Although a stock in trade in tennis, the volley in soccer is even more sublime and possibly one of the greatest skills you can master. As in tennis, a soccer volley requires a hit before the ball bounces. The ability to meet a ball in midair and control its direction "with a perfectly timed swish of a boot" is something most players can only dream of, writes columnist Will Tidey on the online sports site Bleacher Report. A handful of players at the highest levels, such as Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov, originally from Bulgaria, make the volley their signature shot. For a tremendous challenge to your athleticism, you can add the volley to your soccer game.
Expert Insight
Along with the instep drive, the long kick, the chip and the swerve or banana kick, the volley is a type of kick typically used to attempt to score. You kick the ball when it is completely airborne. You generally strike the ball with the laces, also called the instep, of the shoe, coach Alan Hargreaves notes in "Skills and Strategies for Coaching Soccer." Because the ball is airborne, "it is light and responsive, making the volley a powerful kick," Hargreaves observes. The need to balance on the nonkicking foot and make perfect contact with the ball on the instep make this a difficult technique, he adds.
Variations
The half-volley may be used when you can't quite get to the ball while it is still in the air. Take a half-volley on a ball that has struck the ground and is just starting to rise again. A side volley can refer to a volley taken with the ball at waist height that requires you to bend sideways as for a karate kick. Goalkeepers can also use the side volley, also called a sidewinder, for a quick and accurate means of distributing the ball after a save.
Memorable Examples
Berbatov finds the goal frequently with his volley, including a memorable one off a cross from teammate Nani against Liverpool. French standout Zinedine Zidane, in Champions' League action with Real Madrid against Bayern Leverkusen, received a popped-up ball from teammate Roberto Carlos and smashed a left-footed side volley past the goalkeeper. Dejan Stankovic of Inter Milan scored from around midfield with a spectacular smashing volley against German team Schalke, again in Champions' League play, after the Schalke goalkeeper came out of the penalty area and headed the ball a great distance in his direction.
Getting Started
You need to keep your toe down, your head still and your arms out for balance to correctly volley the ball, Hargreaves notes. Beginning players can start with a ball suspended in a net bag. Raise the bag to knee height and practice volleying it with the instep. Intermediate players can progress to volleying the ball back and forth at a height of about 4 feet off the ground while standing 10 to 15 yards apart.
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