Striker Problems

[Pyn 21]

What are some things a striker needs to have. I have the speed (and tricks if needed), but I want to work on this more. I figured I would have all summer to work on this, plus I'm one of the few all-around players on my club; high school team and I'm hoping to fine tune everything before the high-school sesson. Anything would be appretiated.

[Willio]

Finishing (Power and Accuracy), Ability to time runs, Strength (To hold up ball etc), Heading, First touch, Improve on 1on1's

[Pyn 21]

What are some drills I could do?

[ole21]

i think you should look into what kind of striker u want to be. the rooney type- strong, fearless, hard shot, or the lighter, softer touches, fast, and quick striker like a ronaldo, adu or something like that. what i think is that strikers really don't need a ton of fancy moves, just ones that work and get the defender enough off balance to blow by them. try to study and work on your runs-angling them, circling, and doing whatever you can do to loose your man and give your teammate and option. also work on simple moves with a 15-20 yard explosion. also moves at high speeds, these are simple jouches to get the defender turned around because you cant do anything fancy at such speeds. i would say study rooney and see what it is that he does so well. when it comes to shots-you want to be the guy your team can rely on to put it in the net, that means usually nothing fancy, just make sure you can put the headers away, and be able to place the ball while at top speed. let me know if there's anything else.

[Pyn 21]

Thanks, that help a lot, but just a few questions:

1.) Since I can't watch any of that cause the cable we have (and isn't their season over?) what MLS players or national players should I watch?

2.) What or somethings I can work on by myself, when I'm just kicking a ball around? (IE:Set up a few flags and dribble through them)

I think that's all for now. Thanks.

[Rema]

I'm a striker and well, one obvious one is a good finishing ability (ie: from crosses, short, long, on the run, etc.).

I actually asked a university coach a very similar question recently and he told me: 1v1 (if you can take the opportunity, do it - offensive third of the field especially), individual ball skills (so, I assume that means shooting/dribbling/etc), and physical training (he sent me their fitness program).

Also, if you can, try to get some good quality competition. If you have the opportunity to join a high leveled team or just train with a high leveled team, go for it. Even if you have to ask this team if you can train with them, try it out. You'll never learn anything about good competition and what it takes to get to the "next level" if you're playing crappy teams.

[Pyn 21]

I know that last year, my assist. coach was part of the base team; he invited me to go play with them. So I'm trying to do the same, I'm hoping they will let me play again.

[rio_georgio]

don't forget core strength and stability. u'll need that to prevent being pushed around by pushy defencemen, but if ur fast enough, u shouldn't need to worry about that.

[smithxi]

Finishing (Power and Accuracy), Ability to time runs, Strength (To hold up ball etc), Heading, First touch, Improve on 1on1's

i say exactly what willio said...

Finishing...It's crucial, and that little bit of extra energy is always needed. when you said that it made me think of a player on my team. All around strong guy. well cordinated, good head balls, aggressive. I'm more the graceful striker as much as i hate it. I rarely get a head on a ball in a game.
:fed-up:

[ole21]

Thanks, that help a lot, but just a few questions:

1.) Since I can't watch any of that cause the cable we have (and isn't their season over?) what MLS players or national players should I watch?

2.) What or somethings I can work on by myself, when I'm just kicking a ball around? (IE:Set up a few flags and dribble through them)

I think that's all for now. Thanks.
ok, so i'd watch rooney a lot for his core strength and agressiveness and then watch other forwards for run ideas. i was thinkin about this and i'd say the most important thing is just confidence. if you can have enough confidence to put yourself out there like rooney, take a guy on and beat him by pure speed, or just bein the guy that wants the ball and will create something, even if that's just laying it off to a teammate. so to do this go into games loosley, don't be uptight, cuz it's not gonna be the end of the world if you loose or you get the ball stolen from you, just go out there to have fun and believe in youself.
in practice work on beating a cone and then accelerating. also your shots, just make it game speed drills that are similar to common situations on the field. one more thing: your core strenth is critical to your rooneyness. that means work intensly on your core-under you abs so not just crunches. also work you legs and back a lot, so you will never be pushed off a ball.

[Pyn 21]

Okay. Thanks for all the advice. This all really helps.

[Rickster]

rooney is a good example. but another good example is v.nistelrooy bcos hes a striker tat takes tap-ins n scores inside the box who is clinical meaning if he took a shot he was sure to score... these kinda strikers u wana watch oh where they position themselves b4 the ball is laid into yur path. watch on where they r b4 the ball is passed n watch how they get to the through balls, ull see their runs n positioning on the field. gud striker to watch...

[ole21]

good point

[Rema]

Just adding on, Shevchenko is another good player to watch aswell.

[Rickster]

finally i get a good point :D