TYPES OF KICKS IN FOOTBALL| In football, your legs mean everything! And the more technical kicks you learn, the more weapons you have during a game. Whether you’re a striker, defender, midfielder, or goalkeeper, learning a few techniques is imperative if you want to improve your game.
So whether you’re a beginner or someone who’s been playing for years, here are a few types of soccer kicks that will be useful during a football match.
How can learning new football shots help you as a player?
Mastering new football shots can bring numerous advantages to a player. Firstly, it enhances their versatility by enabling them to adapt to various situations, making them a more unpredictable player. Players become more skilled at finding innovative ways to score goals. And contributing to their team’s triumph by perfecting a range of shots, such as volleys, chip shots, and long-range strikes.
The process of learning new shots of kicking in football has numerous benefits for players. It enhances their overall technique and skill level and enables them to have better ball control, improved accuracy, and increased power and speed during strikes. These improvements can greatly contribute to their ability to score goals and support their teammates.
Also, by acquiring knowledge of different shot types, players become more adaptable and valuable to their team. And they can effectively play in various positions on the field.
Learning new shot techniques will expand your soccer expertise and comprehension as a player. It empowers you to assess the game more effectively and identifies possibilities for various shot variations in different game scenarios.
Having knowledge of kicking in football and different football shots enhances the player’s mental strength and self-assurance. By mastering new techniques, players experience a sense of achievement and develop confidence in their skills, helping them perform better on the field. Learning new tactics and football kicks will increase the likelihood of scoring more—undoubtedly the game’s biggest advantage!
Now, let’s have a look at the five main types of soccer kicks you need to practice as a player. Read on!
1) The Push
Players use this kick commonly in football to pass the ball to their teammates. It’s easy to perform and highly accurate, making it the perfect maneuver for a quick pass.
In short – All you have to do is make contact with the ball using the centre of the inside of your kicking foot. It’s almost like using a golf putter to push the ball towards another player.
Mastering the Push football technique, also called the push pass or short pass, is crucial for all players. It involves using the foot’s inside to pass the ball to a nearby teammate. This skill is vital for keeping possession, orchestrating attacks, and generating scoring chances.
The Push pass has numerous benefits. Firstly, it enables fast and precise passes over short distances. This is especially beneficial in crowded field areas where opponents are nearby. If players perform the push pass accurately, they can guarantee that the ball consistently reaches its intended recipient.
The Push pass is advantageous for maintaining possession. Keeping the ball low and close to the player reduces the chances of the opponent snatching it away. This technique is particularly useful for teams focusing on a possession-oriented style of play, where the strategy is to keep the ball exclusively with team members as much as possible.
The Push pass is also useful in promoting teamwork and mobility. Swiftly and accurately passing the ball between players allows for increased spacing and the creation of passing opportunities to move forward on the field. This pass style allows for smooth and cooperative play.
Lastly, the Push pass can be used in combination plays and one-touch football. Players can engage in complex passing sequences by becoming skilled in this technique, promoting a fluid and united team performance.
2) Instep Kick
Popularly called ‘volleying’ in gully football, the instep kick is a powerful shot that is used primarily for shooting and occasionally for long passes.
In short -To set up for this shot, place your supporting foot next to the ball and swing your kicking leg forward. You must contact the ball using that part of your foot covered by the laces. Be sure to keep your ankle locked during this kick to avoid injury.
The instep kick, also called the drive or laces kick, is a forceful and precise move employed in football for shooting, passing, and long-range passing. For this shot, the player has to hit the ball with the top part of the foot, specifically the region right beneath the laces, which results in a combination of strength and precision.
On the field, the instep kick provides many benefits. Firstly, it enables players to deliver powerful shots towards the goal. By using the instep to kick football, players can use more force and speed, which will increase their likelihood of scoring. This technique is especially advantageous for long-distance shots and set-piece situations.
The instep kick also allows for more accurate passing. Because of the flat surface area of the instep, players can have greater control over the direction and precision of their passes. This is particularly advantageous when making long-range passes or changing the direction of play.
Players can benefit from the instep kick in multiple ways – such as clearing the ball from defence and initiating counter-attacks. Its speed and strength make it a useful technique for alleviating pressure and seamlessly transitioning from defence to offence.
3) Outside Kick
Players often find this tricky manoeuvre difficult to master, and they commonly use it in pro-level games. Initially, this kick is great for passing. But once you’ve learnt it properly, you can use it to shoot, take corner kicks, and clear the ball.
In short: Stride towards the ball and make contact with it using the outside of your kicking foot, keeping your ankle locked.
The outside kick, known as the outside-of-the-foot pass or cross, is a technique that players use in football to shoot precise, curved passes or crosses.
Players can make the ball spin and curve by striking the ball with the outer edge of the foot, away from the laces. This results in accurate deliveries that can bypass defenders or enter the penalty area.
This technique is especially valuable when crossing the ball from wide positions or when attempting diagonal passes. Players who practice the outside kick well enough can create scoring opportunities and effectively contribute to their team’s offensive strategies.
4) Toe Kick
Most coaches hate this kick and try to get their players to stop using it. However, it can be useful when the ball is just out of reach, and you must quickly pass.
In short: If you see an opponent running towards the ball, you can simply lunge for it and kick football centre using the tips of your toes. This will cause the ball to travel a short distance in the desired direction.
The toe kick – also referred to as the toe punt, is a football technique where the ball is struck using the toes of the foot.
It is commonly used for short-range passes or shots on goal. Although it may not be as accurate or powerful as other methods, the toe kick is more of a speedy, spontaneous play. It can come in handy in narrow spaces or situations where the player feels that they may lose control of the ball.
Despite its limitations in finesse and precision, the toe kick is a valuable tool for players to swiftly redirect the ball or make an unexpected impact in the game.
5) Back Heel Kick
The backheel kick is a little difficult to learn but becomes easier with practice. It’s one of the more deceptive kicks out there and can confuse a defender if executed properly.
Known as one of the more stylish football kicks! The back heel kick is also a skilful move that involves using the heel to strike the ball behind the standing leg.
This technique is usually used as a surprise tactic to trick opponents or to create chances to score. The backheel kick is often seen when players have their back toward the goal or have limited space to work with.
Getting such a kick right requires good timing and coordination to pull off effectively and is commonly used to make unexpected passes or shots. Although it may not have a high success rate, the backheel kick is a creative and impressive way for players to demonstrate their technical skills – and, of course, it needs plenty of practice!
Learn The Basics
Besides these 5, many different types of kicks are employed while playing football. However, these are the basics, and it’s important to learn them before moving on to the harder maneuvers. They may seem tricky, but with regular practice and dedication, you’ll be able to execute them easily.
Some other important football kicks include –
- Free Kick: A kick granted after an opponent commits an infraction – utilized for either shooting or passing.
- Volley: When the ball is struck while it’s in the air, typically with a first-time shot or pass.
- Half-volley: Striking the ball immediately after it bounces off the ground, often employed for close-range volleys near the goal.
- Chip: Elevating the ball slightly off the ground accurately to surpass a defender or goalkeeper.
- Penalties: A one-on-one kick between the shooter and goalkeeper from the penalty spot, awarded for specific fouls.
Football is a sport that requires lots of practice and dedication to master. But the best part is that it’s so fun! Knowing these techniques will help you improve your game tremendously. And show off your new skills to the rest of the team! Playo is an excellent app for sports lovers. If you want to improve your football skills, download the Playo app and book a sports venue without any hassles! You can also connect with players around you and bond over your mutual love for sports.
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