How to Kick a Soccer Ball

Any soccer player will tell you that they started out kicking the ball with their toe. But they quickly learned that there was a much more effective way to get the soccer ball from point A to point B. If you ever consider playing soccer at a somewhat high level, there are a few things you should know first about how to kick a ball. Here are a few different shots that will help perfect your game.

The Angle Spot Kick

When trying to perfect this kick, the one thing you should know is that the sweet spot for kicking is a little bit above the big toe. Due to its sound nature, it is a good base point for any striking motion. Now, when you actually make contact, it is necessary that you have your foot at a slight angle in comparison to the ball. If you need help visualizing, imagine your foot at around the 1 o’clock position as it meets the ball. This means that while your foot is passing through the ball, it should be pointed down and out. This “sweet spot kick” is probably the most used throughout your soccer career, so it is very important to make sure you have a sound understanding. A mid-fielder will almost always use this trick when trying to feed the ball to a forward. Corner kicks are another good example of this kick.

Straight Kick

Let’s start off by visualizing what actually has to happen. Stand up straight and move your foot so it is directly in front of you. Then place a soccer ball right over your foot. When you release, the ball will hit perpendicular to your foot on the very top. This is where the straight kick will make contact. The reason it is called a “straight kick” is because everything about it is straight. When you are preparing to make this shot, simply remember that all of your laces (not just part of them) have to make contact with the ball. This requires you to keep your foot in a fixed position and not to move it at an angle like previously mentioned in the angle shot. Also, it is important to remember that your leg should almost be like a pendulum in that it will move directly back and forward in a straight line. After the kick is made, you can tell if you did it right because your leg should not wrap around.

Volley Kick

A volley kick, also known as a “straight” volley kick, is very similar to the straight kick as mentioned before. All the rules will hold true when it comes to striking the laces to the ball, but one main difference is that you can make this kick without breaking stride. There should be no hesitation while making this shot, and after the contact is made, the ball should, in theory, travel straight ahead at a low angle. This is by far probably the least taught shot because it is really something that comes with time. After you are comfortable with the soccer ball, you will begin to progress and be able to kick and dribble in full stride.


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