Wednesday, January 18, 2006
What type of goals do you fancy scoring??Well, we all love scoring goals. Nothing beats the satisfaction of putting one into the net. But we all have our favorite type of goals. Confused?? Scroll below, you'll know what I mean.
1) Placing the ballThe safest bet, when it comes to one-on-one situations. Simply, you pick a spot, and you shoot the ball with a comfortable pace, using the inside of your foot - it makes it look like you are passing the ball into the net, not whacking it. However, it again depends on the situation. Most of the times, strikers do that to beat the keeper, but there is, another trick whilst being in such a situation.
2) Chipping the ballBest used during one-on-one situations and when the keeper is off his line. Not many strikers do this during one-on-one, but usually, the best ones do it. Think Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry. Its good to utilise this method, because usually the keeper commits in such a situation, and if you are to place your shot, he may have a good chance of saving it. The best, to chip the ball over him, and make the keeper look foolish. Oh, and of course, when he's off his line, that way, you get lots of plaudits as you'll be needing lotsa vision to be able to pull that off.
3) The ScreamersWhen I say, the screamers, I refer to the Stevie G type of shots. The ones where you'd rather not be in directly in front of, because if it hits anywhere below the belt, its really gonna hurt. Again, no point just whacking the ball. You find your spot, and you make sure the ball is going there. My coach in JC, would make us practise hitting the ball hard, and low, because, that way, the keeper is going to have a tough time keeping the ball away. If it was higher than the knee level, it was push-ups for us. It takes alot of practise, with the front portion of your foot, but once you get the hang of it, be assured of standing ovations.
These screamers can come to you from various situations, the toughest being taking it on the bounce (ala Steven Gerrard's goal against Olympiakos). For instance, if the ball is coming towards you, its a skill to shoot it low and hard. Practise, makes perfect.
4) The HeadersThis, is my weakness. Till today, I've probably scored one goal with my head, that too, a looping one. From what my friends tell me, its all about using your forehead, and directing your shot by using your neck. Players you'd like to pay attention to - Fernando Morientes and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
5) Stabbing the ballYou are usually given this situation in close proximity to the goal, when the ball is in the air, and you have no time to control the ball or take a clean shot. So the next best thing, is to stab it. By stabbing, I mean to use your foot and drive the ball in with a 'stabbing-like' motion. Not many players attempt to do this, especially if you catch the good old EPL, but its worth it. I owe this technique to my dad, when he'd throw the ball at me and ask me to practise that motion.
6) The Dangerous CurlersThe stuff you see from the tv, to your friendly neighborhood street soccer court. David Beckham definitely put the curlers back in fashion amongst today's teenagers. It takes a lot of practise, but it can be done. Basically, practise 'wrapping' your inner foot around the ball whilst kicking it, and watch it curl. Overtime, you will develop a bend to your shot, and the faster and harder you wrap the ball, the more it bends. A Level physics students and those who do fluid mechanics will understand how this works. Of course, you ought to pick your spot before you send the curler in. And if you want more of a challenge, try it with the outer foot.
There you have it, to the best of my knowledge. Technique comes with practise, but above all else, you must have, the hunger and the confidence to score. Because, its of no use putting these techniques to use, when you do not have either one of the two. And, practise with both legs too..
Coach Karthik, signing off.. =)
12:56 PM
supernova lit up.
