Knowing how to properly kick a soccer ball is arguably the most important thing in soccer. You play with your feet, so of course, you need to be able to kick the ball to move it around the field.
Youth soccer coaches teach young players to kick a ball when they are learning the basics of soccer. Then as they grow, their bodies change (longer legs, bigger feet, different size balls), and they may have to learn it all over again.
If you are learning how to play soccer as an adult, maybe you’ve been learning by playing pickup and you probably never had formal training. Learning the proper technique will help you make more accurate passes, kick the ball further, and take better shots.
The following videos will show your three different ways to pass and kick a soccer ball. With proper technique and a bit of practice, you’ll be kicking like a pro in no time!
How to Pass a Soccer Ball With the Inside of Your Foot
In this video, we are going to be discussing the proper technique on how to pass a ball with the inside of your foot. This is the most common type of pass in the game. These are the types of passes mainly used when keeping possession in a game, or even when you are warming up with your teammate before practice/game.
First thing, when you pass the ball, you want to use the inside of your foot; not the toe, but right in the middle of your foot.
Next, when you put your planting foot to the ground, you want to make sure that you aren’t too far away from the ball that you are reaching for it, and not too close to where you could kick your ankle. Find a happy medium that is most comfortable for you.
Next, you want to make sure your ankle is completely locked. Having a wobbly ankle or an unlocked ankle will not allow you to have good contact with the ball and certainly won’t give you any power.
Finally, when it comes to making contact with the ball, you want to make sure you follow all the way through! The foot that is making contact with the ball needs to be opened up so you can have full contact on the inside of your foot!
KEY POINTS:
- Turn your foot so you can use the whole inside surface of your foot
- Keep your ankle locked
- Find a comfortable spot to plant your foot
- Follow all the way through!
How to Kick a Soccer Ball Using the Outside of Your Foot
In this video we will be talking about a more unique pass. This type of pass uses the outside of your foot and it is generally used when players are trying to get around their opponent by disguising it. This pass usually doesn’t have much power, but rather us used when you are fairly close to your teammate. This will be the third different part of the foot we will use to pass the ball.
With this pass, you will use the outside of the foot and ‘flick’ the ball. As stated is the previous videos, you want to make sure your ankle is locked. If you turn your foot and lock your ankle, you should be able to get enough power to get pas your opponent and also reach your teammate.
Usually, these passes work best when you are dribbling at a player. You don’t wantt to get too close to your opponent to where they can poke the ball away; but you also don’t want to do it too soon to where they can read the pass.
Finally, when it comes to the pass, you are flicking the ball away to the outside of you. Your foot will be coming from the inside of your body, and then pushing the ball away to the side. Remember to keep that ankle locked and to turn the foot away so you can get clean contact!
KEY POINTS:
- Use outside of the boot
- Lock your ankle (turned to where you can use the whole surface of the outside of your foot)
- Figure out the spacing and timing of when to pass the ball (not too close and not too soon)
- Keep your ankle locked, and flick the ball away!
How to Pass a Ball With Your Laces (How to Drive the Ball)
In this video, we are going to be discussing how to drive a soccer ball with your laces or how to kick a soccer ball with power. These types of passes are generally used for longer distances and you are able to ‘ping’ the ball with more pace. When you drive the ball, you usually don’t want the ball to come above the knees. For the most part, the ball should stay just above the surface of the grass.
When you approach the ball to drive it, you want to make sure that you use the laces of your boots. It is really important to keep your ankle locked during these types of passes. If your ankle isn’t locked, it might not go in the direction you want it to go, and just like the inside of the foot pass, you won’t generate any power.
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As for your planting foot, you want your foot close enough to the ball to where you aren’t reaching for it, and, far enough away to where you have room to follow all the way through. Remember, find a happy medium that works best for you.
Finally, when it comes time to make contact with the ball, remember to use your ankle and follow all the way through!
KEY POINTS:
- Use your laces
- Lock your ankle all the way (pointing down)
- Find a comfortable spot to plant your foot
- Follow all the way though!
The fundamentals of passing and kicking a soccer ball should be learned in the early years of learning the game. Here’s an example of a youth player (5 years old) practicing the technique of driving the ball with the laces.
Now that you know how to properly kick a soccer ball as well as pass. Head over to our article about How To Shoot A Soccer Ball and learn how to score goals!
