During a soccer kick, you must find the right level of back lift, or retraction of your kicking leg. As you approach the ball, plant your supporting foot next to the ball. Roughly 1 foot to the side should be sufficient. The arm on your kicking side should swing backward slightly, but not so far that you end up leaning backward. At the same time, pull your kicking leg back so that it can swing forward powerfully.
Function
A significant back lift -- in other words, retracting your leg far before swinging it forward -- helps generate force. With practice, you'll learn to determine how much back lift you need to send the ball different distances. After the back lift, swing your kicking leg forward so that the laced section of your shoe squarely contacts the ball.
Significance
Retracting your leg far helps create force, but if a defender is closing in on you, it might not be a safe choice. The farther you bring your leg back, the longer the kicking process takes. If you take too long, the defender could steal the ball or get into position to block your pass or shot.
Solution
If you don't have time to retract your leg far, perform a light kick. The ball won't travel as well,, but at least you won't give up possession to the other team. Instead of retracting your leg fully at the hip, bend your knee and then swing your lower leg to tap the ball. If you hit the bottom half of the ball, the ball will chip upward. Use the side of your foot to flick the ball to a teammate if you don't have time to bend your knee.
Considerations
When you are clear of defenders, the time it takes you to kick the ball might be less vital. But you still should control your back lift to avoid imbalance. For example, if you pull your leg back as far as you can, chances are you will lean backward slightly. When you lean back far, you're more likely to connect with the ball on its underside. This launches the ball upward, which might be a problem if the ball travels high above the goal or over the teammate to whom you are passing. Practice different levels of back lift to find a suitable kicking style that allows you to keep your balance and kick the ball with appropriate lift.
Member Comments