Soccer Chip Shot

The Soccer chip shot is usually used to catch the goalkeeper by surprise by chipping the ball over the keeper into the net. Strikers use this shot when they see the goalkeeper has left their line leaving space above and beyond the keeper.

Typically the striker will be around the edge of the box and looks up to see that the keeper has come off his line to narrow the angle for a shot and/or to prepare to deal with a cross. Instead of choosing power (instep shot) or accuracy (placement shot) the striker chooses the chip shot. This may be because the path to goal is blocked with defenders, so instead of attempting to shoot through them, the striker elects to chip the ball over them and the goalkeeper into the goal.

Here are the key points when carrying out the chip shot:

Angle of Approach. The angle of approach with a chip shot tends to more straight on than from an angle. Remember there is an element of surprise to the chip shot, so the angle of approach needs to be figured out quickly.

The standing foot should be no more than 3-4 inches to the side of the ball and should be slightly behind the ball to allow the striking foot to get under the ball.

The key to the chip shot is the stabbing motion of the kicking foot. This is achieved by a downward thrust of the striking foot with little or no follow through.  This produces a back spin on the ball.

If the chip shot is being used for a longer ranged shot to chip the ball over the keeper who is off his line, then the shot will have to produce a lot of height very quickly. The back spin allows the ball to then drop quickly into the net once it has beaten the goalkeeper.

If the chip shot is being used to chip the ball over the keeper in a one on one situation, often the keeper spreads himself at the oncoming attacker, and the chip shot needs to just chip over the keeper who is no longer as tall, so it is in fact an easier shot. It is made slightly more difficult because the striker is running with the ball at speed, and the goalkeeper is advancing towards the striker at speed, so the chip shot needs to be executed very quickly.

So, make sure you practice this shot, it is very effective, often looks amazing when executed correctly and will be one to remember every now and then. It is just another one of the ways of scoring goals and if you practice it often enough it just might add a couple of goals to your tally for the season.

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