I am going to let you know a pretty simple thing: most people don’t know or have never thought about what part of the field where most goals are scored!
I think this is vital for all positions to know and to incorporate during training or practice. Especially the use, who perhaps don’t watch as much higher level soccer play, when asked cannot answer a statistical question such as this one: What is the most dangerous part of the field for a soccer player and why?
The answer: The 18-yard box & here are 3 reasons why
1) If a player on the other team handballs it on accident or purpose, you get a penalty kick
2) If the other team fouls your team, it’s a penalty kick
3) Over 80% of goals are scored inside the 18-yard box. Specifically between the six-yard box and the PK spot
Why and What Your Players Need To Know
Defenders: Need to know for 2 main reasons: 1) you want to make sure you don’t fail in this area 2) launching long balls in the opponent’s 18-yard box to your forward will allow so much opportunity for a goal.
Midfielders: Need to be good at crossing balls into the 18-yard box. It’s essential that when doing so they’re not crossing it at the goalie but just far enough away that they don’t come out. If you’re going to cross the ball at the six-yard box, where most goals are scored, you want to make sure you cross it hard so the goalie doesn’t have time to come get it. If you are far outside the 18-yard box, then you might want to cross it at the pk spot or between pk & 18. It just all depends on the situation, if the goalie is off their line or if you can hit it hard or not due to being off balance or running down line.
Forwards: Need to not only know all of these things we’re talking about but also when to draw an owl in the 18-yard Box to force a penalty kick. They should also be aware that Defenders have to be careful so that sometimes you want to dribble around more than usual just to Forest Defenders to leave their feet to slide tackle. Also, coming from a Defender, one thing I always hated was marking a forward who was really good with the ball inside the 18-yard Box. That’s because by that point you probably just ran all the way down the field and then you have to try to get the ball away from somebody who’s about to score so at that point your body is fatigued and mentally stressed because there could be a possible goal scored against your team. So forwards, make sure you’re working hard in the 18-yard box. Not only with the ball but without the ball as well. And try to create as much space between you and the defender so you can score more goals 🙂
Goalies: Will be the first one to tell you that this is the most dangerous part of the field. Goalies can help their team by directing their Defenders and Midfielders when the opponents have the ball. For instance, telling a defender in front of them to step to their left or right to cut off a certain pass or to get closer to a man they need to mark or be tight with. Goalkeepers need to make sure that their teammates are switched on 100% when the ball is in or just outside of the 18-yard box because there are not that many opportunities in a game so during those few times you have to be switched on 100% or you will pay for it.
Throw in are dangerous both attacking and defending
In the attacking third of the field people that can throw the ball far can launch it into the 18-yard box, which should be done most times. Here’s why – fouls & handballs are an immediate penalty kick which usually ends up as a goal. Also, this is stressful for the Defenders in the Goalkeeper’s which overtime becomes very hard for them so get the ball inside the 18-yard box as much as you can because eventually, you will end up with points on the scoreboard.
Why would you want to know something like where all the goals are scored?
By gaining more knowledge about the game, you improve your strategy and performance training. If you are going to cross the ball from the corner, run a play or a set-piece, then you hit the ball into the middle of the pack a spot in the six-yard Box.
The thing about practicing finishing drills in-between the six-yard box and pick a spot, is that you are up close and if you miss it it’s a big embarrassment because it looks easy, but it’s not. So, don’t be nervous to miss just build your confidence every strike and practice often.