How To Kick A Soccer Ball and The US High School Sports Show

 

How to Kick a Soccer Ball

• By Kieran Furse
 

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Kicking a soccer ball is a generalized term that is an extensive topic. Unlike kicking in other sports such as football or rugby, where a 'punt' accounts for most of the kicks, in soccer, there are hundreds of different kicks depending on the situation.

Despite this fact, kicking a soccer ball is a factor of soccer that is not taught as in-depth as it should be. In this article, we will cover how to perform a perfect soccer kick in all situations on the field. This includes:

➢ First touch

➢ Short and long passing

➢ Putting curl and spin on the ball

➢ Power shooting 

➢ Chipping the ball

➢ Knuckle Ball

Without a strong foundation in kicking a soccer ball, the rest of the skills that you will learn later in your career will be more challenging to pick up. Luckily, you have come to the right place. After reading this article, you will have all the pieces to kick a soccer ball like the pros correctly.

1. First Touch

Undoubtedly the most overlooked skill in the game of soccer. Without a great first touch, it does not matter how good your second touch is. You would not be able to play as quickly or with as high quality if you had a good first touch. 

What does a good first touch look like?

A good first touch ultimately must set you up for success in whatever your pre-planned play is. This means it must be:

➢ Directed the way you want to pass or dribble

➢ Out of reach of defenders

➢ Out from under your feet to allow you to move and play at pace

Now the tricky part… How do you kick the ball in this situation to set you up to play how you want?

The key is to be as delicate as possible. Imagine you are playing soccer on the second story of an apartment, and you don't want to wake the person below you. You can use the outside, inside, laces, or sole of your foot depending on the way the ball is coming to you, but the idea of a good first touch is to take the pace off the ball and direct it 1-2 feet in front of your intentional stride.

How to Improve your First Touch?

Most of your soccer heroes learned the beautiful game on the street with little to no equipment. Improving your first touch can be done as simply as kicking it against a wall. Each time the ball comes back to you, you can touch it in a different direction to work both feet. As you improve, you can start to add more power to challenge your touch. From the image below, you can see the simplicity of the day and how repetition is essential.

If you have more players to work with, you can begin to pass the ball to each other to make the drills more three-dimensional. For example, here is Coach Michler explaining a drill that works on the technical aspects of a first touch and pass.

2. Short and Long Passing

Short passing is the most common kick in the game of soccer. It allows teams to move the ball to a more favorable area of the field. Long passing is less frequent as it serves a more specific purpose, such as relieving pressure or counterattacking. 

These forms of passing require the same focus and foundation of kicking. However, they do differ in some forms. 

1st Difference

When kicking the soccer ball for a short pass, you want to get over the ball. This means my body is tilted over the ball, and I am kicking towards the top of the ball. We want to do this, so the ball stays firm to the ground to make it easier for our teammate to control it. An ideal zone to kick the ball would be here.

For a long pass, you will most likely want to put height on the pass to place the ball over the head of defenders and reach your target. This means you need to aim more to the bottom of the ball. You will also need to kick the ball with much more force to allow the ball to travel further.

2nd Difference

The second difference between these two types of passes is where you connect with the ball on your cleat. To allow your body to get over the ball, with short passing, you will connect with the side of the inside of your foot. 

Since you are trying to get more power and height with a long pass, you should allow your chest to be more open. The connection on the ball should also be with the joint that connects your big toe to your foot. This will allow you to follow through with a motion that propels the ball upwards at about 30 degrees.

Similarities 

As with any contact with the ball, you want to plant your standing foot just to the side of the ball to allow for stability and accuracy when you pass. If you are right-footed, this will be left and the opposite if you are left-footed.

To ensure that your pass is accurate and smooth, you need to make sure that you follow through with your kick. Many people kick and stop the movement rather than following through. This harms your kick in many ways and can cause injury. 

A significant factor that many players forget is the importance of the upper body in kicking the soccer ball. As you can see with this player in the image below, his opposite arm is stretched wide while kicking the ball. This allows your body to rotate into the kick, more balance, and power when connecting with the ball.

Locking your ankle is probably the number one term you have heard when people talk about kicking a soccer ball. This is for a good reason. When your foot is loose and wild, there is a lower chance that the ball will go where you want it. Take control of your foot by locking your ankle to make your foot stiff like a golf club.

3. How to Curl and Spin a Soccer Ball?

Although this may sound a bit technical, it is much simpler when you know the basics. The concept of curling a ball is due to the air pressure hitting the ball as it moves at different forces. You need to hit the ball with spin and power to create this motion. This 

superb skill will allow you to avoid obstacles and impress your friends.

