Shooting (association football)

Niclas Jensen shoots for goal in a match for F.C. Copenhagen against FC Vestsjælland.

In association football, shooting is a specialized kicking technique mainly used by forwards. The purpose of shooting is to get the ball past the goal line (usually beating the goalkeeper in the process), though some shots may be made in order to win corners or force the keeper to deflect the ball into the path of a teammate - this will only be the case if scoring directly from the shot seems unlikely.

Shooting is easily the most common way for goals to be scored. It is done using the feet; using the head, i.e. heading the ball, is the second most common way in which goals are scored.

Types of shots

• Instep drive: This shot is done with the laces and is the widely used shot to shoot with, the ball is struck through with the laces or the top part of the foot. The shot is powerful but usually inaccurate.
• Swerve shot: This shot is made using the side of the foot and is usually but not exclusively used in free kicks. The ball bends or swerves in such a way that it beats the keeper, the only drawback is that it lacks power.
• Chip shot: Also known as the lob, this shot focuses on getting the ball to a certain amount of vertical height, where the goalkeeper can't reach it and then have it come back down again into goal, it takes a certain amount of technique and precision to do and players such as Raúl González, Alessandro Del Piero and Lionel Messi have made it trademark moves.

• Having a Duffy: Taking a shot from distance (Scottish Vernacular)
• Knuckleball: A freekick that has no spin and has erratic movement, Cristiano Ronaldo is well known for this technique, he also uses this technique in open play when shooting from distance, Juninho Pernambucano is also a well-know dead ball specialist who uses this technique.