How To Kick A Soccer Ball Essay

There is a myriad of soccer fans throughout the world. Most of the fans fall in love with the sport because of the many things a soccer player can do with a soccer ball. Players such as Roberto Carlos can do marvelous movements with his feet. Such things, as to being able to hit the ball with such finesse as to curve the ball as he pleases. He is known for being able to hit a soccer ball with such power and technique. So much technique that he managed to make the ball go around the defender line, change its starting path, and then return to its original path, which led to the net. Many say that Roberto Carlos defied the laws of Physics however, I beg to differ. Instead, I believe it is science rather than fiction. Now, I am no expert at doing such things, nor I can say I am the best at bending the ball like Roberto Carlos. However, what I can say is that I do know my way around kicking a ball with technique. Hopefully with the given information and enough practice you too learn how to kick a soccer ball.
First of all, there are many different ways for kicking a ball. It all depends whether you want to pass the ball, kick the ball with power, curve the ball or if you want to chip the ball (kicking it in such way that you lob the the ball over an opponent). It all depends where you hit the ball,

how hard, and which part of the foot you use (top, laces, inside, heel bottom) Subsequently, kicking the ball involves body movement and ball placement (mid air, on the ground, still, and moving). With most of the shots you might want to place the ball still. As you become better you can do all of these shots from different ways and the placement of the ball might vary.

However, before you even begin to start hitting the ball, there are a few things you might want to consider: First, one has to keep in mind is proper footwear. Having a pair of comfortable shoes can help you avoid painful blisters or any other type of discomfort. You should get a pair of shoes that does not fit you tight nor loose. Soccer cleats are encouraged as the grass can be slippery, making you fall onto the grass. Soccer cleats have cleats or studs that help you with traction. Secondly, you have to consider the type of weather. If the weather is too windy, the ball trajectory might be compromised and resulting in you missing the desired target spot. In order to get good results, try practicing when the weather is on your behalf. Not too hot, not to windy, not too cold. I personally prefer practicing in the afternoon when there is no wind and its not too hot. And of course, you need a soccer ball. But not just any, as there are different types of soccer balls. Some are heavy, some are light, some are small in radius. You don’t want a flat ball, as it might absorb the power of the strike significantly. This can result in the ball not getting the enough energy to go out flying. I recommend using a soccer ball that has enough amount of air so that it is really hard and can bounce a lot. This will give you better accuracy and the force of the kick can be transferred onto the ball properly.
Now that you have the necessary equipment to start your training, you are now ready to start the warm-up exercises. Before you start any type of strenuous exercise or movement that involves the use of upper and lower extremities, warm-up exercises are encouraged. Prior warm up exercises are encouraged in order to avoid any type of injury. This can be achieved by doing any type of cardiovascular exercises such as running or walking. And then, stretch the muscles of your body. Specially your legs as they are going to have the most impact of the exercise. You can do this by raising whichever leg you want to start with, towards your back creating a ninety-degree angle. Try to bring your leg even closer to your back by pulling it with your hand. You should hold said leg for about twelve seconds. Then, you sit down on the floor and spread both legs towards your sides. Try to keep your knees straight and down while holding the tip of your shoe with your hands for about twelve seconds as well. This will help you increase the flexibility of your muscles and so improve your performance. When finished, repeat the same with the other leg. After said exercises are finished, try to loosen your muscles and relax your body so that your extremities won’t be too stiff.
Prior to striking the ball, you should be able to control the ball proficiently.

This can be achieved by kicking the ball towards a wall repeatedly back and forth and alternating between left and right foot. This will help you with accuracy and leveling the amount of strength so that the ball does not go out of control and you can achieve better control of the ball. Also, try hitting the ball with the different sections of the foot: the inside, the outside, top (laces), the heel and the bottom. This will prepare you so that you can strike or pass with either foot and with any part of the foot. Something that will come in handy when you start practicing your shooting

skills.
Now that you are ready to kick the ball, you need to know the basics: passing the ball. Passing involves hitting the ball in the middle center of side that is facing you. Kicking the ball softly or hard depends whether you want to make a long or short pass. For this type of strike, you want to use the inside part of your foot. If you want to pass with the right foot then, your left foot should be facing the direction you want to pass the ball. Then, you swing your right foot back and then forward to hit the ball. The faster you bring back the foot from behind the more powerful the pass. Remember to slightly flex your left knee. This helps you have more equilibrium and helps you distribute your weight. The more bent your knees are, the more balanced you are. This helps you have a better control over your weight distribution and so add more power to the strike.
Next, get ready to kick with power. If you are looking to kick the ball with power in circumstances such as a free kick, shooting to score, or clearing the ball away from your side of the pitch, you want to have more power when you strike the ball. This can be achieved by placing the ball still on the ground and kicking it with the top (laces) of your foot. The part of the ball that you should aim for is the middle of the ball. You can also kick the ball with the outside part of your foot. Whichever is more comfortable to you. When adding power to the kick, the body placement becomes a big factor. You should stand behind the ball from about a couple of steps always facing towards the opposite goal. You have to be relaxed, try not to be stiff as this can make you miss the goal. As you approach to the ball, taking small steps, make sure the final step ends up right next to the ball. Then, try to lean towards your left side and bend your left knee. This helps you keep in balance and distribute the power and weight on to the right foot. As you bring your right leg from behind, try to extends your arms, open up your chest, and aim your torso towards the desired direction. During the entire process your back is arched. Then, flex your right knee towards your body slowly and then, bring it back until its fully flexed and hit the ball. The more rapid you bring back your right foot, the more powerful the kick.
Lastly, curving the ball can be a bit trickier however it is not impossible to achieve. Curving the ball involves the same concepts from passing and kicking with power: placement and power. When curving the ball, you place yourself behind the ball always aiming towards the goal, and you have to add force to the kick. However, depending in which direction you want the ball to curve, you have to either hit the ball on the left or right side or if you want curve the ball away, for example passing the ball farther away, then you want to kick underneath the right or left side of the ball. You use the same approach as to kicking the ball with force, however when you swing your foot back to the ball make sure your foot hits in the middle of the side and the shoe laces. In between the top and the interior part of the shoe. Then drag your foot, with power, and kick the ball to the side of the ball. This will allow the ball to have enough power to change its direction along the way.
Remember that practice makes perfect. Do not feel discouraged if you don’t end up with the desired results. Even Roberto Carlos had a lot of practice before he managed to master the art of shooting the ball, he is now known for his ability and technique. Sure enough, with enough patience, practice and perseverance you will soon know how to kick a ball.