Whether you call it soccer or "futbol," you must learn the proper way to kick the ball as basic first step in learning the sport. Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world in part, because wherever there are eager players and a patch of open space, you have a match. You use your feet to control and kick the ball, and occasionally direct the ball with you head, but never with your hands or arms.
Key Function
Your soccer kick ideally provides power, stability and accuracy. Getting control of the ball involves your entire body, and setting up for a shot is as important as executing the kick. Soccer demands excellent cardiovascular fitness from players. In contrast to other team sports, where many timeouts occur, professional-level soccer requires players to run almost non-stop during each 45-minute period.
Body Position
Basic body position determines how successful your kick is. When you run toward the ball, take a long last stride, ending with your "plant" foot near the ball, so that you kicking leg comes forward, slightly bent with the knee arriving over the ball before your foot. Flex your lower leg at the last moment to release the energy of your leg and transfer your body's forward momentum to the ball. Keep your kicking leg slightly bent, and position yourself so that you lean slightly forward as you approach the ball.
Drive Kick
Unlearning the natural tendency to kick the ball with your toes is something kids or beginning adult soccer enthusiasts need to tackle. You kick the ball with your "laces," or more precisely, with the bony area just above your large toe. By kicking with the top of your foot, and keeping your toes pointed toward the ground, locking your ankle in place, you derive power and accuracy in the kick.
Foot Position
Subtle changes in your foot position in relation to the ball, and your body angle determine how high the ball travels. You point your "plant" food in the direction you intend to kick, and keep your eye on the ball. You gain power by kicking the ball with your "laces" of the cleat or shoe. Keep your kicking leg slightly bent to keep from digging your foot into the ground. Put your foot slightly lower, or under the ball to kick it up, over another player. Leaning your entire body back slightly helps you achieve the "above" kick too.
Passing/Spin
Accuracy and control trumps power when you perform a passing kick. You kick the ball with the side of your foot when you pass it to another player. As in all shots, keeping your ankle steady or locked provides you with the most control, and protects you from injury. Putting spin on the ball is a more advanced skill, in which you use your leg motion and strike point to set the ball rotating and to curve the arc of the ball as it travels in the air.
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