How to Do Volley Shots in Soccer

The volley in soccer is a tough shot to master. Even professionals have a hard time consistently pulling it off. Fortunately for soccer players, the opportunity to hit the shot rarely comes up, so it's not entirely necessary to know the skill. Unfortunately for strikers, when the opportunity does arise, they're often in scoring position with the game on the line.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Toss the ball high into the air using your hands.
2. Allow the ball to rebound once before striking it. Full-volleys technically take the ball right out of the air, but to learn the shot you'll want a little more time than that.
3. Bring your shoulders up and around your center of gravity as the ball rebounds back into the air. At the same time, lift your kicking leg and bend it behind your body.
4. Extend your coiled leg and strike the ball with the laces of your shoe. Be sure to keep your toes pointed and ankle locked during contact.
5. Follow through your kick to finish the shot. Rotation is the key to power, so allow your body to fully uncoil. It's not unusual for players to complete a 180-degree turn during the volley.
6. Repeat Steps 3 through 5 without allowing the ball to bounce.

Tips & Warnings

• Strive to make contact with the ball at or slightly below waist height. Taking it higher saps your volley of power and puts surrounding players in danger.