The Topic...

How do you kick a soccer ball?
(Boy, could this be a long page.)

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First, we will start this page by saying this is for soccer beginners to medium age players. We assume that more mature soccer players understand the soccer kick. However, there has been a lot of recent research about the soccer kick and the most effective way to kick. Also, there needs to be more research done on the proper way to kick without causing long term damage and injury to the younger player.

When you force your body to do something that is not normal, there is often a chance of injury. We believe that a soccer kick should be comfortable and not forced. Below is the kick that we believe is the best kick for both power and long term comfort of joints, tendons and muscles.

It is not far off from the soccer kick that has been used by the pros for many years. However, this slight adjustment seems to allow for less pressure and force build up in the hip area.

 

The ONE tip we wish every coach in the Nation would use.
During a recent soccer camp my son was attending, I noticed that the majority of the kids had the same problem when kicking. 90% of them were leaning back at the time their foot struck the ball.
LEARN THIS ONE TIP.
If you get them in the mind set of eyes over the ball at the time of strike, you will greatly improve their performance. This also makes it more difficult for them to 'toe strike' the ball. It makes the transition from toe strike to lace strike much easier.
When teaching people to hit a golf ball correctly I use the same theory.
If the action focus point, the eyes, are over the object to be struck, more velocity and control can be created. When one starts to lean and reach, energy is spent in the wrong places.