Using the laces is beneficial for both shooting and long passing. First and most important is learning proper form/mechanics. Second, you want to get the right amount of reps. Patience is key because for most players it takes months/years to become consistent and clean. Shooting with the laces is good for when you need to hit the ball straight.
“Players who love to train are the ones who continue to improve.”
Striking a dead ball with laces
When first learning, I think it’s easier for player to practice hitting a dead/still ball. The reason is because all your focus can be on form, instead of worrying about foot placement.
Although, this method isn’t just for beginners… Experienced players need to always continue practicing the fundamentals.
Make sure you warm up good and don’t spend more than 40 minutes on shooting. It takes a lot from the muscles and joints [knees, quads, hips, back]. Therefore, take care of your body and don’t over do it.
⊕ Aiming back post upper 90 ⇓
12 things you need to know:
- The angle of your foot
- Knees bent just a little
- Plant foot placement can’t be too far or close to the ball
- Lock / tighten your ankle and foot
- Tighten your core
- Point your plant foot, hips and shoulders to the target
- Your opposite arm from your shooting foot should come up and away from your body
- Focus on the ball as you approach it
- Bring your heel back to give you more leg weight
- Connect down the middle of the ball, not the right or left side.
- Toes pointed down the whole time striking through the ball
- Follow through after you connect
Proper form when shooting with laces
Before you go out and kick 100 balls, make sure you know proper form.
Using a wall or fireplace is a good way to make sure you have good mechanics… Obviously don’t kick the ball hard, but lightly connect. This helps you make sure your form is good and the connection point on the ball.
What are shooting mechanics?
- Opposite arm out
- Knees bent
- Planting in the right place
- Foot angle correct, not pointed in or out. You need to connect on the top of your foot.
- Knee shouldn’t turn in or out.
- Hips and shoulders facing the target.
- Toes stay pointed down.
Shooting a moving ball
Once you’ve learned proper form and have had some reps hitting dead balls, work on hitting rolling balls.
A common mistake players make when shooting a moving ball is planting too far back…
As you go to plant the ball keeps rolling, so make sure you plant a little further up than you think. This way by the time you connect the ball is even with your plant foot.
Most of the time when striking a moving ball rolling towards the goal you want to get both feet off the ground and land on your shooting leg. By doing this you can get more power, but also look better while doing so.
The momentum you have when running forward and striking the ball will carry you naturally. Not knowing how to land on your shooting foot will not only hinder your shooting, but will look bad.
Watch Cole and Lucas hit both dead and moving balls ⇓
How to lock your ankle
When striking the ball with your laces you want to lock/flex your ankle & foot with your toes pointed down. On the contrary, when using the inside of the foot to kick you point the toes up.
Some things are much easier to watch…
Learning how to lock your ankle is one of them:)
Watch the video ⇓ to learn how.
Best place to practice
Find a wall you can shoot at.
Sure, a goal is fun to use because you see the ball hit the net and you know how accurate you are. But unless you have 10-20 balls, you’ll waste a lot of time retrieving made and missed shots.
Although, using a wall you can always use chalk to mark the goal size [24′ x 8′].
I think better than drawing a goal with chalk is making a small dot or circle to aim at… The feeling you get when hitting a small target is amazing. The confidence transfers over to the practice and game field.
In addition, when using a wall you also improve first touch because the ball comes back to you.
Most people will never know how great kicking the ball against a wall is!
When practicing laces with your weak foot
Shooting with laces takes a lot of time to become great at…
Working with your weak foot is one of the worst feeling… UNTIL you finally get it:)
Usually what happens is the player connects on the outside of the ball. Therefore, misses wide right if shooting with your left.
Most popular blog posts:
- How to strike the ball with more power
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- First touch drills
- How to play more aggressive
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