The right way to get much bigger kicks



A player’s feet are their main weapons on the pitch. So much depends on players being able to deliver the ball well, whether for corners, free-kicks, crosses, shots or goal kicks. Make sure your players are using the correct technique because the end product will be much better.

Young players must learn technique
Correct kicking technique is a vital part of the early years of educating soccer players. The sooner they learn it the better they will become and the quicker they will develop.

The correct technique
The ball is usually kicked either using the inner side of the foot that runs along from toe to heel, or using the small area around the inside of the big toe.

With each technique the body will be positioned in a different way, in order to propel the ball at different speeds, strengths and heights. The body will always be balanced, with the player’s eyes on the ball and with the non-kicking foot and both arms providing balance and support while the kicking leg pulls back and follows through.

Higher or lower
To make the ball go higher and slower the body must lean back with the player’s eyes behind the ball and their head level with the horizon. To make the ball go lower and faster the body must lean forward with the player’s head over the ball and facing down.

I have concentrated on the driven pass or shot and the lofted pass, because in these two techniques you can see how the body shape can affect the flight of the ball.

After showing your players the technique you can get them in pairs passing over different distances or play small-sided games where you can watch your players’ technique.