Why is kicking/shooting IMPORTANT in soccer |
types of kicks |
Players who have good shooting skills know how to shoot in stride at different speeds, can shoot the ball from the air or the ground and can shoot with both speed and accuracy. All of which requires a lot of practice. Practice these soccer shooting drills with a family member or friend once or twice a week and you’re sure to improve.
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kicking cues for success
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/5/131508884/published/soccer-kicking-cues.png?1587671940)
Teaching cues for development of skill in kicking include: All Grades
- Place the non-kicking foot beside the ball
- Contact the ball in the center.
- Contact the ball with the top of your foot—not your toes.
- Focus on the ball, not on the target.
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/5/131508884/soccer-shoot-power_orig.jpg)
Teaching Cues for kicking for distance: Grades 3-5:
- Non-kicking foot next to the ball
- Contact ball below the the middle of the ball
- Contact ball with shoelaces (i.e., instep of foot)
- Follow through
- Kick hard!
grade level expectations
- Young 5 - Kindergarten - Kicks a stationary ball from a stationary position, demonstrating 2 of the 5 elements of a mature kicking pattern
- 1st grade - Approaches a stationary ball and kicks it forward, demonstrating 2 of 5 critical elements of a mature pattern.
- 2nd grade - Uses a continuous running approach and kicks a moving ball, demonstrating 3 of 5 critical elements of a mature pattern.
- 3rd grade - Uses a continuous running approach and intentionally performs a kick along the ground and a kick in the air, demonstrating 4 of the 5 critical elements of a mature pattern for each.
- 4th grade - Kicks along the ground and in the air, and punts using mature patterns.
- 5th grade - Demonstrates mature patterns of kicking and punting in small-sided practice task environments.
Kicking Elements - Critical Elements Stationary Kick (Y5 - 1st grade)
- Arms extend forward in preparation for kicking action
- Body trunk leans back slightly in preparation for and during kicking action
- Contact ball with top of foot (shoelaces) for kicking action
- Contact with ball is made directly below center of ball (travel in the air); contact with ball is made directly behind center of ball (travel on the ground)
- Follow-through toward target; kicking leg extending forward and upward
Place Kicking- Critical Elements - Kicking with Approach (2nd - 5th grade)
- Arms extend forward in preparation for kicking action
- Large step planting foot with top of foot (shoelaces) landing next to the ball
- Body trunk leans back slightly and flex knee of kicking foot
- Follow-through with kicking foot
- Small hop with planted foot
Punting - Critical Element - (5th grade)
- Large step with planting foot
- Hyperextend hip and flex knee of kicking foot
- Ball released above foot
- Follow-through with kicking foot
- Small hop with planted foot
practice drills
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/5/131508884/soccer-pass-and-shoot_orig.png)
Pass and shoot
Recommended equipment: 1 ball (a bag of balls is preferable), 1 goal
Number of players required: 2 players
Set-up: Player 2 stands just outside the penalty box. Player 1 stands 10m away from player one with the ball.
Exercise: Player 1 starts with the ball. Player 1 passes the ball to player 2. Player two lays the ball off to player one with a light tap with the inside of the foot. Player two runs to the ball and strikes it into the net (can be one touch or two touches).
Purpose: Practice shooting in stride with this soccer shooting drill.
Recommended equipment: 1 ball (a bag of balls is preferable), 1 goal
Number of players required: 2 players
Set-up: Player 2 stands just outside the penalty box. Player 1 stands 10m away from player one with the ball.
Exercise: Player 1 starts with the ball. Player 1 passes the ball to player 2. Player two lays the ball off to player one with a light tap with the inside of the foot. Player two runs to the ball and strikes it into the net (can be one touch or two touches).
Purpose: Practice shooting in stride with this soccer shooting drill.
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/5/131508884/soccer-shot-and-agility-snip_orig.png)
Agility and shooting
Recommended equipment: 1 ball (a bag of balls is preferable), 1 goal, cones (no set number), 1 training ladder (optional
Number of players required: 1 player
Set-up: Set up your own agility course using cones and a training ladder (if available).
Exercise: Create your own rules. Here are some ideas: high knees, butt kicks, hopping on one foot, frog jumps, etc. through the ladder. Lunge to touch each cone with your hand. Then, shoot one ball into the net and repeat the agility course.
Purpose: Practice shooting with weak legs. Improve agility and foot speed. Improve physical fitness.
Recommended equipment: 1 ball (a bag of balls is preferable), 1 goal, cones (no set number), 1 training ladder (optional
Number of players required: 1 player
Set-up: Set up your own agility course using cones and a training ladder (if available).
Exercise: Create your own rules. Here are some ideas: high knees, butt kicks, hopping on one foot, frog jumps, etc. through the ladder. Lunge to touch each cone with your hand. Then, shoot one ball into the net and repeat the agility course.
Purpose: Practice shooting with weak legs. Improve agility and foot speed. Improve physical fitness.
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/5/131508884/published/soccer-shot-turn-and-shoot-snip.png?1587673758)
Turn and shoot
Recommended equipment: 1 ball (a bag of balls is preferable), 1 goal, cones (no set number), 1 training ladder (optional
Number of players required: 1 player
Set-up: Set up your own agility course using cones and a training ladder (if available).
Exercise: Create your own rules. Here are some ideas: high knees, butt kicks, hopping on one foot, frog jumps, etc. through the ladder. Lunge to touch each cone with your hand. Then, shoot one ball into the net and repeat the agility course.
Purpose: With this soccer shooting drill, practice shooting with weak legs. Improve agility and foot speed. Improve physical fitness.
Recommended equipment: 1 ball (a bag of balls is preferable), 1 goal, cones (no set number), 1 training ladder (optional
Number of players required: 1 player
Set-up: Set up your own agility course using cones and a training ladder (if available).
Exercise: Create your own rules. Here are some ideas: high knees, butt kicks, hopping on one foot, frog jumps, etc. through the ladder. Lunge to touch each cone with your hand. Then, shoot one ball into the net and repeat the agility course.
Purpose: With this soccer shooting drill, practice shooting with weak legs. Improve agility and foot speed. Improve physical fitness.