What Is a Soccer Striker?
A striker is the player whose job is simple: score goals. You’re positioned closest to the opponent’s goal, and you’re the main scoring threat on your team. While your teammates are doing all that fancy passing in midfield, you’re lurking up front like a goal-scoring ninja, waiting to pounce.
In simple terms: strikers are goal scorers. They’re the players who finish off attacking plays and give their team the lead.
Where Do Strikers Play on the Field?
Soccer Striker Positions
In formal soccer terms, strikers are also called forwards, and they’re positioned closest to the opponent’s goal as the main scoring threat on your team.
The most common striker position is centre forward (sometimes called the number 9), who plays right in the middle of the attack.
But depending on your team’s formation, you might also play as a second striker (supporting from slightly deeper) or even as part of a strike partnership with another forward.
Where Do I Stand?
As a striker, you hang out in the attacking third of the field. That’s the bit closest to the goal you’re trying to score in (not your own goal, obviously).
Depending on your coach’s formation, you might be:
- Smack bang in the middle (the classic number 9)
- Playing with a strike partner (double trouble for defenders)
- Flying solo up front (the lone wolf)
- Cutting in from the sides (sneaky and dangerous)
Your coach will use different formations like 4-4-2, 4-3-3, or 4-2-3-1 that change how many strikers play and where. Don’t stress too much about the numbers—just remember: your playground is anywhere near the opposition’s goal.
What Does a Soccer Striker Need to Do?
A striker’s responsibilities include:
- Scoring goals – Your number one job!
- Creating space – Moving defenders around to open up opportunities
- Holding up the ball – Keeping possession while teammates move forward
- Pressing defenders – Putting pressure on the opposition when they have the ball
- Making runs – Timing your movements to get into scoring positions
- Being ready – Always anticipating where the ball might come next
Is Being a Soccer Striker Easy?
Ha! If only. Here’s the truth: everyone expects you to score, defenders literally follow you around like you owe them money, and when you miss an open goal, the entire team will remind you about it for weeks.
But here’s the flip side: when you DO score? When you bury that winner in the last minute? Mate, there’s no better feeling on the planet. Plus, you get to practice cool goal celebrations.
Skills Every Striker NeedsHere’s what separates the goal scorers from the goal… triers: 1. Shooting Power and AccuracyStrikers must shoot accurately, with power, and quickly at angles to beat the goalkeeper. You need to place your shots where the keeper isn’t—corners are your best friend! 2. First Touch Like VelvetThe ball comes to you, you control it instantly, and boom—you’re away. A bad first touch? The defender’s already tackled you. 3. Reading the GameGreat strikers have a sixth sense for where the ball will be. It’s like having goal-scoring superpowers. 4. Speed When It CountsYou don’t need to be the fastest player on the team, but quick bursts of pace to beat a defender? Essential. 5. Ice-Cold FinishingWhen it’s just you and the keeper, can you stay calm? That’s what separates the best from the rest. 6. HeadingBecause sometimes the ball comes through the air, and you need to attack it like you mean it. 7. Confidence (Even When You’re Not Feeling It)Miss five chances? Forget about them. Because chance number six is going in. |
How to Be a Better Striker in Soccer
Improving as a striker is a journey. Here are some practical tips:
Stay hungry for goals
Develop a goal-scorer’s mentality. Always be looking for opportunities to shoot and score.
Work on your timing
Practice making runs at the right moment—not too early (offside!) and not too late (defenders catch you).
Communicate
Talk to your teammates! Let them know when you’re making a run or need the ball played to you.
Study the game
Watch how professional strikers like Sam Kerr (for the girls) or other Australian football legends position themselves and make decisions.
Stay fit
Strikers do a lot of running. Building your endurance means you’ll still be dangerous in the final minutes of the match.
Learn from mistakes
Missed an open goal? Don’t dwell on it. Figure out what went wrong and improve for next time.
Be patient
Not every attack will end with you scoring. Sometimes your job is to create space for teammates.
Kids Soccer Striker Training for Competitive Teams
If you’re playing for competitive school soccer teams or local club teams, your soccer striker training needs to level up. This is where Soccajoeys really shines.
Our Premier 9-11 kids soccer training programs are designed specifically for young players who want to take their game seriously. We teach and train kids the essential soccer skills across every position on the field—because the best strikers understand the whole game, not just their own role. Your child will get hands-on experience trying out different positions, which makes them smarter, more adaptable players who can read the game like a pro.
But here’s what sets us apart: while we believe in developing well-rounded players, we also know that some kids discover a genuine passion for striking. If your child wants to specialise more in the striker role, just let the coach know! We’ll give them extra attention and focused practice in that position, working specifically on things like shooting accuracy, finishing under pressure, and striker-specific movement.
Here’s what our kids soccer striker training focuses on:
Tactical awareness: Understanding different formations and how to position yourself as a centre forward, second striker, or inside forward within each system.
Pattern play: Learning your team’s specific attacking patterns so you instinctively know where to be when your midfielder gets the ball.
Video analysis: Reviewing match footage to improve your positioning, timing, and decision-making in crucial goal-scoring moments.
Strength and conditioning: Building the physical foundation that helps you hold off defenders, win aerial duels, and stay dangerous for the full 90 minutes.
Mental toughness: Developing the resilience and confidence to stay calm under pressure, shake off missed chances, and keep believing in yourself when it matters most.
At Soccajoeys, every kid gets the opportunity to explore, improve, and excel—whether they’re discovering their love for striking or fine-tuning their accuracy to become their team’s main goal-scoring threat.
Building Confidence as a Young Striker
Are you a parent reading? For kids in schools competitive soccer, confidence is everything. Here’s how you can help support your young strikers:
Celebrate effort, not just goals: Praise your child for making good runs, creating chances, and working hard—not only when they score.
Keep perspective: At this age, development and enjoyment matter more than winning. Let them make mistakes and learn.
Encourage practice: Help set up backyard training sessions and make them fun!
Be supportive: Positive encouragement from the sideline (without coaching during the match) helps kids stay confident.
Focus on improvement: Help your child see how they’re developing over time, not just match-to-match results.
Key Takeaways
What we hope you’ve learned:
- Strikers (centre forwards, second strikers, inside forwards) are the main goal-scoring threat
- You need shooting accuracy, first touch, positioning, speed, and confidence
- Practice at home with wall shooting, cone drills, and weak foot training
- Understanding formations and your role within them is crucial
- Mental toughness matters just as much as physical skills
Remember this: Every great striker started exactly where you are—missing chances, making mistakes, feeling frustrated.
The difference? They kept going.
Being a striker is about determination, creativity, and believing you can score even when the odds look tough. With the drills we’ve shared, consistent practice, and support from programs like Soccajoeys, you’ll develop into the goal scorer your team needs.
So lace up your boots and get out there. Every touch, every shot, every practice session makes you better.
Now go score some goals!
The Soccajoeys Way
At Soccajoeys, we understand that every young player develops at their own pace. Whether your child is just starting their soccer journey in kindergarten or refining their skills in primary school competitive teams, we’re here to support their growth both on and off the field.
We cater to kids soccer training for a wide range of age groups, with Preschool Kids aged 3 to 5, Junior Kids aged 6 to 8, and Premier Kids aged 9 to 11.
We believe in making soccer striker training enjoyable, accessible, and age-appropriate. Kids learn best when they’re having fun, building friendships, and feeling encouraged to try new things.
For more tips, training programs, and support for young Australian footballers, visit Soccajoeys—where we help kids develop their soccer skills and love for the beautiful game!