Inside of the Foot Curl

To create the whip of the curl, you need to stand between 90 and 45 degrees toward the ball. This will allow you to strike the ball across your body to create the curl. You also want your body to be tilted slightly to shift your weight to the side you want to curl the ball.

We want to strike the ball with the big toe joint like the long pass. However, the motion will be different, as depicted in this image.

For a right-footed player (opposite for left.) You want to be connecting with the ball in this area and whipping the ball back towards you to create the spin on the ball.  

To see some of the best players in the world complete this skill, be sure to check out Lionel Messi, David Beckham, or Ronaldinho.

Outside of the Foot Spin/ Curl

This skill in soccer kicking is mainly called spinning the ball because you cannot produce the whip and curl that you would in an inside foot kick. Since we are kicking with the outside of the foot, we cannot wrap our body and leg around the ball to create this curling motion.

The spin comes from the ankle joint and the foot in this kicking technique. As you connect with the ball, you want to flick your foot (right-footed players) to the right to allow the ball to spin and slightly curl that way.

The outside of the foot can be performed when your weight is balanced on your left foot, and you need to spin the ball around an obstacle.

4. How to Kick a Soccer Ball with Power?

A power shot is often called 'shooting with your laces.' The reason for this is to perform a shot with power; you need to connect with the ball on the laces of your cleats. This is because you can get the full force of the momentum generated by your run and backswing through the ball when you kick. Unlike the curling shot, you want everything to be linear to generate as much power. This includes your run-up and body position, which you want to be straight and lean over the ball.

As with all soccer kicks, you want to follow through with your opposite arm stretched outwards for maximum balance. When connecting with the ball, you want to connect directly in the center of the ball to ensure no power is lost by missing parts of the ball. Whether you wish to produce height on the ball or keep it flat, you can adjust your contact on the ball slightly above or below the center.

Funnily enough, the best way to learn how to kick the soccer ball with power is by trying not to kick it with power. Here is a clip that explains this concept.

5. How to Chip a Soccer Ball?

Chipping the ball is one of, if not the most challenging skill on this list, but indeed a spectacular skill to have in your arsenal. A chip is best used to avoid an obstacle in tight spaces. Whether you need to chip it over a defender's foot in a dribble, chip the ball over a defender's head to play a pass, or chip the goalkeeper to score a goal. These examples are based around the same motion but require different levels of force to cover the height.

The motion which we are talking about is scooping the ball from underneath. To execute this type of soccer kick, we want to place our foot under the ball, quickly lift our toes to the sky, and raise our legs. This will get the ball off the ground at the desired height.

6. How to Knuckle a Soccer Ball?

How to knuckle a soccer ball is one of life's biggest questions. Taking a shot like Ronaldo or Bale is a thing of beauty. As a bonus, we would like to share this clip on how to shoot a knuckleball.

Final Thoughts on How to Kick a Soccer Ball

When learning how to kick a soccer ball, the most crucial element is focusing on the basics mentioned in this article. Do not rush the process, as, without a strong foundation, there will always be mistakes when attempting more expert skills.

Check out more about fundamentals in soccer here.

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More soccer articles 

Best Soccer Defense Drills and The US High School Soccer Show

 

By Damilare Ilyiade

 

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A team’s defense that is too susceptible to the opposition’s attack is most likely to concede lots of goals and lose matches even if they have got the best forwards in the league.

This is why teams need to make use of efficient soccer defense drills if they want to stand the chance of having one of the strongest backlines in the beautiful game.

 

Aside from that mentioned above, soccer teams that are highly knowledgeable in soccer defense drill tactics and techniques of playing defense during a match are more likely to have the ball and be able to create chances.

 

What are the Fundamentals of Coaching Defense?

 

Apart from the fact that pressure, cover, and balance make a defense keep good shape, those attributes are the foundations when creating soccer defensive drills. 

 

How do these Three Factors Differ from Each other? 

 

The closest defender to the ball in a soccer match have always been taught to apply pressure to the ball. This could force the attacker into a mistake or the dispossession of the ball from the attacking player’s end. Both the pace of the press and the direction are factors that can influence whether the defender wins the ball or not.

 

Balance is the ability of a team to position itself in an excellent defensive posture to prevent the switching of the ball to off-balance the defense.

 

Cover as a defensive positioning gives instant support to the pressuring players by positioning themselves near the pressure.

 

In this section, you will learn top-notch defensive soccer drills that will help you make your players work as a unit at the back without leaving out interesting ways they can help their defenders react in different defensive situations. 

 

 

Teaching 1st Defender without Opposition

Objective

The objective of this drill is to let young defenders understand the necessary things they need to do when they are the closest to an opponent with the ball. 

