5 football shooting drills you can practise alone

What do you need?

A ball, a secure goal and two markers. Warm up first. Start at a distance where you can control your shot; the penalty spot is one option. You don’t need to hit at full power.

1. Pick a low corner

Choose one bottom corner. Take five shots with the inside of your foot, letting the ball rest before each attempt. Count how many reach that part of the goal. Repeat on the other side.

2. Compare inside foot and laces

From the same spot, shoot five with your inside foot and five with your laces. Use the same target. Record each set separately, then watch the contact on video. See when to use each surface.

3. Give your other foot its own set

Move closer if you need to. Take five controlled shots with your less-used foot. Count its results separately. Use that same distance next time so you can compare like for like.

4. Call the target before you shoot

Alternate low left and low right, saying your target aloud before each of five shots. Count shots that reach the intended corner, not just any goal. The recording keeps your intention separate from the outcome.

5. Repeat from a little further back

Repeat drill 1 from a second spot. Mark both positions so you can use them again. Count each distance separately. If control drops, return to the closer spot rather than adding more power.

What should you record?

Note the drill, foot, distance, target, attempts and hits. Five shots is a useful short set, not enough to prove improvement. Keep misses in the video too.

Film from behind with the player, ball and whole goal in view. The phone should stay still. If shots keep rising, read why shots go over the bar.

Sweetspot’s analysis is experimental. A person checks each analysis before it is delivered.

Technique background: England Football’s guide to finishing techniques. The five practice setups and repetitions above are Sweetspot’s suggestions.