Great forwards who make crafty moves to the goal get much of the attention in soccer. Still, there is plenty of room for midfielders with power and accuracy to crank shots from what the NBA calls "downtown," or in soccer terms, well outside the penalty area. Perhaps no player excels at this more than Steven Gerrard, who thrills Liverpool's fans with screamers such as a 2004 rocket against Olympiakos that prompted commentator Andy Gray to declare rapturously, "Oh, you beauty!" In a video interview, Gerrard himself stressed the importance of power and accuracy: "Make sure it's going to find the right target and try to generate the power. "
Step 1
Set the ball on a slightly higher tuft of grass to avoid having the toe of your kicking foot stuck in the turf. Step back three steps and one step to your left if you are right-footed. Reverse these directions if your left foot is dominant.
Step 2
Run toward the ball to practice what is called the instep drive. Land your plant foot five inches to the left of the center of the ball. Point your toes toward your target, recommends Deborah W. Crisfield in "Winning Soccer for Girls." Keep your body over the ball to maximize accuracy; leaning back will send the ball too high skyward.
Step 3
Point the toe of your kicking foot and bend your knee as you make contact to keep your pass on the ground. Contact the ball with the laces of your shoe, also called the instep. Aim to contact the ball in its center from left to right and also centered top to bottom. Keep your knee above the ball to center your kick from top to bottom. Check whether the kicked ball spins or swerves to know whether you have hit it off-center and adjust your next practice kicks accordingly.
Step 4
Snap your lower leg forward at the knee as you make contact to add power and twist the hip of your kicking leg to further bolster zing on the ball. Extend your arm behind you for balance.
Step 5
Follow through with the bottom half of the leg continuing forward and curling left across the front of the body. Let your body become airborne and land on your kicking leg.
Tips and Warnings
- Practice the instep pass as much as possible, Gerrard advises, and practice using both feet so your left side becomes strong as your right side. Look up and aim for the far post if you are trying a shot; a powerful shot is difficult to save, recommends Colin E. Schmidt in "Advanced Soccer Drills." Keep your ankle stiff and watch the ball on contact.
- Do not hit the ball with the flexible area of your foot by the toes, Crisfield advises. You lose "both accuracy and power because the surface will give a little," she writes.
Member Comments