Soccer Shooting Target Practice
Set up targets in a goal and practice shooting accuracy from different distances and angles — a focused soccer drill for aspiring players.
What You'll Need
- 1Soccer ball
- 2Goal (portable or improvised with cones)
- 3Targets (towels, cones, or water bottles)
- 4Flat outdoor area
What You'll Need
A soccer ball
A goal — portable soccer goal, or two cones 8 feet apart with a crossbar
Targets — towels hung in corners, cones, or water bottles
A flat outdoor area
How to Play
Set up your goal. A portable youth goal is ideal, but two cones 8 feet apart works. If you can rig a crossbar (a rope or broomstick), even better.
Place targets in the corners of the goal. Hang towels from the crossbar, stack cones in the bottom corners, or place water bottles. These give your child specific spots to aim for.
Start close: place the ball on a spot 10 feet from the goal. Shoot 5 balls at the bottom-left corner target. Count how many hit or knock down the target.
Shoot 5 at the bottom-right corner. Record hits.
Move back to 15 feet. Repeat both corners. The extra distance requires more power and more accuracy.
Now shoot from an angle. Approach from the left side at a 45-degree angle and shoot across the goal to the far corner. This is a real game situation.
Approach from the right side and shoot to the far corner. Angled shooting is harder because the target window is narrower.
Tally all hits across all distances and angles. This is your score for the session. Beat it next time.
Tips
Accuracy is more important than power. A perfectly placed shot in the corner beats a powerful shot down the middle every time. Coach your child to aim, then add power.
Use the instep (laces) for power shots and the inside of the foot for accuracy shots. Practice both techniques.
The plant foot matters. The non-kicking foot should point at the target. Where the plant foot points, the ball goes.
Keep a training journal. Record hits per session and track improvement over weeks. Data-driven practice is more motivating than random shooting.
Add a goalkeeper (yourself or a sibling) once accuracy is consistent. Shooting against a moving target is the next level.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 30 min, with 10 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: soccer ball, goal (portable or improvised with cones), targets (towels, cones, or water bottles), flat outdoor area.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 8-12 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Does this need to be done outdoors?
This activity is best done outdoors where kids have space to move and explore.
How difficult is this activity?
This activity has a moderate difficulty level. It may require some preparation or guidance, but is manageable for most families.
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