Correct placement of the supporting foot is critical when kicking a soccer ball.
Planting the supporting foot in line with the ball will keep the shot hard and low.
Conversely, planting the supporting foot further behind or leaning back during the approach will result in a high, lofted shot.
To produce a powerful shot or pass in soccer, players need to learn to "drive the knee" of their kicking leg through the ball and in direction of the target.
Players who want to kick with more power, should practice following-through and landing on their kicking foot.
Power is the result of proper technique. The leg muscles have an elastic quality and to take advantage of this, you need to wind-up and swing in one, swift motion. Through practice, you will find that power comes from minimizing that short, but critical period of time between contracting and extending the leg.
Striking the ball while it's in the air is called a volley.
To execute a volley the player must be facing the ball and should remain on their toes.
This allows them to adjust quickly to the ball's path.
Striking a decent volley depends on composure and good timing.
Players should not attempt a volley unless they have aligned themselves properly with the ball.
Striking the ball on the outside will bend the shot.
Hitting the ball further to the outside, gives it more spin.
In addition, the player's upper body can affect the height of the shot.
Leaning back during the approach, produces more height and vice versa.
Techniques for kicking the ball
Instep drive
The instep drive is the most powerful kick in soccer, used for shooting, sending long passes and taking goal kicks. Start by planting your supporting foot in line with the ball with toes pointing at the target. Bring your kicking leg back and drive it forward in a single motion. Your ankle should be extended and locked. Strike the ball with your shoelaces and follow through in direction of the target. To keep your shot low, contact the ball slightly above the equator and keep your shoulders over it.
Inside curve
The inside curve is the best technique for placing the ball with precision, often used when taking free kicks or serving crosses.
First, position your supporting foot next to the ball with toes aimed slightly to the side of the target.
Try to make contact with the inside part of your shoelaces.
Striking the ball off center produces spin and will curve your shot.
Note that leaning forward or back will affect the height of your shot.
Bicycle kick
The bicycle kick is a spectacular technique in soccer that is used for shooting and sometimes clearing the ball.
Contacting the ball is usually done with the toes or the instep.
Generally, this type of move will leave you on the ground, so it's rarely practical to attempt a bicycle kick unless you're both confident and athletic.
Remember to extended your arms back to cushion the fall.
The bicycle kick may result in serious injury if performed incorrectly.
Do not attempt the bicycle kick on a hard or unsuitable surface.
Outside curve
The outside curve technique is useful when the ball is positioned near your preferred kicking foot.
The toes of your supporting foot should be pointing at the target or slightly to the side.
Try to contact the ball with the outside part of your shoelaces and follow-through to bend the shot.
Rabona
The Rabona is a cunning technique used to shoot or pass the ball. Typically, this type of kick works best in combination with dribbling in order to confuse and mislead your opponents. Note that the ball needs to be on the outside of your supporting foot. Striking the ball is usually done with the toes.
Volley
Volleying is a kicking technique used while the ball is up in the air. First, make small adjustments in your footing so that you are well-aligned and balanced before swinging at the ball. Producing a good volley is largely determined by your timing.
Therefore, focus on when to swing rather than where to contact the ball.
Drills for kicking the ball
It takes many hours of repetition to master kicking the ball.
Moreover, it's crucial to practice with as few interruption as possible.
That is why it's particularly helpful to have a training partner or to find a wall suitable for practice.
Send the ball against the wall or your partner and strike it again as it comes back.
There are many variations to this drill for example turning before you shoot or kicking the ball right away without a setup touch.
Heading the ball
The most common obstacle when heading the ball is overcoming one's natural fear of getting hit on the head by a flying object.
Remember that heading is about striking the ball rather than allowing the ball to hit you.
Before jumping for a header, players need to take a few small steps and adjust to the ball.
It's difficult to produce a good header when poorly aligned with the ball.
Next, players have to arch the body back and lunge forward to strike the ball.
