How to Curve a Soccer Ball Around an Object
One of the hardest feats to accomplish in soccer is to bend the ball around an object, whether it's one opponent or a wall of defenders. Once you're successful in curving the ball, you can become an asset to your team on corner kicks or other dead-ball situations. It does take a lot of practice to master this skill, so grab a ball and start kicking.
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Instructions
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Position yourself two steps back and two steps to the left side of the soccer ball if you're using your right foot. This can give you a better angle when striking the ball.
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Run toward the ball, and determine if you're curving the ball using your instep or the outside of your right foot.
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Kick the soccer ball. If you want it to bend from right to left, use the inside of your right foot. You should strike the ball near the bottom right side of the ball. If you want the ball to curve from left to right, use the outside of your right foot. In both instances, the ball can suddenly dip, giving it a type of double-bend effect.
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Determine where your knee should align with the ball, since this can depend on the height of your kick. If your knee is over the ball, the ball should stay low to the ground. If you lean back slightly, the ball should raise into the air.
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Swing your hips as a follow-through. This can help guide the ball to its destination, and the follow-through is one of the most important aspects of a successful curve.
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Tips & Warnings
Try to spin the soccer ball as much as possible. You can do this by dragging your foot across the ball and striking the ball on the opposite side you want it to go.
It's easier to curve the soccer ball by using the instep of your foot rather than the outside, especially if you're in the early stages of learning how to slice the ball.
When kicking the soccer ball with the outside of your foot, avoid striking the ball with your pinkie toe. This can lead to a painful injury instead of a successful kick. Instead, hit the ball just below your pinkie toe, near the toe's knuckle.
