Striking The Soccer Ball And Body Shape
Striking The Soccer Ball & Body Shape
There are many techniques and situations you can practice for in preparing to strike the ball and making sure your body
shape will allow for the shot – but none of these drills will prepare you more than experience itself – that is, doing it on the
pitch on match day.
Striking the ball is all about simply hitting the ball in the right spot to make it do what you want it to do – you are in
control of where you want the ball to go.
You can practice simple exercises like passing the ball correctly against a wall or between players and feeling for the parts
of your foot that feel good when you connect with the ball – you will know when you hit the right spot because it feels
effortless and no strain is evident and the ball goes exactly where you want it to.
At this stage, don’t get caught up in the technicalities of position, head movement knee over ball and so on and just practice striking the ball so it feels natural and effortless.
Stay relaxed.
When practicing long range shots, try and picture yourself in a match situation. There will be pressure on the ball and you
may have very little time to strike, adjust your body shape and so on.
Keep these simple factors in mind:
1. Standing foot shouldn’t be too close to the ball but close enough to help you balance.
2. Keep the ball down by keeping your body over the ball. Leaning back will cause the ball to fly into row z!
3. Aim to keep the ball on target every time – forget power and go for accuracy. Once you have mastered accuracy you
can add power.
4. Follow through the ball – hit through the ball and not just to the ball. Keep your kicking action flowing after the ball has
left your foot.
There is a lot to remember, but practice is the key. Try not to think too much about what you need to do and just try
doing it. It will all come with dedication and practice.
In match days you will not have the time to go through these motions – it needs to be instinctive. That will come with
practice because practicing prepares the body to let the mind do what you need to do.
Even if you have a half-chance on match day – take it and seize the moment. Always take any opportunity to have a go
otherwise you’ll never know if you can do it or not, will you?