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how to kick a soccer ball

How to Kick a Soccer Ball (Beginner-Friendly Guide)

Quick Scoop

If you want to learn how to kick a soccer ball properly, focus on four basics: body position, plant foot, contact point on the ball, and follow- through. These same fundamentals apply whether you’re passing, chipping, or shooting with power.[1][9]

Key Types of Kicks

  • Ground pass: A simple, accurate pass that stays on the ground, usually using the inside of your foot for control.
    • [1]
  • Chip / aerial pass: You slip your foot under the ball to lift it over opponents or into space for a teammate.
    • [1]
  • Goal shot / power shot: You strike with your laces (instep) to drive the ball toward goal with power.
    • [7][1]

Basic Mechanics: The 4 Pillars

1\. Approach and Body Position

  • Take a short, controlled run-up at a slight angle (3–5 small steps is enough for beginners).
    • [8][7]
  • Face your hips and shoulders roughly toward your target; this helps with accuracy.
    • [9][7]
  • For low, driven shots or passes, lean your upper body slightly forward; for higher, lofted kicks, lean slightly back.
    • [9][1]

2\. Plant Foot (Non-Kicking Foot)

  • Place your non-kicking foot beside the ball, not behind it, about 5–10 cm away.
    • [7][9]
  • The toes of your plant foot should point in the direction you want the ball to go.
    • [9][1]
  • Bend your knee and stay balanced over this leg; it’s your main “anchor” for stability.
    • [7][9]

3\. Contact Point on the Ball and Foot

Where on your foot:

  • Inside of the foot (big toe side): Best for accurate passes and short shots.
    • [5][9]
  • Laces / instep (top of the shoe): Best for powerful shots and long passes.
    • [1][7]
  • Lock your ankle (foot firm and not floppy) when you strike the ball.
    • [8][7]

Where on the ball:

  • Hit the middle of the ball for a straight, driven shot.
    • [7][1]
  • Hit slightly below the middle to lift the ball (chip or lofted pass).
    • [4][1]
  • Hit slightly above the middle to keep the ball down and avoid skying it.
    • [4][7]

4\. Follow-Through

  • After contact, let your kicking leg continue forward in the direction of your target.
    • [9][7]
  • For power shots, swing through strongly and finish with your laces pointing at the target.
    • [7]
  • For short passes, follow-through is smaller and more controlled, focusing on accuracy.
    • [1][9]

Step- by-Step: Simple Inside-Foot Pass

  1. Place the ball on flat ground.
  2. Take 1–2 steps back and slightly to the side of the ball.
  3. Step in and plant your non-kicking foot beside the ball, pointing toward your target.
    4. [9]
  4. Open your hips slightly so the inside of your kicking foot can face the ball.
    5. [5][9]
  5. Lock your ankle, swing your leg like a pendulum, and strike the middle of the ball with the flat inside of your foot.
    6. [5][9]
  6. Follow through gently toward your target, keeping your head over the ball for control.
    7. [9]

Step-by-Step: Power Shot with Laces

  1. Take a short angled run-up to the ball (3–5 steps).
    2. [8][7]
  2. Plant your non-kicking foot beside the ball, toes toward the corner or area you’re aiming at.
    3. [1][7]
  3. Lean your chest slightly over the ball to keep the shot low and on target.
    4. [7][1]
  4. Lock your ankle, point your toes down, and hit the center of the ball with your laces.
    5. [1][7]
  5. Drive your leg through the ball and follow through in a straight line toward the goal.
    6. [8][7]
  6. Use your arms slightly out for balance (don’t let them hang stiff by your sides).
    7. [10][4]

Step- by-Step: Chip / Aerial Pass

  1. Approach the ball more upright, with a shorter, relaxed run-up.
    2. [4][1]
  2. Plant your non-kicking foot beside the ball, again pointing toward your target.
    3. [1]
  3. Point your kicking toe slightly down and bend your leg so your foot can slide under the ball.
    4. [1]
  4. Strike the lower part of the ball with the front or inside of your foot, “scooping” under it.
    5. [4][1]
  5. Lean slightly back as you kick to help lift the ball, but not so far that you lose balance.
    6. [4][1]
  6. Follow through upward and toward your target with a controlled motion, not a huge swing.
    7. [4][1]

Common Mistakes (and Easy Fixes)

  • Leaning too far back: Ball flies high over the goal; fix by keeping your chest slightly over the ball for most shots.
    • [7][1]
  • Plant foot too far behind the ball: Reduces power and accuracy; move it beside the ball instead.
    • [9][7]
  • Loose ankle: Makes the shot weak and misdirected; lock your ankle and keep your foot firm at impact.
    • [8][7]
  • Looking up before contact: Causes miskicks; keep your eyes on the ball until after you strike it.
    • [8][7]
  • Over-swinging: You lose balance; focus on smooth technique first, then add power gradually.
    • [4][8]

Simple Solo Drills You Can Do

[10][1] [10][1] [7][1] [4][1]
Drill How to Do It Goal
Wall Passes Stand a few meters from a wall, pass the ball with the inside of your foot, and control the rebound.Improve first touch, passing accuracy, and rhythm.
Target Cones Place two cones as a small “gate” and try to pass or shoot through the gap repeatedly.Work on precise direction and consistent technique.
Corner Shots From just outside the box, aim at each corner of the goal with laces shots.Train accuracy and power under a clear target.
Chip Over Object Place a small obstacle (bag or cone line) and practice chipping the ball just over it.Develop feel for height and weight of chip passes.

Different Viewpoints: What Coaches Emphasize

  • Technique-first coaches: They tell you to slow down, focus on body shape, contact point, and balance before worrying about power.
    • [9][1]
  • Power-focused coaches: They stress speed in your run-up, hip rotation, and explosive follow-through once basic technique is solid.
    • [8][7]
  • Game-realistic coaches: They quickly move you into drills that include movement, defenders, and decisions so your kicking technique works under pressure.
    • [6][9]

“Latest” and Forum-Style Angle

Recent online coaching content and training blogs keep repeating the same core idea: modern players should master one reliable, repeatable kick before trying tons of fancy techniques. Many newer forum discussions also focus on how short, frequent solo sessions (10–20 minutes daily) improve kicking more than rare long practices, especially for beginners training alone.

[10][8][4]
“Don’t chase power first. Hit 100 clean, accurate balls with good form before you try to break the net.”

Quick TL;DR

  • Plant foot beside the ball, toes to target.
  • Lock your ankle and hit with the inside (for passes) or laces (for shots).
    • [5][9][1]
  • Hit the middle of the ball for straight shots, slightly under for lift.
    • [4][1]
  • Keep your head down, chest slightly over the ball, and follow through toward your target.
    • [7][9][1]
  • Practice little but often, using walls, cones, and simple targets.
    • [10][1]

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.