That Last Step

All other things equal, shooting hard is good and worth working on.

What are those other things?

• The shot has to be on target

• The shot should happen right away

• The shot should be low, not up high where they are easier to catch

On a hard instep shot, we want to lock our ankle so that our toes are pointed, connect the middle of the ball with the laces of our shoe, and step right through the ball, landing on our kicking leg.

Want more power? Here's another tip for firing the ball harder into the net:

The last step with the plant foot should be a big step, a bigger step.

If you are shooting with the right foot, you want to make the last step with your left leg a long one, stretching out and planting the left foot up along or even ahead of the ball. This will put your right foot farther behind your body.
Then whip that right leg forward and connect.