Passing & Shooting techniques: An Overview

Sept. 28, 2001

Passing & Shooting techniques: An Overview:

Passing and shooting are essential parts of soccer. In your day to day practices, you must concentrate on the basics, and practice them to perfection. Remember to work on making solid contact between the ball and your foot. Always keep your foot either extended or flexed.

Finally, your leg should follow through after your foot makes contact with the ball…use momentum, not strength. These are the keys to passing and shooting.

Passing Techniques

Inside of the foot

The inside of the foot is the surface that makes contact with the ball Keep your kicking foot flexed, with your toes pointing up. Your other foot should be planted beside the ball, about a foot away

Inside instep

The inside of the instep is the surface that makes contact with the ball Turn your kicking foot somewhat outward and hold it that way, with your heel lifted. After making contact with the ball, let your kicking foot follow through, passing in front of your other leg.

Full instep

The full instep (laces) is the surface that makes contact with the ball. Extend your foot and hold it that way, toes pointing downward. After the kick, let your kicking foot follow through, swinging forwards and upwards.

Outside of the foot

The outside of the foot is the surface that makes contact with the ball. Keep your kicking foot slightly flexed and turned slightly inward. The kicking foot swings forward and to the inside.

Shooting Techniques

Drop Kick

Kick the ball just as it bounces up from the ground. Keep your kicking foot flexed or extended (depending on whether you’re striking with the side of the foot or instep).

Putting Spin on the ball

Kick the ball off-center. This gives the ball the desired spin.

Side Volley

While turning from the hips, use your full instep to kick the ball at hip height before it hits the ground. Keep your kicking foot extended. After your foot makes contact with the ball, your leg should follow all the way through.

Bicycle kick

Stand with your back to the goal, then thrust back toward the goal and kick the ball with your full instep. Take off from the kicking foot. After you take off, execute the shot by doing a scissors kick with both legs. An easier variation is to take off with the other foot and leave out the scissors kick.