Why do soccer players miss so many chances?

[hotelis]

When a player just kicks the ball in hopes of scoring from a far instead of passing to a teammate for a better chance? Are soccer players hot headed? I mean scoring opportunities do not come THAT often in a soccer game. Seems that these players get too excited for having an opportunity to score. How about slowing down? In basketball it is called a "court vision" where player passes up a shot and makes a pass for an easy basket. Is there such a term in soccer? Sometimes they do not even look up to see where to aim when taking these shots... Opinions please!

[Vaughany]

Depends on the player I guess. SOme have composure and and are better at decision-making...is why players like Pirlo and Xavi are so good despite not being particularly athletic

[onemoregoal]

I could write a lot but comparing football to basketball? hmm.

There is the term "vision" used in football. Its an attribute of a player, for example Dennis Bergkamp had great "vision" and could be relied upon to make the play or shoot depending on the situation. Some players, though are more selfish. This can be both good and bad.
There are no easy goals in football; at best you are looking at a one on one situation with the goalkeeper - basketball obviously has no keeper lol, so using vision, or slow play and making the right play will truly result in an easy basket.

Another reason is that players could be "testing" the goalkeeper, not necessary shooting to score but checking out the keeper, or indeed checking out there own shooting on that day.

If there was no keeper in football, you will see a lot more slow play and making the right pass. And probably less selfish shots.

[jontebond]

Players shooting far from goal wants to make the highlight real! Period. Low scoring chance but if it goes in, they will get 1,000,000 hits on youtube.

onemoregoal has good points as well.

[easyliving]

I'm guessing you've never played on a soccer field yourself.

[Goat Milk]

i agree with your point somewhat

also a lot of players miss shots badly. it's tough when you're outside the box and the conditions are tough, but you have to hit that shot on target if you're a professional, especially if you're considered a near-elite player. it's terrible. most of the guys that are off target are no names for the most part, but i mean come on, when you're 25 yards outside the box you can't miss the ball 10 yards off the right. That's terrible, and quite pathetic.

There is absolutely no excuse for those types of shots. None.