How to Do a Bicycle Kick in Soccer

It's glitzy. It's glamorous. It will always be Pele's move and the rest of the world's to imitate.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soccer Balls
• Soccer balls

1. Keep your back to the target and your eyes on the ball.

2. Bring the knee of your non-kicking leg toward your chest followed immediately with the same motion of your kicking leg. The movement of your legs will appear as if you're pedaling a bicycle backwards.

3. Extend your kicking leg to meet the ball while you're airborne and falling backwards.

4. Pedaling down with your non-kicking leg, kick through the ball.

5. Pull your toes back so your ankle makes a right angle as you connect with the ball.

6. Extend both arms and your palms facing the ground behind you to brace yourself.

7. Watch the knee of your kicking leg until you're on the ground to insure that you don't hit your head.

Tips & Warnings

• Comparisons to Pele won't be immediate. This kick takes practice to learn.
• If you increase the speed of the pedaling motion, the force of the kick increases.
• There's a lot of timing involved, so don't get discouraged if it takes a while to do this kick.
• Practice on a soft surface like a tumbling mat or your bed to learn how it feels to fall doing a bicycle kick. If you're a kid, it's probably not a bad idea to ask your parents before you start jumping on the bed.
• If you have any condition which would impair or limit your ability to engage in physical activity, please consult a physician before attempting this activity. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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[souf]

on 10/22/2006 Always keep your back bent; you can get a better jump at the ball so you will hear the word GOAL! by the announcer

on 6/30/2006 You should adjust the height of your jump to the ball with your non-kicking foot, and land on your palms first.

on 3/24/2006 When you are coming down from a bicycle, don't come down flat. Curl your chin to your stomach so you don't break your neck.

on 12/28/2005 I would caution you to perform a bicycle kick only when it counts. Mostly due to its potential hazards vs an actual advantage in the game. A U14 player recently broke an arm in two places because she was turning on her side and landed on her arm. Her body did not land on her arm at all, but her arm was on the ground first and took a lot of pressure that possibly caused the break. She was trying to save the ball from going across a sideline. Since the ball was kicked by another player and not herself, she did not have complete control of the angle of attack she had to make on the ball. Also, saving a ball from going across a sideline is hardly an excuse to use a potentially injurious bicycle kick because it is hard to aim at a specific team mate and change the course of a game. Believe me, it is easier to recover from a lost throw in than a broken arm or wrist.

I would say only use it when:

You are near the goal and the ball has been stabilized and in your possession. Do not bicycle kick an errant ball, you want to make a one touch shot with into the goal. Unless you are extremely sure of yourself and have had a lot of practice.

on 11/22/2005 First, start to jump (and jump with full commitment), with your kicking leg and start to lean back. Then bring your non-kicking knee up toward your chest and look at the ball. You should be almost horizontal in the air and a good distance in the air at this point. Then, fully extend your kicking leg and kick the ball with the laces. As you fall, watch your non-kicking knee and put your palms out to brace the fall. When you hit the ground (which should be the non-kicking side of your body), roll quickly from your back to your chest so you can get back up quickly.