Soccer Coaching - How To Create The Perfect Striker

By Author: John Gibbons
Total Articles: 3
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In soccer, one of the most important, entertaining and rewarding player positions is the striker - also known as the forward.

A quality striker can be the deciding factor as to whether a team is victorious, by having capitalised on their chances or unfortunate losers by having not converted their chances.

Therefore it is imperative the clubs source or develop their own quality strikers from a young age, through the correct individual soccer coaching approach that should be implemented in their soccer academy.

The correct methodology to creating a competent, resourceful and productive striker is to concentrate on shooting and the technique of shooting.

For example, shooting encompasses technique, skill and attitude as it's main attributes. You cannot create a quality striker without those foundational building blocks being there.

The striker must also be coached on shots off target, low shots, scissor kicks and balls moving away from the goalkeeper.

It musts also be noted that a striker's task isn't primarily just shooting, he must also ...
... be inventive and a capable dribbler. He must understand when to make runs, whether cross over play or attacking the blind side.

The shooting technique must address balls that are moving towards, away and across the striker. How these balls are intercepted and lodged forward towards the goal. These aspects are fundamental pillars of soccer coaching and every soccer academy must address them.

A striker must also be coached on how to react when under pressure, how to maximise productivity in these situations.

The most critically important trait a striker must possess in soccer is decision making, when to shoot and when not to shoot. This is the determining factor in the productivity of a striker.

The striker coaching program must be conducted first without pressure - that is the coaching of the shooting technique. After the striker has correctly learned the shooting technique, pressure should gradually be added in the form of 1v1, 1v2, 1v3 etc.

The progression from training will be to a small sided game training session. Once the player has exhibited learned techniques in training, he will also demonstrate them in game situations.

Once the physical aspect has been sorted, the coach will be able to determine if there are any psychological issues with the player and address them.

It can also be helpful to show the striker videos of his previous games, so flaws in technique and decision making can be highlighted and corrected. Repetition is the key to success in football and as the old adage goes, practice makes perfect.

Creating a perfect striker is a long-term approach but with very tangible and rewarding results. In today's soccer market, clubs often spend millions on securing strikers due to immense value to the team and in attracting spectators by providing entertainment.

This carefully planed and detailed approach will guarantee any club and their soccer academy the continuous creation of valuable strikers who will be an asset to any team in the world.