6 Tips That Strikers Can Learn From the World’s Best Goal Scorers

By: Elena Brielle

Provided by: Amplified Soccer

Soccer is all about scoring goals. The other disciplines are important, a successful side will always have a good, solid defense and a creative midfield, but without a goal scorer they can't be the very best.

A successful striker has a certain instinct to their game, an ability to sniff out a chance and be in the right place at the right time. Whilst some believe it is a natural skill, something that's hard to coach, there are methods by which players can become better.

So, let's have a look at six of the world's top strikers and examine their skillset and what aspiring strikers can learn from them.

Carlos Vela - Mental Strength

The popular Mexican striker has been a huge hit in the MLS, despite struggling in Europe with Arsenal and Real Sociedad. He's nabbed 48 goals in 59 outings for Los Angeles FC and earned the MLS Golden Boot in 2019 with 34 goals, which is a new record.

His journey hasn't been easy and the first tip any player could take comes from the Mexican. Javi Lopez was his manager as a youngster at Salamanca and he told Sky Sports he knew he'd be a hit because he had mental strength.

If you want success, you have to prepare to take the knockbacks when they come.

Jermaine Defoe - Shoot Early

Defoe played for Toronto FC in MLS as well as Tottenham Hotspur in England and Glasgow Rangers in Scotland. He believes that the element of surprise is one of the reasons he's been such a success.

"One of the best things you can do to beat the keeper is get your shot in early," he said in an interview with FourFourTwo. "It sounds simple but every keeper, just before he dives, will jump on the spot to set themselves."

Harry Kane - Movement

Harry Kane captained England to the World Cup semi-final in 2018 and won the tournament's Golden Boot for his scoring exploits. Last season he took Tottenham Hotspur to the Champions League final, only to lose 2-0 to Liverpool. Coral's extensive guide to the 2019/20 Premier League season explains how he's now recovered from an ankle injury that dogged him in the latter stages of last season, including the low-key outing in the final.

Kane admits that some aspects of being a striker are instinctive, but ensuring you move into the right spots is key; "Some movements you do on purpose, for example, when you make a cross.

"Sometimes you do want to move in front to get in behind, even with through balls to come short or go deep, but that's stuff you can train on."

Lionel Messi - Awareness

Few players will ever hope to score as many goals as the Argentinian legend. Plying his trade at Barcelona he's become one of the most recognizable faces on the planet and has scored 619 goals in 727 appearances for the Catalan giants.

He believes awareness is the key to scoring plenty of goals. "You should always be aware of everything around you before you get the ball: the position of the defenders, the goalkeeper, the goal...when you get the ball you choose the best option," he said.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - Pace

Being a striker isn't just about unlocking defenses; as we examined in a recent article on ‘Counter Attacking and the Four Moments of Soccer', sometimes you need raw pace to spring a successful counter attack.

Arsenal and Gabon striker Aubameyang has that in abundance, he's able to hang off the shoulder of the last defender and use his blistering pace to get chances in on goal. This is especially useful if you're a team with a good back line, likely to soak up pressure and clear your lines quickly.

Cristiano Ronaldo - Use Both Feet

One very important aspect of Portugal and Juventus star Ronaldo's game is his ability to be equally as deadly with both feet. Whilst not every aspiring striker can hope to be as good as him, using both feet can be an advantage at any level.

Being able to strike a ball quickly, without having to shift feet or turn your body, can add the element of surprise. Also, if you're looking to get past the last defender, knowing you can go either way effectively gives you an added chance of getting one on one with the keeper.