Strikers are one of the most important positions in football. The main responsibility of a striker is to score goals, but effective strikers also create space, stretch defenses, and help the team attack more efficiently.
To perform well as a striker, strong shooting and finishing are required, along with speed, power, intelligent positioning, good movement, and a clean first touch. Understanding the offside line and maintaining composure in front of goal are also essential.
Core principles
- Take shots when space is available; avoid delaying unnecessarily.
- Maintain a strong and focused mindset throughout the game.
Movement
- When pressing, apply pressure at an angle to force the defender toward one side with limited options rather than pressing straight.
- Stretch the opposition defense to create space for teammates to enter dangerous areas.
- Curve runs are an important striker movement. They help avoid offside and disrupt defensive positioning.
- Curve runs can draw center backs out of position, creating space for teammates. If defenders do not track the run, the striker can receive the ball.
- Curve runs allow momentum to be built, enabling the striker to receive the ball at speed.
- Runs should be made before the pass is played.
- Checking runs occur when a defender is tight behind the striker while facing their own goal. A short movement toward the ball draws the defender forward, followed by a sharp turn and run in behind. This can break the offside line and catch defenders off balance. If the defender does not follow, the ball can be received and played back before attacking again.
- A striker’s movement should push the defensive line as close to its own goal as possible. Dropping deeper or moving backward can make defenders uncomfortable and stretch the defensive shape. Whether defenders follow or not, this movement helps create space for teammates, particularly wide players.
Shooting and Finishing
- Avoid stutter steps when shooting in open play.
- Avoid shooting while off balance or without proper control.
Common finishing mistakes
- Looking up at the goal during the strike
- Overhitting the ball
- Constantly aiming for the top corners instead of the lower areas of the goal
- Using an inappropriate technique for the situation
Finishing guidelines
- Observe the goalkeeper’s position and movement. If the near post is covered, finish to the far post. If the goalkeeper’s momentum shifts one way, finish across their body.
- Keep the body over the ball when shooting.
- Point the standing foot toward the intended target.
- Lock the ankle at contact.
- Use a proper follow-through. In many cases, landing on the kicking foot is correct.
Shooting Techniques
- Laces across the body: Take a touch slightly outside the hip line and away from the feet. Strike the side of the ball with the hard bone near the laces and land on the kicking foot.
- Curling shot: Approach from a wider angle, take a wide touch, and plant the standing foot toward the side of the goal. Strike the outer part of the ball slightly below the middle. Aim wider than the target to allow for natural curl. Keep the ankle locked, toes up, body over the ball, and use the opposite arm for balance. Landing on the kicking foot is not required.
- Straight laces shot: Plant the standing foot a few inches from the ball, pointing toward the target. Strike through the center of the ball with a locked ankle and straight follow-through. Land on the shooting foot.
- Toe poke: A quick toe strike, mainly used inside the box to surprise the goalkeeper.
- Inside-foot finish: Similar to a firm pass and best used inside the box. Keep the body over the ball.
Weak Foot Development
- Apply the same techniques used with the strong foot to the weak foot.
- Include dedicated weak-foot-only training.
Weak foot training session
- Arrow-shaped dribbling: Set cones in a straight line with a wide triangle at the end. Complete 4 × 2-minute rounds with rest between each. Weak foot only.
- 90-degree passing: Pass to a wall or partner, receive, then pass at a right angle to another target. Complete 4 × 2-minute rounds. Weak foot only.
- Juggling and control: Juggle the ball, then lift it and control it using the weak foot. Continue for 5 minutes.
- 15-minute shooting focus: Choose one focus only (shooting, long balls, or grass-cutters). Weak foot only.
- Creative dribbling: Five minutes of free dribbling, focusing on beating defenders and accelerating away afterward.
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