Gabe Neiderer

How to Properly Kick a Soccer Ball

Introduction
Soccer has become one of the most popular sports in the world for two reasons. First and
most convenient reason is that soccer, or futbol as it is known is other countries, is one of the most
inexpensive sports to play. All that is needed is a rubber ball and a few people to play with. Secondly,
soccer is easy to play; as long as someone can kick the ball then they can participate. In this technique
guide the process of shooting a soccer ball will be broken down into six easy steps to follow. The six
parts are as follows; set-up, approach, plant, drawback, strike, and the follow through. The figures
supplementing the text reveal foot placement on the ball and next to the ball, how the foot should
strike the ball, and position of body over the ball. All that you need now is a soccer ball and the
willingness to learn the process for shooting, also known as shooting form.

Set-Up
When you are preparing to take a shot on the
goal you need to anticipate a location where
there will be enough time to take the shot and
also have a good shooting position on the goal. In
practice start with the ball about five yards ahead
of you. Visualize how to approach the ball for
example is a direct path more desirable than
coming in from an angle, see Figure 1. For most
shots towards the goal players take a straight
path at the ball and goal. Sometimes players use
a curved path to increase or decrease the angle
their foot is striking the ball. Players use the
curved approach more for longer shots or shots
going across the players body. While you are
practicing try both approaches and see what is
most comfortable for you.

Approach
Most people over look the approach, which is a
mistake. The approach can affect a shot in many
negative ways when a player makes messes it up.
Most players approach the ball with a three step
progression, see Figure 2. These three steps
should be able to cover the five yard distance
comfortably, change the distance between you
and the ball if the five yards too long or short.
Start off with the non dominant foot, or the
opposite foot used to kick, taking the first step.
Take a second step and then a third. The third
step should be made with the non kicking foot
and needs to be planted beside the ball. The foot


Straight Curved

















Right Footed Left Footed













Figure 1
Figure 2
Remember that right footed kickers take the
first step with the left foot and left footed
kickers begin with their right.
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placement is the next step so more details on this
stage next.

Plant Foot
The plant foot, or non kicking foot, should be
placed directly next to the soccer ball. When you
look down on the ball the middle of the ball should
line up with the middle your foot, see Figure 3. If
more loft is desired the plant foot should be
moved back so the toe is closer to the middle of
the ball. If you want the ball to stay on the ground
the plant foot should be moved forward.
Remember to also look at how far the plant foot is
away width wise. There is no guide line for width
space, just go with whatever feels comfortable. If
your shots are going off to the sides by a lot it
usually means that the plant foot was placed too
far away from the ball.

Drawback
Once the plant foot has been set the kicking foot
now has the opportunity to start the drawback.
You want to bring your leg back as far as you can
but stay in a comfortable range. Keep in mind that
further you can bring your leg back the more
power you can put behind your shot. Your leg
should remain in a V shape as it is drawn back,
see Figure 4. Once at the limit of the drawback
begin bringing your leg back down. During this step
and the plant step check your body position. The
knee of your kicking leg should be over the top of
the ball; this keeps the ball from getting too much
loft. Your upper body should be up straight like
Figure 4, do not lean towards either side.

The Strike
There are two locations that need to be matched
up in order to have an accurate and powerful shot.
First location is the strike zone on the soccer ball,
which is the middle region of the ball, see Figure 5.
Second location is the lace region of the cleat. In
order to match the lace region up with the strike
zone the foot needs to be extended downward,
toes pointing at the ground, see Figure 6. This is
the typical form used to shoot a line drive like





























Figure 3
Move your heel back to get more loft.
Move your toe forward to keep
the ball on the ground.
Figure 4
The V shape that the leg
should follow can be seen here.
Strike
Zone
Figure 5
This zone is used for bending the ball
to the right (right footed).
This zone is used to bend the ball to the
left (right footed).
For left footed people the directions of the
zones is switched.
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Shot; it is extremely accurate when mastered.
There are more advanced shots such as the banana
shot, more commonly known as bending the ball,
where the ball travels a curved path. The form is
entirely the same as described but instead of
striking the ball with the lace region hit the ball
with a side of the cleat. If you want to bend the
ball towards the left strike the ball with the left
part next to the laces, or right above the arch of
the foot. Strike the right side of ball but still remain
in the middle zone, refer to Figure 5. To bend the
ball to the right strike with the outside of the foot
right next to the laces. Strike the left side of the
ball when hitting it. For left footed players use the
opposite side of the ball that right footed players
hit and the opposite side of the cleat they use.

Follow Through
After you strike the ball continue the kick as far as
you can and still be comfortable. The follow
through affects the direction of the balls path just
as much as anything else. The ball will continue on
the same path that the follow through is directed.







Conclusion
You now contain all the basic knowledge necessary to go out and begin practicing shooting on goal.
Remember that this is a technique that requires time and patients to master, dont expect to be
incredibly accurate or have a powerful shot. I recommend starting simple by staying close to the goal
and going through each step thoroughly. You may even have to repeat a step over and over again till
it becomes part of your muscle memory, but no matter what do not get discouraged.
This is the lace region used for
normal line drive shots.
This side of the cleat is used for
bending the ball to the left
(right footed).
Figure 6
This side is used to bend the
ball to the right (right footed).
For left footed players use the opposite
sides of the cleat for the correct direction.