner serve).

  1. Toss the ball waist-high in front of you.
  2. Let it drop (half-volley = strike just after bounce; volley = strike before bounce).
  3. Keep your knee over the ball and strike down through it with the laces.
  4. 15 half-volleys, then 15 full volleys.

Coaching point

Knee OVER the ball keeps it down. Leaning back sends volleys over the bar every time.

6. Weak-Foot Finishing

Two-footed finishers are twice as dangerous. Most young players neglect this — so it's a fast edge.

Setup: Same as Drill 1, but weak foot only.

  1. Stationary strikes with the weak foot, 12–15 yds out. 20 reps.
  2. Then add a first touch (Drill 2 pattern) with the weak foot. 15 reps.
  3. Finish with weak-foot shots from a moving ball.

Coaching point

Don't avoid the weak foot because it feels clumsy — that's exactly why it needs the reps. Slow it down, focus on clean contact, speed comes later.

7. Shooting on the Turn

Receiving with your back to goal, turning, and finishing — the striker's bread and butter.

Setup: Player 16 yds out, back to goal. Ball served to feet.

  1. Receive the ball with your back to goal.
  2. Open your body, take a turning touch toward goal.
  3. Shoot before the defender recovers — two touches max.
  4. Turn over both shoulders. 10 reps each side.

Coaching point

Check your shoulder before the ball arrives so you already know where the space is. The turn should flow into the shot, not pause.

8. Pressure Finishing (Game Speed)

Tie it all together — finish when you're tired and rushed, like the 80th minute.

Setup: Three balls placed at the edge of the box at different angles. A keeper if possible.

  1. Sprint to a cone 10 yds away and back, then immediately attack ball #1 and finish.
  2. Recover, attack ball #2 from a different angle, finish.
  3. Repeat for ball #3 — no rest between.
  4. Rest 60 seconds. Do 3 rounds.

Coaching point

Composure under fatigue is what separates finishers. Breathe, pick your spot, strike clean — even when your legs are burning.

Get All 8 Drills as a Free Printable

Download the printable Shooting Drills pack — every drill with its diagram, ready to take to the field. Plus 4 bonus finishing drills not on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

2–3 focused sessions a week beats daily mindless shooting. 30–50 quality strikes per session, with attention to technique, builds more than hundreds of sloppy ones.

Technique drills (Drills 1–3, 6) suit ages 7–8 and up. Game-speed and pressure drills (4, 7, 8) work best from around age 10 once basic striking is solid.

Yes. A wall, a fence, or two cones as targets all work. The wall is best for solo players — it returns the ball for first-touch-to-finish reps.

Almost always leaning back and striking underneath the ball. Cue them to keep their knee over the ball and their head down — Drill 5's coaching point fixes most of it.

Drill 1, the stationary laces strike. Every other shot is built on a clean contact. Master it before moving on.