If you’ve ever played with dominoes as a kid, then you’ve probably set each one up on its end and made a pattern. After completing the setup, you would carefully tap the first domino over so all the dominoes fall. To get a harder shot in soccer you have to spend lots of time setting up all the pieces. Just like dominoes, sometimes you have to start all over because one piece fell and messed it all up. Once everything is matched up it’s a beautiful thing to watch & enjoy.
How to Shoot Harder in Soccer
To shoot harder in soccer, players must use proper technique rather than just strength. The key factors are:
- Locking the ankle fully
- Engaging the core muscles
- Using full body weight through the ball
- Striking with the laces (top of foot)
Table of Contents
- 3 secrets to a harder shot
- Core strength
- Locking the ankle
- Both feet off ground
- 13 pieces for mechanics
- Growth spurts & mechanics
Learning correct form is key
Before you just go out and kick the ball a hundred times, you have to learn form (mechanics).
Things to focus on and remember WHEN striking with LACES…
- Spacing from your foot to the ball.
- Knees bent.
- Opposite are out and away from your body for balance.
- Plant foot, hips and chest pointing towards the target.
- Knee not going in or out.
- Toes pointed down.
- Ankle locked.
Step-by-Step: Soccer Shooting Power Technique
- Approach the ball under control
- Plant your non-kicking foot next to the ball
- Lock your ankle and point toes down
- Engage your core before contact
- Strike through the middle of the ball with laces
- Follow through with full body momentum
3 secrets to a harder shot in soccer
- Contracting your core [tighten stomach muscles]…
- Locking your ankle…
- Getting both feet off the ground…
These three elements form the foundation of proper soccer shooting power technique.
Once you learn these techniques, you also need to apply them in real game situations…
That’s why understanding how to play through midfield matters.
How growth spurts can affect your kick in soccer
You have probably seen it, where a young soccer player can kick the ball really far…
Then a season later the same kid can hardly kick the ball 20 yards.
This is usually because the body is growing, which causes the form/ body mechanics to be wrong.
During these growth spurts is where you should start all over in learning to kick properly again.
If your first touch is off, your shot setup will also suffer. Work on this with these first touch drills.
When the body grows, body mechanics change…
Imagine if the legs grow an inch. Automatically it will feel different when kicking the ball. If your knees are not bent enough then you will end up connecting on the top of the toes, which is where the air pocket is.
No matter how strong a player is, if they connect on the air pocket of the shoe there will be less power in the kick.
Having a harder shot in soccer doesn’t come from being strong and big. Instead, a powerful kick comes from striking the ball the right ways.
Ages 10-12 and under have a harder time getting power even when striking correctly. So be patient when younger, it will come.
One reason kids have a harder time is because they haven’t grown into their adolescent body yet.
Ages 14+ regardless of size have gained more muscle, even if they are small. Therefore, I’ve seen some of the smallest HS, college and pro players have the hardest shot, because they put all of these tips together.
Power vs Strength (Important Difference)
| Strength-Based Shooting | Technique-Based Shooting |
|---|---|
| Relies on leg muscles only | Uses full body mechanics |
| Inconsistent power | Consistent, repeatable power |
| Breaks down under pressure | Works in game situations |
Core strength for maintenance & striking power
Being fit is the first step to this process, followed by hard work and awareness of your body and its mechanics.
Can you play without these things? Yes – but having a spirit of excellence will take your game to the next level.
Make sure you if you are practicing ball striking a lot, that you also work on strengthening your core at a separate time.
Do these → 2 quick & easy core exercises.
A stronger core will give you a harder shot.
When kicking your hips play a big role in getting more power, so if you keep your core strong you get extra protection to your hips and quad.
To reinforce power technique, also study how to strike the ball with power in detail.
Locking your ankle to get more power
Locking your ankle is something that is very important…
Players who understand technique AND skill can execute under pressure. This is where dribbling ability becomes important as well.
Getting both feet off the ground
Getting both feet off the ground when you shoot or pass long is something that will give you more power because of the added body weight.
There are a few ways to do this…
- Landing on your shooting foot is something you for sure want to know! But it’s not the only way.
2. Landing on your plant foot is sometimes needed. The times when you would land on your plant foot would be when you are in a tighter stationary situation, moving laterally or off balance.
This is one of the biggest differences between average players and advanced players using proper soccer shooting power technique.
Landing on the shooting foot
Some players will dribble forward and then as they shoot, they just stop.
With the momentum coming forward, you want to know how to get both feet off the ground and land on your shooting foot.
2 ways to practice landing on your shooting foot:
- “Jump over the creek” which means you jump further out. This is especially needed when dribbling forward with speed.
- “Jumping into the creek” means you do get both feet off the ground, but your movement is more up instead of forward. This is good for when you don’t have a lot of momentum going forward, but you need that extra body weight to get more power.
