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Soccer kicking techniques range from basic shooting and passing skills up advanced techniques, such as bending the ball around a wall and overhead kicks. We start with coaching the basic skill of using the instep for kicking at goal, and passing the football. Follow the links for tips on other soccer kicking techniques. The photographs demonstrate the right and wrong way to kick a football. The instep, the part of the foot where the laces are, provides both power and control. The most common mistake made by beginners is to use the toe. Not only is this painful if somebody tackles hard when you are trying to kick, but it is terribly inaccurate. The advantage of the instep is that it presents a flat surface to the ball, and can also be used to make the ball swerve and dip. The non-kicking foot provides support, and should be bent as you kick. When we want to keep the ball on the ground, the head is down, over the ball. The follow-through should be long and smooth, and another useful tip is to approach the kick slightly from the side whenever possible. This basic soccer kicking technique is often overlooked, because it is so simple. The real skill is being able to kick accurately whilst under pressure, and it is far more important to consistently excel at this basic skill than to be able to perform fancy tricks. Useful drills for beginners include passing the ball in pairs over 10-20 metres within a narrow corridor, and for sole training kicking at targets on a wall. |
Use the instep to kick with power and accuracy. 
The toe presents a curved surface to the ball producing little power and little accuracy. |
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Here is a progression that I like to do with practically any aged
player. I have recently used variations of this with a group of U-10
players as well as with the U-16 National Team. Being able to drive a
ball over distance, so that the ball reaches its destination with pace
and accuracy is a skill that is necessary to compete at the higher
levels. There is nothing like seeing a ball “crashing” in to the
back of the net, or a pass being made to a wide open player that is
waiting 50 – 60 yards away from the play. So, listed below is a
progression to follow to teach you the fundamentals of this skill.
Emphasis is placed on getting the proper “surface” of your foot
involved in the process… the “laces”. Once a player establishes
the proper “feel” for the ball with this part of his or her foot,
then the rest is just a matter of practice and developing strength and
timing. This comes from hours of work, alone with the ball. Start way back with the basics.... Take off your shoe and sock. Sit on the floor, with both feet on the floor... knees inside your arms...start by kicking the ball out of your hands (like a punt). But, just do it lightly so that the ball only goes up about 2 feet or so. Make sure that your toe is pointed and that you keep your ankle "locked". Strike the ball with the "laces" part of the foot. If your ball goes up without any spin...or with a little "top" spin... then you are doing it correctly. If the ball comes back towards your face...then try again. Keep doing this over and over...it will develop a good feel for what it is like to hit the ball with your laces. After you have managed that...try hitting the ball twice with the foot. But, make sure that there is still a proper spin...ankle locked...toe pointed. When you get good control it is time to stand up. Now, do the same thing… kick the ball out of your hands (like a punt) but have the ball only go up in the air about 6-7 feet high. Look for the ball going up with no spin again. Keep your foot in that good position. Your knee needs to be slightly bent as well. Kick the ball straight up in the air. Again, you are just trying to get a good feel for the ball. The ball's spin tells you if you are doing it correctly. Then, try to do it with a bounce between each kick. But, still only have the ball go up about 6-7 feet high. It is important that you do this with control instead of power. This is almost like juggling, but let the ball bounce each time. Then, can you do two touches...(each one going up without backspin) between each bounce? Now...progress where you are letting the ball bounce on the ground, then kick it to a friend or against some wall. Still with bare feet! Make sure that you strike the ball when it is on the way down. Hit it with your "laces". Toe pointed, ankle locked. Now, the ball should have "top spin"...and should not go higher than your head. Keep working on this for MANY times. See if you can now work on accuracy and some power. Again, you should be getting a real feel for the ball with your laces. After you do this...it is time to put your shoes back on and try from the ground again. See if there is any improvement... there should be. You should have a real feel for the ball by now! One warning...this takes time!!! Some players that I have worked with on this need a whole season to work things out. Practice correctly!!! It is more important to "practice perfectly" than to kill yourself working frantically and too hard. Take your time. Watch high level games. Watch how the real good players strike the ball. Watch them, then try to copy them! |
THE LOFTED KICK
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The lofted kick is the soccer skill used to play the long ball, cross the ball into the penalty area, and to clear the ball from defense. Apart from the chip, used for short-range kicks, this is the only technique for lifting the ball into the air with real power. This soccer skill uses the instep as for the basic kicking technique, but it is important to strike low down on the ball to generate lift, and to lean back slightly. Beginners sometimes find it difficult to balance properly, and it is important not to fall too far to the side as you kick. Using the non-kicking foot as a firm anchor, and putting your opposite arm out for balance will help. Another useful tip is to try to place the non-kicking foot slightly in front of the ball instead of level with it. It
is important to obtain distance from your kick as well as height. Do not
just kick the ball as high as possible. The object is to kick the ball
high enough to clear any opposition players, but extra height is not
necessary.
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Strike low down on the ball and lean back slightly to generate lift.
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