Comments on: How to Shoot a Soccer Ball With Power

on 8/4/2008 There are many keys, they all need to happen in tandem for the desired effect. First, your plant foot needs to be fairly even with the ball, not behind, which is a common mistake. Then the striking leg should have a bent knee and the toe should be curled under and the front of the foot flattened like a paddle. Strike through the ball and land on the striking foot with the plant foot following. It should be forward motion. During the strike, your chest needs to remain down and over the ball as if a third eye in your chest has to watch you strike the ball throughout the whole process.

There are mitigating circumstances where some of these striking positions need to be altered to get a different effect, but for the standard shot, this is the proper method and can be repeated with either foot.

on 10/27/2007 Question:I have been struggling lately with a "simple shot". Running into the PK area on the right-side, just off the line of the goal post, defender shoulder-to shoulder with me, on my left. I want to drive the ball, low and hard without spin towards the far post. BUT, I either curl it waist high at the keeper, or I miss it wide. It's just very difficult to time the shot so that I don't impart a strong spin on the ball in these situations. Anywhere else in and around the PK area (left, center, etc) my right-left curl shot is very natural, but here I struggle. I have tried all kinds of different angles, turning hips, hitting with the outside of the shoe (very low percentage) but nothing works. I am starting to think I should just shoot at the near post, low. However, then I watch Chelsea vs Man.City, 6-0, with every goal from this area and I know there must be a way... Advice?

on 4/24/2007 Just like in golf, you need to relax, and focus, after kicking hte ball don't immediately look up to see where it is going, give it a second, because as you jerk up you can move your foot slightly to the side, messing up the follow through and robbing the ball of accuracy.

on 8/8/2006 Relax your whole body and mind and loosen up before you strike the ball. If your mind, body, and muscles are tense before you strike the ball and you try to kick it as hard as you can, you will deliver a poor strike. If you are relaxed and just follow through the ball, your natural leg strength will come through and produce a quality strike.

on 8/8/2006 Run up to the ball, jump with your kicking foot and lock that ankle in mid-air. The jump gives more power and the lock gives more accuracy. Kick the ball then follow through afterward. If you stop after your kick, it will decrease the distance and power of the kick, thus all the energy you use is a waste. If you want to aim high, kick a few inches back to raise the kick, but this uses more power. If you follow through, it should raise the kick. Follow through means that you keep moving your leg after the kick.

on 7/8/2006 To bend the ball around a defender and into the corner of the net, use the inside of your foot. Strike the ball on the corner and imagine you're trying to scoop around it. Always keep your toes down and ankle locked. Strike the ball with power and always follow through your shot.

on 7/6/2006 From inside the 18, a well-placed shot will be much more effective than a blasted effort hit right into the keeper's hands. With all the traffic in front of the goal in a crowded box, there's a good chance the keeper won't get a good look at it or you'll get a deflection or some such thing.

on 6/30/2006 If you have a free kick, place the ball so that an octagon on the ball is close to the ground. Before you kick, look where you want to kick then look at the octagon on the soccer ball and try to kick it there. Also, put your plant foot 6 inches behind the ball and lean back slightly. This will help you kick it off of the ground.

on 6/30/2006 When you're in the area, it is very hard to get in for a clear shot, so you would have to avoid defenders. If you are right footed, then use your left foot to tap the ball to the right and quickly chase after it. Before the defender can catch up, take a straight shot with power to the corner of the net (best if kept low). This way the shot will have a great chance of going in, as it is a surprise to both the keeper and the defender. You can also lift the ball up doing the same then doing a volley, this is very difficult but once you can manage it it isn't only a good way to score, but also a great way to show off your skills. You will get much praise from your team mates.

on 4/2/2006 Never dive in when defending because the opposing player can easily get around you. Instead, pretend you are on a surfboard and have your feet slightly slanted. However, make sure your feet are not too far apart because then all the other player has to do is kick the ball through your legs.

on 4/2/2006 Always dribble with the outside of your foot when facing a defender because it gives you more control, you can do your moves faster and better, and it is harder for the other team to defend.

on 10/1/2007 To make the ball curve to the left you have to approach the ball from an angle and keep your hips slightly twisted to the left. Put your non-kicking foot (knee bent) 6 inches next to the ball, your shooting foot ankle is locked, hit the ball on the bottom right corner, and when you follow through let your hips guide you. That should make the ball curve (perfect for free kicks).

on 3/16/2006 If you are taking a free kick just outside the goal box on the left side, then you can try to curve the ball into one of the top corners. This is hard for a keeper to time when the ball is going to curve into the net, you can also do this on the right side.
Also, if you are right footed and can kick the ball harder with your right foot, then use your right foot when you are on the left side so you can curve the ball better.

on 1/26/2006 When you want to take a powerful shot, make sure the foot you're not shooting with is about 6 inches right next to the ball. Lock your ankle, toe pointing down, and try hitting the ball in the center with your laces of the cleats. After hitting, follow through. If you want the ball to go higher in the air, position the foot you're not shooting with further back away from the ball, but if you want it lower, position it 90 degrees right next to the ball.

on 1/26/2006 After taking a few stationary shots, you'll get a sense of how far behind and to the left or right of the ball you should be. To give yourself that distance in a game, follow the example of Stephen Gerrard:

Tap the ball to the right (or left) with the outside of your kicking foot, following it in the same step.

This will give you those needed steps to the ball to really get power.