The same pattern emerges, just in reverse. Zones 5 (45%) and 6 (37%) have twice the conversion rate of Zones 1 (21%) and 2 (17%). The same discussion about goalkeeper position can also be applied here. Another thing that is interesting here is the higher conversion percentages at the near post (17 & 21%). These figures are slightly higher than their counterpart (Right Zone section above) and could be partially explained by:

A lot of players’ right-footed shots which are taken as a possible result of cutting back in from the left. Possibly direct free-kicks from the left zone. A right-footed player may just want to curl the ball over the wall at the near post to score, rather than going across goal to beat the keeper.

I think it is fair to say that these results are quite important to note. Not saying that coaches and players do not know this, yet they might not be as aware of the number. It seems that shooting across the goal from tight angles (either from the Left or Right Zones) has a higher chance (two to three times higher) of conversion than going for the near post of that same area. By the way these results agree with Trainor’s article above.

If you think about it, that curling shot that bends away from the keeper and lands across goal, is a classic example. I mean how many times have we seen a player like Arjen Robben do that in his career? I have already mentioned that placing shots towards the far post at an angle can reap benefits of double or triple the conversion rate than versus the near post. Though why may that be?

I think it may primarily be down to the angle that presents itself in the ‘heat of the moment’ before a shot is taken. If you are running towards the goal from a small angle from either zone (Left/Right) into the 18-yard box, the goalkeeper will no doubt be coming out to try and pressure you and thereby reduce the angle of the near post. This leaves quite a substantial angle open to place the ball into the far corner (unless you round the keeper). Now none of this is conclusive on any front, just an explanation of what the data could be telling us. This is where video is essential to help coaches and analysts understand what happened in the ‘heat of the moment’.

If the above passage does not make sense to you, then hopefully this video will help explain it. The video shows an example where because of the angle presented to New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips, he chose to place the ball into the far corner. This goal was scored from the 2016 MLS season.