Tips for Scoring Goals in Soccer

A graduate of the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, Clint Groom is the senior design director at American Eagle Outfitters in New York. While in college, Clint Groom competed as a Division 1 soccer athlete, and he still pursues his passion for the game.

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. From the World Cup to the Olympics and the many tournaments in between, the game unites athletes and enthusiasts. Shooting is among the many skills that players must master in soccer. Here are a few tips:

- Aim wide instead of high. One objective of shooting is making the goalkeeper move as much as possible. Because moving up-and-down is easier than moving side-to-side, aim wide when you attempt to shoot a goal. Statistically, soccer players score the most at the bottom left of the net.

- Strike with your shoelaces. While you should never try to hit the ball too hard since this can actually weaken the shot and lead to a block, you should strive for power by striking the ball with your shoelaces.

- Shoot often. In professional leagues, an average of only 13 shots on the goal occurs, and roughly two players actually score. The numbers may vary from league to league, but the principle remains the same: the only way to score goals is to shoot often and with confidence.