5 Things You Need to Know About Kicking A Soccer Ball

1. Share the Ball

When young soccer players ask professionals what skills they should practice the most, they almost always say "passing." No matter how good you are individually, without the help of your teammates you're going to have a hard time scoring. To move the ball around the field, you should pass it using the inside of your foot. For the most power and control, try to make contact with the ball right below your ankle's bony protrusion. Also, hit the ball directly at its equator to kick a pass that rolls smoothly along the field.

2. Hitting That Rocket Shot

When you need to kick the ball hard, use the instep drive. Also known as the laces kick, it's the most powerful way to shoot the ball, although it's also the most inaccurate. There are a couple of things you'll need to keep in mind when doing the instep drive. First, plant your non-kicking foot next to the ball so it's pointing at your target. Second, make sure the knee of your kicking leg is over the ball when you strike it. This keeps your shot from flying up into the air. To control the shot, point your toes toward the ground and lock your ankle as you kick the ball. Finally, follow through by driving your kicking leg toward the target.

3. Bend It Like Beckham

The inside curve or "banana" kick is probably the most famous way of kicking a soccer ball in the world. It was first pioneered by Brazilian players like Zico and Pele, but now every player uses it to hit crosses, corners and free kicks. Producing Beckham's trademark curl is difficult to master, though, and the technique varies greatly from player to player. In general, you'll want to use the base of your big toe to strike the ball a few inches to the side of its center point. The more you whip your foot around the ball, the more spin it will have.

4. Short Chips and Goal Kicks

In order to chip the ball or hit a good goal kick, you'll need to get it high into the air. To do this, strike the ball below its equator with your instep. Also, position your non-kicking foot slightly behind the ball before kicking it. This ensures that your foot's rising when it hits the ball, which gives it more loft. Following these simple steps produces a rising ball with underspin that will float down like a feather to your teammates.

5. Blasting a Volley

The volley is a kick where you take the ball out of the air before it hits the ground. The technique is similar to the instep drive. Keep your toes pointed and your ankle locked, and make contact with your shoe's laces. The final shot should fly straight toward its target without any spin.