Preventing players from shooting the ball without aiming

[[EXD] Roderick Feld]

Hi guys,

So, my players tend to shoot the ball like mad when they are close to the opposing goal. The ball of course always ends up bouncing on a opposing player and the team misses way too many chances. I don't have the "shoot on sight" instruction on, so I don't know what is causing this.
Also, it is not restricted to one player but many of them, from strikers to defenders.

Why can't they try to be more careful with the ball and prioritize passing the ball? I can't see any stat that would explain why so many of my players, new and veteran, do that.


Thanks in advance, have a good day!

[Powellinho.72]

what were the results from your recent matches?

also there could be a number of factors why lots of your shots are not ending up in the goal. not every shot will be a perfectly aimed top corner shot. most shots in real life are misses.

work ball into box?
player traits? do they like to shoot from range? do they have the place shots trait? do they have a rather pass than shoot trait ? etc can all effect this.

player instructions you can issue for players is shoot less often etc
the quality of the players themselves. do they have poor mental stats, like poor decisions, are they selfish players etc

[[EXD] Roderick Feld]

Here are some stats from the preseason. I'm now playing in the Premier Division as Sunderland so the early season is of course extremely poor as my team is expected to be relegated. I noticed the trend of these shots I explained in the last season as well.

vs. Bournemouth (lost 0-2) 16 shots, 2 on target
vs. Bavois (won 2-0) 32 shots, 10 on target
vs Lincoln (won 3-1), 16 shots, 6 on target (no issue there)

Here are the stats of my main striker Rafa Mir:

• long shots 12
  
• passing 11
  
• technique 13
  
• anticipation 12
  
• composure 13
  
• concentration 13
  
• decision 13
  
• determination 11
  
• flair 12
  
• off the ball 14
  
• positioning 7
  
• teamwork 10

He has no special trait.
Among the players who often score I only have one who is considered selfish, and he is a rotating player so I don't think he is the reason. However I see that the squad is weak in decision, vision and communication. Could that be a huge influence? I suppose so ...

On a final note, my team is excellent at passing and keeping the ball. I had the best possession and pass completion stats the last two seasons and still do an excellent job in the Premier division against the likes of Liverpool or Chelsea.

[Powellinho.72]

Originally posted by Roderic Rankfeld:

Here are some stats from the preseason. I'm now playing in the Premier Division as Sunderland so the early season is of course extremely poor as my team is expected to be relegated. I noticed the trend of these shots I explained in the last season as well.

vs. Bournemouth (lost 0-2) 16 shots, 2 on target
vs. Bavois (won 2-0) 32 shots, 10 on target
vs Lincoln (won 3-1), 16 shots, 6 on target (no issue there)

Here are the stats of my main striker Rafa Mir:

• long shots 12
  
• passing 11
  
• technique 13
  
• anticipation 12
  
• composure 13
  
• concentration 13
  
• decision 13
  
• determination 11
  
• flair 12
  
• off the ball 14
  
• positioning 7
  
• teamwork 10

He has no special trait.
Among the players who often score I only have one who is considered selfish, and he is a rotating player so I don't think he is the reason. However I see that the squad is weak in decision, vision and communication. Could that be a huge influence? I suppose so ...

On a final note, my team is excellent at passing and keeping the ball. I had the best possession and pass completion stats the last two seasons and still do an excellent job in the Premier division against the likes of Liverpool or Chelsea.

it will defo play a factor in what they decide to do at certain moments in the game. and as u are in a higher division now, the defences are offcourse way better overall. so everything will be harder to pull off.

but yeah maybe u could teach some of the players to look for the pass more often than shooting as you seem to really like this style of football. all the best!

[Powellinho.72]

Originally posted by Diego:

Maybe you got on some position in player instructions engaged option "shoot more often", this have a bad influence sometimes on shooting as you said, also all the things that "oh noes DS" mentioned, especially missing player traits like shoot from distance or bad attributes from a player's long shots, also I noticed that attribute like "Flair" is very important (players with Flair 15+ will score some fabulous goals from distance)

i think flair is something i under rate at times. its not one off the first things i look for in players but my mindset was changing slighty recently.

maybe its because im from the uk and im not a slick fancy samba ( brazilian) footballer guy lol.

[[EXD] Roderick Feld]

I made sure that none of my players have the Shoot more often instruction on. I let just one of my attack midfielder with it because he has 16 long shot stat and he proved that he can score 20 meters goals when he wants to.

My striker is currently improving his flair and vision a lot. As he is just 25 I have hope he can improve in the next two seasons.

Thank you guys, Ohh noes... DS and Diego for your answers!

[Snorks]

What other options are there for the player with the ball? If the supporting players aren't available for a pass then he will most likely shoot.\

If he is on an Attacking or more aggressive mentality will also tend towards shooting over passing, a High tempo or Direct instruction will lead him to look for the forward option rather than sideways or short pass.

It is far more contextual than the simple 'Shoot More Often' instruction.

He will also need decent Decisions,Vision and Technique to see the pass, decide to play it rather than shoot, and the Technique & Passing to pull it off.

The 'Shoot More Often' on or off will make a small difference but he still needs options to pass to that fit and work within your strategy.

[[EXD] Roderick Feld]

Thanks for the advice Snorks. I'll keep in mind all what you and the other guys said. I've been find a better balance betwen my striker and two wingers the last couple of games. And Sunderland is currently one of the surprises of the season as we are mid table so far, although that won't last long.

i'll make a lot of changes at the end of the season regarding the players if the team can stay in the league, and all the advice will be very useful.

[Snorks]

Originally posted by Roderic Rankfeld:

Thanks for the advice Snorks. I'll keep in mind all what you and the other guys said. I've been find a better balance betwen my striker and two wingers the last couple of games. And Sunderland is currently one of the surprises of the season as we are mid table so far, although that won't last long.

i'll make a lot of changes at the end of the season regarding the players if the team can stay in the league, and all the advice will be very useful.

NP - one thing I forgot to mention earlier, is the Player Traits. If he has a trait that leans that way then he will always tend to go for the shot first. Remember, players tend to their traits first, then the PIs then the TIs.