| Scoring soccer goals isn't all about skill, it has a lot to | | | | farthest from the ball) or the Far Midfielder to play off |
| do with hustle, teamwork, winning the ball, the soccer | | | | the "Far Post " when you attack. In every game will be |
| formation and style of play you use, and your ability as | | | | 3 or 4 good scoring opportunities off the Far Post. The |
| a coach to motivate your team and to put players in a | | | | key is to hold position and to be patient, alert, |
| position where they can help your team score. You | | | | opportunistic and to take quick one-touch shots before |
| can't turn unathletic players into great athletes or | | | | the Goalie can recover. Another advantage is that this |
| greatly improve the skill of players who don't come to | | | | player has a better view of the field than any |
| soccer practice, but below is a list of 9 things you can | | | | defender since it is impossible for a defender to be |
| do that will help your soccer team score more goals: | | | | between this player and the goal and watch the ball |
| 1. Encourage players to hustle and be alert. That is | | | | and the Far Post attacker at the same time. This is |
| critical. | | | | why crosses to the Far Post are so effective and are |
| 2. Teach your soccer players to be brave, win the ball | | | | one of the most effective tactics against a great, |
| and reward this behavior. If you don't, you will lose to | | | | quick goalie. NOTE: On a cross, if you play 3 Forwards, |
| teams that do. I coached boys teams and gave out | | | | you should have the Far Forward play off the Far |
| small red soccer ball patches (which they called "Blood | | | | Post and the Center Forward play the Center of the |
| Patches" and could iron on their jerseys) to those who | | | | goal, but if you only play 2 Forwards, you should have |
| played with toughness and bravery or really hustled to | | | | the Far Forward play the Center of the goal and the |
| win the ball. This patch was coveted. You can find | | | | Far Midfielder play off the Far Post. At very advanced |
| those patches online. | | | | levels, an attacker such as the Center Forward can |
| 3. Encourage teamwork and support. For example, | | | | play off the Near Post, but it is better for Recreational |
| teach the concepts of " First Attacker", "Second | | | | Forwards to position at the Center of the goal |
| Attacker", and "Third Attacker". | | | | because it is easier to score there. |
| 4. Encourage following shots for rebounds. | | | | 8. Encourage quick one-touch shots by players who |
| 5. Encourage your Forwards to aggressively pressure | | | | are in front of the goal and have a chance to score. |
| the ball when they lose it in the "Attacking Third" and | | | | Your attackers will often have an opportunity to score |
| try to win it back. If they are called for a foul, it won't | | | | on a one-touch shot but will be shut down if they try to |
| hurt you since the ball is far away from your goal. | | | | dribble or even two-touch. |
| 6. Bring up "numbers" on your attack. Try to get | | | | 9. Try "Short Corners" 50% of the time. Your chances |
| several Forwards into the Penalty Box and two | | | | of scoring on short corners are better than on long |
| midfielders just outside The Penalty Box for support. | | | | corners and you will improve your chances of scoring |
| One way to move Forwards up is to attack down the | | | | when you try a long corner by keeping the opposing |
| side and then try to cross the ball to the area in front | | | | defense off balance. A "Short Corner" means to |
| of the goal. As long as attackers stay behind the ball | | | | make a short pass to put the ball into play, whereas a |
| they aren't "offside". | | | | "Long Corner" is a long kick to the goal front. |
| 7. Encourage the "Far Forward" (i.e., the Forward | | | | |