Finishing
Starting with the obvious, all good strikers need to be able to finish.
Finishing encompasses a lot of different skills from technique to timing and composure.
First Touch
Perhaps not as obvious as finishing ability, but arguably just as important to a striker is a solid first touch.
Without a strong first touch, the opportunity to shoot may be taken away from you before it has even arrived.
A good first touch allows strikers to execute shots well.
It can give you time, space, and most crucially, options.
The ball will rarely arrive nicely at your feet so it’s important to become accustomed to controlling the ball in the air, positioning yourself to receive a pass, and learning when and when not to take a heavy touch.
Link-up Play
Today’s modern formation often operates with just one striker up top, but this doesn’t make link-up play any less important.
Being able to bring your teammates into play with clever passing and movement will make a striker that much better.
Passing may not be the most important attribute to a striker but being able to consistently and accurately play short five-yard passes makes a world of difference.
A striker who cannot execute basic passes risks breaking down attacking moves and costing their team possession and momentum.
Spatial Awareness
Easily overlooked, yet absolutely vital for the best strikers is a strong sense of spatial awareness.
Movement off the ball can be just as crucial as movement with the ball and this all comes down to understanding space.
Confidence
The intangible quality that separates the best from the rest.
Confidence can make or break a striker and is often the missing ingredient for misfiring stars.
Starting with the obvious, all good strikers need to be able to finish.
Finishing encompasses a lot of different skills from technique to timing and composure.
First Touch
Perhaps not as obvious as finishing ability, but arguably just as important to a striker is a solid first touch.
Without a strong first touch, the opportunity to shoot may be taken away from you before it has even arrived.
A good first touch allows strikers to execute shots well.
It can give you time, space, and most crucially, options.
The ball will rarely arrive nicely at your feet so it’s important to become accustomed to controlling the ball in the air, positioning yourself to receive a pass, and learning when and when not to take a heavy touch.
Link-up Play
Today’s modern formation often operates with just one striker up top, but this doesn’t make link-up play any less important.
Being able to bring your teammates into play with clever passing and movement will make a striker that much better.
Passing may not be the most important attribute to a striker but being able to consistently and accurately play short five-yard passes makes a world of difference.
A striker who cannot execute basic passes risks breaking down attacking moves and costing their team possession and momentum.
Spatial Awareness
Easily overlooked, yet absolutely vital for the best strikers is a strong sense of spatial awareness.
Movement off the ball can be just as crucial as movement with the ball and this all comes down to understanding space.
Confidence
The intangible quality that separates the best from the rest.
Confidence can make or break a striker and is often the missing ingredient for misfiring stars.