 

Set-Up

A fully-sized goal is needed for this drill. The next thing you need do is to separate the team into two groups of defenders to start on both sides of the goal and also make sure that two attacking players with the ball are positioned outside the penalty area on both sides of the attacking final-third of the field. 

 

Execution

The first defender on both sides of the goal progress forward to close down their respective attacker once the coach gives a command. 

Their focus should be on a fast-controlled approach.

The defenders should also be instructed to position their bodies between the ball and the middle of the goal.

All of this is needed to help the players work on the speed of the approach, body posture, and positioning. 

4-5 times of this drill should be enough for each of the players or you can also make them continue trying it out until they are comfortable with approaching the attacker.

 

Coaching Tips

Ensure that the body positioning of the defenders is between the goal and the ball. This drill is aimed at helping close down space quickly at a fast-controlled approach. 

 

 

Defensive Speed Course

Objective

This fitness training-related drill is centered around improving defensive speed and quickness in front of the goal. 

 

Set-Up

Make sure the defensive players are lined up at the right corner of the 18-yard box and set up six to eight 6ft training hurdles with 2-yards equidistant apart from each other. The next thing to do is to mark off 5-yards and place a training stick there. Having done that, mark off another 5 yards from the last training stick and set a second training stick at a 45-degree angle away from the goal. Finally, put the last training stick about 5 yards directly towards the sideline from the last.

 

Execution

The responsibility of the coach is to tell the players to quickly double step over each training hurdle and ensure that each of their feet is placed in between each hurdle.

The players are to sprint to the first training stick as soon as they have exited the last training hurdle. 

Around the first training stick, every player must follow a quick 45-degree cut and move towards the second training stick. Note that this should also be repeated when heading towards the last training stick too.

Upon reaching the third (last training stick), the players are to make a 

90 degree cut and sprint towards the top of the 6-yard box.

 

Coaching Tips

This drill enhances fast feet, sharp turns, and also tests defensive players’ speed and quickness. 

 

1v1 Defending the Dribble

Objective

1v1 defending the dribble is designed to help isolate the defender to concentrate on the first defender and defending the dribble. 

 

Set-Up

You are to create a 10X10 grid with a cone put at each side of the grid 10yards apart and use pinnies (yellow/red) to separate the two teams equally into two groups (two players in each group). Facing the middle square, ensure each of the teams is line-up on the cones opposite one another. In addition, put a defender inside the middle grid. A player starts as the defender and another team is made the attacking team depending on how you choose your pinnies. 

 

Execution

The attacking team aimed at dribbling at the defender and also dribbling through the other side of the grid by beating the middle defender.

The player plays to the first player in the line he’s facing he has successfully made it through the grid and out the other side by dribbling. 

If the defender wins the ball from the next player, or the ball is knocked out of the grid, the player that loses the ball turns to be the new defender.

On the other hand, the player that won the ball or made the ball to be kicked out of the grid passes the ball to a teammate in line who now becomes the new attacker against the new defender in the middle in an attempt to get through to the other side and pass to the next player in line.

 

Coaching Tips

It is highly recommended that defenders should always concentrate more on important things such as bent knees with weight on the balls of the feet, chest leaning over the toes, staggered stance with toes at a 45-degree angle, ability to shuffle quickly, and other related key elements when defending 1v1's in soccer. 

As the saying goes... attack is the best form of defense. This is completely true, when you win the ball, if you can keep it away from your opponent then there is nothing for you to defend. Of course, when you have the ball you want to attack and create chances. In this clip, coach Leonard Griffin explains ways to build out from the back.

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US High School Soccer Teagan Leclerc - College Soccer Recruiting Video - Class of 2022 & Top 3 Soccer Passing Drills

 

Top 3 Soccer Passing Drills

• By Coach Fintel
 

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There are plenty of components when it comes to playing a game of soccer. From dribbling to shooting, continuously practicing these skills can enhance your performance on and off the field. Some of these can improve individual performance, but passing can grow both individual and team skills as a whole.

Passing/possession drills can improve the team’s communication skills, attentiveness, first touch, and even their connection on and off the field. Being able to pass the ball accurately and precisely can affect the team’s performance and quality during practice and games.  If you watch professional soccer teams on television, you can see how the passing just flows so swiftly between the players. These players know precisely how and where to pass to their teammates, but they have also had plenty of practice and developed a connection within their team. Building a strong bond with your team, being focused, and lots of practice can help build strong passing skills during the game.

Coaches must implement passing drills during practices. There are plenty of drills to choose from, depending on your team’s strengths and weaknesses, and a range of variations within each exercise. With the continuous passing practice, each player will develop a new and vital skill as well as building upon that necessary team bond.

