Being a striker is no easy task. It is one of the most difficult positions to play on the field. It can be one of the most rewarding positions as well. Strikers play a key role in the attack for their team. Their main responsibility is scoring goals.
This week, Blayze coach Zoe Morse brings you tips on how you can develop your skills to be an outstanding striker for your team.
Technical Skills
⚽Ball Control – Before you can shoot the ball, you need to control it. Practice trapping and controlling passes from different angles and heights. Practice dribbling through obstacle courses. The tighter the turns, the better.
🥅Shooting – Work on different types of shots: volleys, half-volleys, chips, drive shots, and placed shots. Aim for both power and accuracy. To improve accuracy, place ten objects around the penalty box aiming for each one.
🧑🏾🤝🧑1v1 Situations – Often as a striker, you’ll face defenders one-on-one. Practice dribbling past a defender or using quick movements to create space for a shot.
😣Heading – Improve your aerial ability by practicing headers from crosses, both standing jumps and running jumps.
Physical Fitness
🏃♂️Speed and Agility – Implement sprinting drills and agility ladders into your training. Being quicker than your mark can make all the difference.
💪Strength – Core and leg strength are vital. Incorporate squats, lunges, and core workouts into your regimen.
🏃🏼Stamina – As a striker, you need to be as sharp in the 90th minute as you are in the 1st. Interval running can help mimic the stop-and-start nature of soccer.
Mental Skills
👀Game Awareness – Understand when to make runs and which runs to make. Study top strikers and observe their positioning and decision-making.
🤩Confidence – Always believe in your ability. Even when you miss, having the confidence to try again is crucial for a striker.
💪Pressure Handling – Practice scenarios where you’re under pressure. Penalty shootouts or last-minute free kicks can help train your mind to stay calm under pressure.
Tactical Understanding
⚽Off-the-ball Movement – Understand how to drag defenders out of position or when to make a run behind the defensive line.
🧑🏾🤝🧑Combination Play – Develop chemistry with your teammates. One-twos, overlaps, and quick passing sequences can help you break down tight defenses.
💪Adapting to Defenses – Understand different defensive setups (4-4-2, 5-3-2, etc) and strategize how to exploit their weaknesses.
Feedback
🎥Video Analysis – Watch recordings of your games. Identify areas of improvement and also recognize what you’re doing well.
👄Seek Feedback – Regularly ask for feedback from coaches, teammates, and even opponents.
By incorporating these strategies and maintaining consistent practice, you’ll find yourself improving as a striker over time. Remember to always stay motivated and enjoy the process.
Do you have a question that you want answered? Reply to this email with your question and you might see it answered in our next newsletter!
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