taking long and accurate and DAMN powerful shots

Have your knee over the ball when you shoot. Point your planted foot in the direction you want the shot to go. For power, swing the lower leg as your calf is moving forward. Always follow through, unless you're trying to chip the keeper.

Most importantly... PRACTICE. For the last 3 seasons, I've taken a solid 45 minutes of long-range shooting practice after every training session. It's improved my shooting a lot.

 

For solo practice, take a bunch of balls to a tennis court or shoot a baseball back-stop. The most important thing is form, so start close-in and don't worry too much what the result looks like. Like the previous poster said, head over the ball, knee over the ball, toe pointed down so the ankle is in a locked position.

 

Aren't you supposed to be studying at Caltech?

 

Yes.

It's actually not THAT much practice, considering that we don't train out of season at all. But our season starts a full month before classes start here, and 45 minutes of shooting practice every day for a month is a whole lot of shots.

 

Have you seen Steven Gerrard's goal against Manchester United? If not, then download it somewhere and see it because its picture perfect to the shot you're describing. He's a player I try to model my shot after. Also, see Seedorf's goal in 1997. And when you watch these, watch them over and over again until you see exactly what they're doing. It won't necassarily make you a better shooter, but it can give you ideas and focus on what you're doing wrong. It helps me at least. And something else I've learned about striking the ball over further distance, form is much more important than the actual power.

 

"Also, see Seedorf's goal in 1997. "

That my friend was a golazo about 45 yards out at least. Keeper saw it all the way and still had no chance to save it.

The crowd went wild right after he struck the ball which was a while before he scored.

 

I gotta start doing that when the wather gets better, coz the worst part of my game is definately long powerful shots.

 

My shot resembles DaMarcus Beasley's a lot more than it does the ideal - I swing my hip forward when taking a long-range shot. As long as it's consistent, and as long as it works...

 

CalTech is one of the best schools in the country for science. You must be really disciplined and smart to have time for soccer. Well done.

 

Paul Scholes takes an extended follow-through. While I don't do it myself, jumping is one way to lengthen your follow-through and get more topspin and power on a ball.