As many newer coaches continue on with their efforts to learn how to coach soccer they will have to deal with the issue of taking shots at the goal.  Surprisingly, for many young players this is an area they have real problems with.  It puts your team in a situation where they control the ball, play stingy defense, yet find themselves on the losing side of the scoreboard at the end of the match.

Problems with taking shots on goal fall into two ends of the spectrum; players who never saw a shot they didn’t like, and players that will try for one more dribble or pass even if they have an open shot.  Either way the result is that your team gives the ball back to the opponent.  Learning how to coach soccer players to score requires that you understand the two extremes, and help your team overcome the problems.

The first problem comes when the player believes that they are the only person that can take a shot, and they will take the shot regardless of whether the shot is really there or not.  Once they cross into the attacking third of the field, they begin to look for the goal.  The player could be triple-teamed, with a team mate wide open in front of the net, but they will still try to force the shot.  The result is shots that are easily blocked, or shots that are taken from so far away that the keeper has no problem catching the ball.

The side of that is the player that lacks the confidence to take a quality shot, even when it is staring them in the face.  This player could be wide open with a great look at the goal, but will insist on trying to dribble just a little closer.  They will also look to make one more pass, often times to a player that is in a worse position to take the shot.  The result is usually that the defense has time to get into position to take away or block the shot.  Just like with the person that insists on taking bad shot, at the end of the play there is not a score and the opponent comes away with the ball.

Learning how to coach soccer is a mix of joys and frustrations.  As you continue to teach your players what it takes to win, the good times will very much outweigh the bad.  Teaching your players how to take appropriate shots on goal will be a big step in that direction.