Goal-Scoring Beyond Chance: Inside Peter Schreiner’s Strategic Shooting Training

In this interview, we talk with Peter Schreiner, a renowned coaches instructor, addressing the undervalued aspect of goal-scoring training, Schreiner emphasizes the critical need for dedicated practice in converting scoring opportunities into goals.

SC: Hello Peter, a direct question first, is there a need for training in shooting on goal?

Peter Schreiner: In my opinion, a clear yes! One of the most common statements you hear after a game is, “We played well, but unfortunately didn’t capitalize on our chances.” As coaches, we’ve all been in the situation where, even after creating a perfect scoring opportunity, the ball just doesn’t cross the line, and we would have liked to sub ourselves in. At least in my case, that would no longer be a good idea. The foundation for a successful goal completion is already laid in training, and this is exactly where my shooting training comes in.

SC: So, you see a clear deficit in capitalizing on scoring opportunities?

Peter Schreiner: When we look at the Bundesliga season 2021/2022, Borussia Dortmund is in first place with a chance conversion rate of 14.3%, Bayern is in fourth with 10.5%. I think there’s still a lot of room for improvement, in youth, amateur, and professional levels.

SC: How did you come up with the idea of training for shooting on goal?

Peter Schreiner: I have been dealing with the topic of “goal shooting training” for quite some time and, already 15 years ago, together with Norbert Elgert (most successful Youth-Coach in German Football History) we dedicated a whole chapter “The Art of Attacking Soccer” to shooting in football.

Over the past few years, I have very specifically collected training forms and theoretical foundations from around the world, tested them with various youth teams, and incorporated them into my program, which has become increasingly comprehensive.

A key moment was certainly the Derbystar Coaches Congress in 2019. We had invited Otto Rehhagel as a guest speaker, and at the congress, he and I had the chance to exchange ideas extensively, including about shooting on goal. In his opinion, there was a clear deficit in capitalizing on scoring opportunities and that this aspect was not being trained thoroughly enough. This encouraged me to continue working on my concept.

SC: You have presented your concept of shooting training at numerous congresses and seminars. Which presentations particularly stand out in your memory?

Peter Schreiner: A highlight for me was my lecture in 2019 at AEFCA, the European coaches association, where Massimiliano Allegri and Gerard Houllier also spoke. The feedback was overwhelming and I received further invitations to congresses and training sessions in several countries. Two seminars with practical demonstrations particularly stand out in my memory, one at Red Star Belgrade and the other at the Vorarlberg Football Association, each of which invited me twice.

But the trips to Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, China, and Dubai are also unforgettable.

SC: How is your shooting training exactly structured?

Peter Schreiner: My shooting training unfolds across 8 learning levels. This progression is designed to equip players with the necessary skills to refine their shooting technique, essentially allowing them to avoid common mistakes and perfect their approach towards scoring goals. The objective is to eliminate random or ineffective shots during both training and matches.

The foundation of this training regime was a comprehensive study of ‘Shooting Training’ and ‘Individual Training for Strikers,’ where I analyzed over 1500 goals from Europe’s top scorers. This research laid the groundwork for a training concept.

SC: Is there a particular age group you recommend starting with?

Peter Schreiner: We start young, at 7 years old, initiating the systematic development towards becoming a goal-scorer and progress through the levels, reaping benefits particularly in the high-performance sector. Of course when you start at such a young age, the training approach differs from training with older children or adults. At such a young age it is more about the enjoyment of physical activities and having fun. Each learning level adapts to the specific needs of each age group.

For example the first four learning levels, are providing a foundation with basic exercises for beginners and advanced players, integrating multiple actions like shooting, and introducing complex training formats.

From the basic execution of shooting a stationary or rolling ball into the goal, advancing through more complex exercises like shooting after a sequence of passes, to the application of shooting under various conditions such as time pressure, opponent pressure, and in competitive match-like situations, the training evolves. Each level is designed to gradually increase in complexity, adding layers to the players’ abilities, and ensuring they are well-equipped to score goals under any circumstance they face on the pitch.

SC: What have you planned for the future?

Peter Schreiner: I have further expanded my goal shooting training with various topic-specific books and am currently working on the topic of two-footedness, a skill that is crucial not only for strikers but for all players.

We thank Peter Schreiner for taking the time to talk to us. His goal shooting training is now also available in our store!