What is finishing?

Finishing from crosses

When it comes to finishing from a cross, a player will need to select which part of their body to use as the ball will arrive in a number of different ways – along the floor, just off the ground or above head height, for example.

There are a number of key factors players will need to master no matter how the ball arrives and what part of the body they use. 

The timing of the player’s movement to meet the cross at the right moment is crucial. If they make the movement too early, the ball will either go behind them or they will have to stop and wait for it to arrive, making it a lot more difficult to adjust their body position and guide the ball goalwards. 

By timing their run correctly, a player can arrive and make contact with the ball just as it travels in front of them. This then usually results in the player having the correct amount of space between them and the ball required to perform the technique they will use to try to finish, whether a header or a side-foot volley, for example.

Being on the move and traveling towards the goal as a player executes a finish means the finish is more likely to be on target, as the part of the body they use to make contact with the ball will be pointing towards goal.

"The timing of a player’s movement, to meet the cross at the right moment, is crucial..."

Because they are so close to the goal with this type of finish, players are not required to generate much power. Placement and accuracy of the finish should be the main focus. 

If players can guide the ball into a specific area of the goal, it can make it almost impossible for the goalkeeper to make the save.

The most effective place to direct the ball is into the bottom corners of the goal. These are the areas which are the most difficult for the goalkeepers to reach, because one will be the furthest point from where the goalkeeper is situated. They are also the areas which it takes goalkeepers the longest amount of time to get to.

To achieve this accuracy in their placement, the player needs to ensure that whichever part of the body they are using is pointed towards the area of the goal that they want the ball to go. Firm and clean contact will then direct the ball to this area of the goal.

The other option available to the player is to place the ball in the area of the goal that the goalkeeper has just vacated. 

As the ball travels across the penalty area, the goalkeeper will travel in the same direction and therefore their body weight and momentum will be moving this way. The goalkeeper will not have enough time to readjust if the ball is placed in the area they have just come from.

Shooting

Shooting mainly refers to shots from within the penalty box.

In these instances, players are unlikely to have much time or space to execute the shot. Therefore, when receiving a pass, the player will need to keep the ball close to them and get their shot off quickly. Doing so requires small and minimal touches. 

The key to the touch is to place the ball in an area where there is nothing stopping it from reaching the goal – in other words, away from defenders.

At the same time, it needs to be kept relatively close to the player so that the shot can be executed quickly before the space is closed down. The whole process has to be completed swiftly, almost as one individual action.

The power in the finish needs to be generated through follow through with the kicking foot. The non-kicking foot and arms provide the balance, which helps with both accuracy and power. Leaning over the ball will help to ensure the finish stays low and does not go over the crossbar.

This is particularly important as when players look to generate power they will naturally lean back. As a result of this, the follow through will go in an upwards motion, meaning the ball will also go in this direction. 

Another way in which players can generate power while also keeping the shot low is by using the laces part of the foot or boot and pointing their toes towards the floor. 

If the player finds themselves inside the penalty box with some space - for instance, if they are played through by a team-mate and they enter the box with no defenders in front of them - they may have more time to execute the shot. At this point, the technique is similar to that used for a long-range finish.

Long-range finishing

Long-range finishing takes place outside of the penalty box.

A player is likely to have a bit more time and space than when shooting and can afford for the ball to be a bit further away from them.

This allows the player to step into the shot, producing more of a back lift and follow through with the kicking foot. This results in more opportunity to generate power and movement. 

"Leaning over the ball helps ensure the finish stays low and does not go over the crossbar..."

Developing a player’s finishing skills

The numerous different ways in which a player can score a goal can make finishing a difficult topic to coach.  .
Often, practices involve a coach or server positioned central to the goal, setting a ball back for a player to run onto and attempt to finish, usually with a first-time shot. 

Though this will definitely help players practice finishing with power and accuracy, if we consider the game of soccer, how often do players actually shoot at goal in this way?

How many times do they shoot from a position straight in front of the goal from a ball that has been played back to them?

It is highly unlikely that any one shot scenario is repeated during the game. Therefore, repeating the exact same shot over and over again is probably not the most effective way of preparing players for what they will face on matchday.

Giving players opportunities to finish in different situations and in different ways will better prepare them to successfully execute when the time comes in a match.