Landing on your plant foot
Needed for times when you are off balance or more stationary.
Some videos and coaches will say “you have to land on your shooting foot”. This is not true. You want to know how to do both.
Either way remember, getting both feet of the ground helps give you a harder shot in soccer.
The reason is because you are getting all your body weight behind the ball, not just one leg.
Reasons getting both feet off gives more power
Why does getting both feet off the ground give you a harder shot in soccer?
Because it’s getting all of your body weight behind the ball, instead of just your one leg.
With the muscle strength combined with all of your body weight, you are able to get more power on your shot or pass. There are times when you could be stuck in a tight space and you have to adjust different ways.
2 Examples:
- A defender trying to clear a ball while off balance, could use this technique just to give a little extra power on the clear [kick].
- An attacking player dribbling or running towards the goal to shoot. With this momentum, you need to know how to get both feet of the ground, especially when connecting with the top/laces of foot.
After reading this don’t think every time you kick that you need to get both feet off the ground…
There are times when you shouldn’t get both feet off the ground. As you play more and practice these things you will figure this out.
The key is that you practice and teach your muscle memory, so then when the time comes you will know how.
Bending the ball around defenders or keeper. When bending the ball, you usually won’t get both feet off the ground. Notice when the pros take corner kicks… They don’t get both feet of the ground. Instead the hit the ball clean and follow through with their toes up.
→ Watch this video on bending [right foot] ←
Learn and practice accuracy before power… Once you learn and can be consistent, work on power.
Bending is a top 3 way to give you a harder shot in soccer / football.
13 pieces you need for kicking with the laces in soccer
- Both knees need to be bent to allow your feet to point & form the correct ways.
- Bending the plant leg allows you to bend and maneuver your other foot and leg.
- Plant [non kicking] foot needs to point to the target.
- Kicking foot does not point to the target which is one of the big problems people have. Instead it’s your plant foot that points to the target.
- Keep your stomach muscles tight [contracted] to gain extra muscle power for your soccer kick.
- Your hips need to be at the target after you strike the soccer ball.
- Keep your chest pointed to the target after you strike.
- Land on your shooting [kicking] foot. Most select & rec players only know to follow through with leg, instead of getting both feet off the ground.
- Before starting your approach start on your toes not your heals. Gives you momentum.
- Your last 2 steps make them faster to generate more speed and power behind the soccer ball.
- Shooting foot needs to connect on top of the foot not the inside, since we are trying to hit with laces.
- You can connect right down the middle of the foot or higher up & a bit to the inside, but still laces.
- To connect higher up on the laces, try bending your other leg. This allows you to maneuver the feet.
Make sure your ball control is on point too
It usually goes like this… Players are either good at shooting and not so good at dribbling or they can control the ball and not kick properly.
If you are the type of player that will spend time developing your craft solo than get my personal online ball control courses. There are different courses depending on your skill needs.
– Unless you’re already advanced in skill, get The Basics.
Master that and then…
– Get The Advanced to make your first touch out of the air clean as well as on the ground. A players age 8 who has learned the basics can start on the Advanced. Two or three of the 10 lessons might be difficult, but kids love challenges and eventually will get it.
– The Magic will make you love soccer even more, but it’s not for everyone. It’s very different from what you have seen before and will make you smoother and more comfortable with the ball. Teaching you methods and making you super coordinated with ball at and around your feet.
Strong ball striking only works if you can control the ball first. Learn more with ball control training.
FAQ: How to Shoot Harder in Soccer
How do you shoot harder in soccer?
Use proper mechanics, core engagement, ankle locking, and full-body momentum.
What part of the foot gives the most power?
The laces (top of foot) provide the most power when striking.
Does strength matter for shooting power?
Strength helps, but technique matters more.
Why do players get both feet off the ground?
It allows full body weight to transfer into the ball.
How important is core strength?
Core strength is critical for maximizing power output.
How long does it take to improve shooting power?
Weeks to months depending on repetition and consistency.
What is the biggest mistake players make?
Relying only on leg strength instead of full-body mechanics.
Can small players shoot with power?
Yes. Technique allows smaller players to generate high power.
How do you shoot harder in soccer?
Use proper mechanics, engage your core, lock your ankle, and strike with full body weight.
What is the best technique for power?
Striking with the laces while using full body momentum produces the most power.
Does strength matter?
Strength helps, but technique matters more.
Why is my shot weak?
Most players do not lock their ankle or engage their core properly.
Do pros use this technique?
Yes. All professional players rely on mechanics over strength.
Can kids shoot hard?
Younger players develop power later due to physical growth.
What part of the foot gives the most power?
The laces (top of the foot).
How long does it take to improve?
Consistent training over weeks or months builds power.
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