What Is a Soccer Shot Map and How to Use It
A soccer shot map plots every shot's location on the pitch, revealing where chances come from and whether a team creates high-quality attempts or relies on low-percentage efforts.
Location patterns
Shot maps show whether attempts cluster in high-xG zones or come from distance.
Quality over quantity
Many shots from outside the box can mask a lack of clear chances.
Player and team splits
Compare who shoots, from where, and with what outcome.
What shot maps reveal
- Shot location and distance from goal
- Body part used and shot outcome
- xG value per shot to show chance quality
- Player-level and team-level shot distribution
Shot map scope
- Shot location
- Outcome
- xG value
- Player splits
Why shot maps matter
Shot count alone is misleading — a team with 20 long-range efforts may create less danger than one with 5 shots inside the box. Shot maps with xG context show the true quality of chance creation, helping coaches evaluate attacking patterns with evidence.
BuildUp approach
- Per-shot locations
- xG-weighted maps
- Player and team splits
- Video-linked shots
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