The Far-Post Magnet: How to Score the Easiest Goals in Soccer

Imagine your teammate has the ball on the wing. They are dribbling fast down the sideline. They are getting ready to cross the ball into the penalty box.

You want to score. What do you do?

If you are like most players, you run straight toward the ball. You run as fast as you can to the near post. You want to touch the ball first.

But this is usually a mistake. When you run straight to the ball, you run right into the defenders. The goalie is already there. The space is crowded. It is very hard to score when three people are stepping on your toes.

Instead, you need to use the Far-Post Magnet.

What is the Far-Post Magnet?

The far post is the goalpost that is furthest away from the ball. If your teammate is on the right side of the field, the far post is the post on the left.

The Far-Post Magnet is a simple rule: run to the far post, and the ball will find you.

This trick works because of how defenders think. When the ball is wide, every defender turns their head to watch it. Coaches call this "ball watching." When defenders watch the ball, they lose track of you.

Here is why the far post is the best place to be:

• The goalie is busy. The goalkeeper must guard the near post. This leaves the back half of the goal wide open.
• Crosses go long. Most youth players cannot kick a perfect cross to the middle. They usually kick it a little too hard. The ball flies over everyone in the center. If you are waiting at the far post, the ball will drop right to you.
• You can see everything. When you stand at the far post, you can see the ball, the goalie, and the defenders all at once. You do not have to spin around to find the ball.

How to Make the Run

To use this trick, you have to get your timing right. If you run too early, the defenders will see you and block you. If you run too late, you will miss the ball.

Follow these three steps to make the perfect run.

First, do not rush. When your teammate starts dribbling down the wing, slow down. Do not run into the box yet. Wait until your teammate looks up or gets ready to kick.

Second, run in a curve. Do not run in a straight line. Run in a shape like a banana. Start toward the middle of the field, then curve outward toward the back post. This curve keeps you facing the ball. It also keeps you moving. It is much easier to kick a ball when you are already running.

Third, stop in the "sweet spot." This is about three to five yards away from the far post. Do not stand right next to the post, or you will run out of room to kick. Stand a little bit in front of it. Turn your body so your chest faces the teammate with the ball.

Finishing the Play

When the ball comes to you at the far post, you do not need to kick it hard. The goalie is usually on the other side of the goal. The net in front of you is wide open.

Do not try to blast the ball. If you swing too hard, you might miss or kick it over the crossbar. Instead, use the inside of your foot. Just cushion the ball into the net. It should feel like a simple pass into the goal.

Next time your team plays, watch what happens when the ball goes wide. Do not chase the ball. Run to the far post and wait. You will be surprised by how many easy goals land right at your feet.