Comments on How to Do a Bicycle Kick in Soccer

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

For a successful bike kick, jump with your kicking foot. This allows you to produce more torque to input to the power of your shot.

After you strike the ball, immediately turn your head to either side and your body will follow, causing you to land on your side (which is a lot more comfortable).

You must be careful when using your arms to break your fall. A guy on my team broke his arm because he used his arms to break his fall.

After you strike the ball, immediately turn your head to either side and your body will follow, causing you to land on your side (which is a lot more comfortable).

For a successful bike kick, jump with your kicking foot. This allows you to produce more torque to input to the power of your shot.

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.