When playing soccer, you kick the ball for long passes, corner kicks, penalty kicks, and when you are trying to score a goal. To make a long kick move toward the ball and place your support foot next to the ball. Bend your knees a little then kick the ball with the instep of your other foot. As the ball moves away your foot should continue in a follow through motion.
During a soccer game, the players do not keep the ball for long, they pass it to another player on their team. To learn good and accurate passing skills it takes a lot of practice. A simple pass is made with the inside of the foot, but you can also pass the ball using the outside of the foot.
Heading the ball has become an important skill in soccer today. You can use your head to trap a high ball or to move the ball toward the net or even score. When heading the ball keep your eyes on the ball and use your forehead not the top of your head. A lot of the power used to head the ball comes from using your trunk and hips. Your timing is important. Your jump must be timed exactly right. Good timing comes from practice.
Trapping is stopping the ball's motion and getting it under your control so you can pass or dribble it. A squeeze trap is when you trap the ball with either the sole of your shoe or the inside of your foot. You face the direction the ball is coming from and as the ball rolls toward you or is about to touch down, you lift your foot and trap the ball firmly against the ground. You can trap the ball with your instep, shin, thigh, chest, or head depending on how far off the ground the ball is when it gets to you.
Kicking the ball gently and keeping it close to you and under your control while running down the field is called dribbling. To be a good dribbler you need to learn to swerve, dodge, and sidestep with the ball. Doing this will confuse your opponent.
|
|