Teagan Leclerc, Graduation-Class of 2022

Seacoast United Core, Mount Washington Valley Soccer, Gorham High Shcool Varsity Soccer

Email: teaganleclerc07@gmail.com

Instagram: teagan.leclerc

There is a multitude of different passing drills to have your team work on. Here are three soccer passing drills that you, your team, and your coach can work on during practices to perfect passing:

1.4 Corners

Before You Start

      Equipment:                                                                                    The Set-Up:                            

            - 4 cones                                                                                        - place the four cones in a

            - 1 soccer ball (or more for variation)                                             10x10 grid, each player

            - 4 players (or more for variation)                                                   on each cone to start

 

How It Works

Begin with one player at each cone

One player starts with the soccer ball at their cone.

The player with the ball will pass it towards the cone either to the left or right of them (determines which direction you desire to start with. In the diagram above, the player is passing to the right).

The receiver is able to use either the inside or outside of their foot while receiving the ball from the passer.

The receiver may go behind or in front of the cone, shown as the dotted lines in the diagram above. The cone represents the “mock defender” in which the player is trying to move around.

The receiver, once taking their first touch behind or in front of the cone, then passes the ball to the next receiver, repeating this process around the square.

 

Switch It Up

- Number of soccer balls. Adding more soccer balls can create a quick drill to challenge your players’ attention and communication skills

- Number of players on each cone. Decreasing the number of players creates a faster-paced drill or increasing to build a better team connection

- Call out a change in direction during the drill. This can help the players work both left and right feet and test their reaction skills

More Tips

- Get the players to communicate! This is a great drill to work on the team’s communication skills. The players can say “Ball!” “Here!” “Left foot!” “Right foot!” and more.

2. The Pyramid

Before You Start

            Equipment:                                                                        The Set-Up:

                 - 3 cones                                                                              - Place 3 cones in a pyramid

                 - two players                                                                         shape, with two players on

                 - one soccer ball                                                                    separate cones

 

How It Works

One player is at the top of the pyramid with the soccer ball; the other is on either the left or right bottom cone (whichever one you wish to start with)

The top player will pass the ball towards the player when at the cone.

The receiver will take a touch, then pass the ball back to the top player.

After passing the ball back to the top player, the bottom player will then sprint to the next cone to receive the ball once again.

Repeat these steps until the time is up (approximately 1-2 minutes), switch roles from the top stagnant player to the moving bottom player.

 

Switch It Up

- Number of touches. Switch from a two-touch pass to a one-touch pass for quicker, more controlled movement

- Number of players. Instead of sprinting back and forth between cones, there can be three players on the drill to pass in a triangle structure

 

More Tips

- Make sure the receiver takes a light and controls the first touch. Do not want the ball flying around towards the opponent

- Communicate. Let the passer know which foot you would like to receive the ball on (“Left!” or “Right!”)

3. Over the River (Full Possession)

Before You Start

            Equipment:                                                                         The Set-Up:

                 - 8 cones                                                                           - Make a large 20x30 rectangle

                 - 12 pennies (8 one color, 4 a different color)                 - Create a 2x10 boundary in

                 - 12 players                                                                          the center of rectangle

                                                                                                          - 4 attacking players and 2                                                                                                                                              defensive in each box

 

How It Works

Soccer ball starts in either box with the offensive team (team with four players in each box). The defensive team has two players in each box, the rest of the team sits out for the round.

The offensive team must complete at least three passes within their box without the defenders taking the ball.

After connecting three complete passes, the offensive team’s objective is then to pass the ball to the other box without letting the defensive team take the ball.

The defenders are trying to take the ball away from the offensive team. If the defenders take the ball three times within the same box, the positions must switch (offense becomes defense, defense becomes offense).

The only way to switch roles is for the defense to steal the ball away from the offense.

 

Switch It Up

 - Limit the number of touches. Limit to one-touch passing for a high-intensity game

 - Adjust grid size. Make the grid smaller and tighter for quick passing or larger to work on long passes and time awareness

- Make the offensive team “loft” or “chip” the ball over the middle-dotted line area towards the other box after completing the three passes. This works on lofting skills and first touch out of the air.

 

 

Additional Videos on Soccer Passing:

Winning Soccer Vol. 5: Passing, Receiving, and Heading

Paul Riley's Soccer Moves, Skills, and Drills

Soccer Drills & Tips Video Library

World Cup Soccer with Mia Hamm

CoachTube Presents: GCU Women's Soccer vs UT Rio Grande Valley on US Sports Net

Explosive Soccer Speed & Power

by KwikGoal

Description

Become the most EXPLOSIVE SOCCER player on the field!

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COACHES: Use drills in team settings for speed and conditioning! 

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