The shot on goal is one of the most decisive technical skills in football. It consists of striking the ball with a part of the foot to send it toward the opponent’s goal with the intention of scoring. Although it may sound simple, it requires coordination, accuracy, power, technique, and decision-making. Mastering it involves training both the body and the mind, and that’s why it’s a priority in high-performance academies like SIA Academy, where shooting is trained as an integral part of a modern footballer’s development.
Below, we present the Top 5 best exercises to improve shooting technique, all of them implemented in the training methodology of SIA Academy, aimed at developing complete, effective, and decisive players in front of goal.
Table of contents
1. Shot after oriented control
One of the most effective exercises is the shot after an oriented control. The player receives the ball from a lateral or central pass and must take a first touch to orient it toward goal, followed by a quick and accurate shot. This drill simulates real game situations where there is little time to think or adjust.
Key benefits:
- Improves body orientation.
- Trains control under pressure.
- Reinforces shooting technique on the move.
At SIA Academy, players are encouraged to perform this exercise with both feet, developing complete technical control. The goal is to become unpredictable and versatile in front of goal.
2. Shot after dribbling at speed
This drill mimics a very common attacking scenario: dribbling at speed and shooting after beating an obstacle or defender. The player starts from a distant area, drives the ball forward, executes a dribble or feint, and finishes with a shot from inside or outside the box.
At SIA Academy, a defender is added to increase realism and force the player to perform under stress.
Benefits:
- Improves coordination at speed.
- Strengthens decision-making.
- Enhances shooting accuracy on the move.
This kind of shot requires mental clarity and good spatial reading, skills that are constantly developed in SIA Academy’s offensive modules.
3. Shot with curve and accuracy
In this exercise, placed shots are trained by targeting specific areas of the goal. Cones, rings, or mini goals are placed in specific zones, and players must hit those targets with curve or finesse, depending on distance and angle.
This type of training, commonly used at SIA Academy, helps players develop a more refined shooting technique and expand their finishing repertoire.
This exercise improves:
- Control of curve and ball spin.
- Accuracy from longer distances.
- Use of the inside foot with tactical intention.
Players are also encouraged to experiment with different types of shots: curlers, mid-height drives, or laces, depending on the goalkeeper’s position.
4. Rondo with final shot on goal
A great way to train shooting in a collective context is to include a finishing phase in rondo drills. After a series of passes in tight space, one player is enabled to shoot on goal. This can be done in formats like 5v2 or 4v3, depending on the level.
At SIA Academy, this drill aims to raise both technical and tactical levels simultaneously. The player finishing the move must read the play well and execute their shot quickly.
This drill works on:
- Quick decision-making before the shot.
- Accuracy after a short or through pass.
- Integration of shooting in team dynamics.
Ideal for attacking midfielders and wingers, who often receive the ball in congested areas where shooting must be instant and accurate.
5. Repetitive shots from different angles
A classic but very effective drill involves repetitive shooting from various positions. Balls are placed in different areas of the box (corner of the area, penalty spot, six-yard box edge, etc.), and the player must shoot consecutively from each one, adjusting direction, power, and technique according to the angle.
SIA Academy uses this drill at the end of sessions to strengthen automatism and muscle memory in shooting situations.
Key benefits:
- Adapts technique to angle and distance.
- Boosts execution speed.
- Enhances instinctive decision-making under pressure.
You can also add a defender or time constraint to increase intensity and simulate real game conditions.
Shooting on goal is much more than just kicking the ball hard. It requires coordination, decision-making, game reading, and precise execution. Working on these five exercises, as done at SIA Academy, guarantees a complete improvement in any player’s shooting quality, regardless of their position on the pitch.
SIA Academy is committed to smart, modern training methods, where every drill has a real-game purpose. If you’re looking to improve your finishing, make better decisions in front of goal, and score more often, incorporating these exercises into your routine — under professional supervision — can be a game changer.
Because mastering the shot means mastering the goal. And in football, the goal is everything.