The ball should be struck with the top part of the forehead.
Young players tend to close their eyes when heading the ball.
By doing so, they can't see the ball and may injure themselves or their opponents.
That is why it is important to keep one's eyes locked on the part of the ball that we want to strike and to keep them open until the moment of contact.
Attempting to head the ball without proper training may result in traumatic brain injury which can have severe consequences including trauma or death.
Very young players are not encouraged to head the ball until they have learned the proper techniques.
Techniques for heading the ball
Defensive header
To hit the ball with a good amount of power you'll need to arch your body back and lunge your head forward.
Keep your shoulders leveled and perpendicular to your aim.
Contact should be made with the center of the forehead.
Aligning yourself with the ball before you jump is critical.
This technique is used in both defense and attack,
although when trying to score the ball is usually directed down.
Diving header
With this technique, you propel your entire body in the path of the ball.
Your arms should be stretched forward for protection on landing.
The diving header can be used by defenders to clear the ball and occasionally on the attack.
Glancing header
When executing the glancing header, you must turn your head and shoulders in direction of your aim.
This motion redirects the oncoming ball.
The glancing header is used for directing crosses in the goal.
Flick header
The flick-on header is a technique where you are actually making contact with the back of your head.
This technique is often used by midfielders who have their back towards the opponent's goal.
Finishing and shooting
During a match, attackers don't have a lot time to choose how or where to place their shots. The most important factor to consider is your own skills in terms of the situation. For example, if volleying isn't one of your strong suits, your odds of scoring from a cross would improve by [Control|controlling] the ball first. It is recommended to decide how and where to shoot ahead of time so that you don't hesitate when the opportunity is available.
Kicking the ball really hard is only necessary when you are far away from the goal. It's difficult to beat a decent goalkeeper who is well positioned and ready. This is why it's important to shoot unexpectedly, without "telegraphing" your shots.
Attackers who are close to the opponents' goal, should focus on placement. Good placement requires composure and knowing the position of the goalkeeper. It is vital for attackers to look around before shooting or better yet, before even receiving the ball.
Different ways of finishing
Breakaways
During breakaways, an attacker is facing the goalkeeper in a 1v1 challenge. When you are that close to the keeper, there's no need to shoot very hard. A well placed ball in the corner or a sudden touch can beat almost any keeper. If you're really confident, you can even try a nutmeg or a chip. Just make sure to keep it simple. Hesitating or trying something too complicated are the main reasons why most breakaways are wasted.
Long range shots
When trying to score from long range, the attacker's first priority should be keeping the shot low. If the shot is directed above the crossbar, the play is over and there is no possibility for a deflection.
Clever attackers may use the weather to their advantage.
For example, wind and rain can sometimes affect the trajectory of long-ranged shots and deceive the goalkeeper.
It is not safe to engage in outdoor activity like soccer during thunderstorms.
Referees and coaches have the responsibility to cancel a match or practice session if there is a significant chance of lightning.
Near corner vs far corner
Shots that do not end in the back of the net, can often result in a scoring opportunity for somebody else on your team. Let's say that you're approaching the goal from the side and you have a teammate in the penalty box. Shooting in the near corner may force the keeper to punch the ball out-of-bounds. If the shot is directed in the far corner, the goalkeeper will have to deflect the ball infield, in the direction of your teammate.
Narrow angle shots
When approaching your opponent's goal from the flank, it is often assumed that you are going to cross the ball. The keeper's natural reaction is to step forward off his line, expecting to catch or clear your potential cross. At this point, he'll be vulnerable for a chip or a far-post shot. Many top-level goalkeepers have made similar mistakes.
Crosses
Finishing crosses is mostly about adjusting to the cross, rather than trying to hit the ball really hard. Make sure your body is leaning forward on low or bouncing crosses. On high crosses, the best way to beat the keeper is by directing the ball downward. Remember, placement and proper contact are more important than power when the goal is close by.
