BA Soccer Academy

Placement finishing matters.

Watching the games as a fan has been amazing, but I still cannot help myself from breaking things down as a coach.

Out of the goals I have been watching closely, the same thing keeps showing up.

Inside of the foot.

Bending the ball.

Guiding it into corners.

Messi and Ronaldo, yes, they can hit the ball with power. But so many of their goals come down to timing, movement, clean contact, and putting the ball where the goalkeeper cannot reach it.

Power has its place. But if players can learn how to stay composed and guide the ball into corners, they become much more effective in front of goal.

Just my observation from watching the games

Placement. Timing. First touch. Finishing.

Simple reps done consistently can go a long way when it comes to building confidence in front of goal.

one way of approaching finishing inside the box

One thing I emphasize a lot with striking technique is the importance of the first touch before the shot.

In an ideal situation, a good setup touch gives you options. It helps your balance, your body shape, and your ability to execute different types of finishes. Placement shots. Curved finishes. Power shots. Everything becomes easier when the setup is clean.

You are not always going to have a great first touch under pressure. But training this detail consistently can make a huge difference over time.

The main focus of this drill is not actually the shot itself. It is the setup touch before the strike.

Why I like training this way

It keeps the ball and body connected
It builds rhythm and timing
It encourages cleaner, more efficient touches

Players stay more active instead of stopping and resetting

Solo Training ⚽️