Kicking is the action of throwing the ball with force with the foot, generally with the aim of crossing the goal line of the opposing team. The origin of this verb is in England, which comes from the word “shoot” which means to shoot or shoot, and it has been used in Spain practically since football began to be practiced in the country. It has always had the same meaning: to shoot at goal or shoot the ball in order to move it away from the area. Some announcers from different media, due to the internationalization of this sport, say that the players give an impressive “kick” to the ball when the circumstances are conducive to the use of this qualifier. This word was accepted by the Royal Spanish Academy in 1979.
Kicking on goal correctly is something that can only be achieved with practice. And it is not at all easy to be a great kicker, since not all footballers manage to send the ball to the place where they want, whether at short, medium or long distance. However, a series of tips can be followed in order to improve the shot, which are mentioned below:
- The player will have to advance the body on the ball so that it does not rise.
- The inside of the foot should be used for a set shot, as this increases the definition of the foot, although it also reduces power.
- If you are not looking for a shot with a lot of spin, you have to avoid shooting with the outside of the foot, since the shots made with this contact surface are quite difficult to place.
- The power of a shot is not always determined by force, but the technique of the hit also has a lot to do with it. The soccer player must hit the ball slightly below its equator when kicking, although taking care not to place the foot under it so as not to raise it.
Ways to shoot at goal
The different ways of shooting or defining the goal are explained below:
- Kick with the inside of the foot
The definition with the inside of the foot is usually created in situations close to the goal, in which you have to finish safely to one side or the other. For example, when a player reaches the baseline and passes backwards, the teammate who enters has to shoot very close to goal to try to score a goal.
- Kick with the inside instep
The inside of the instep is used for placement kicks, that is, kicks of a certain distance from outside the area for which a placement is sought both to one side of the goal and to the other. After driving the ball, the player has to shoot with the inside instep looking for a side of the goal with placement. These shots are not characterized by having a high power, but by having a placement to one side or the other.
It is very important that after hitting the ball the footballer ends up with his foot up, since otherwise the power of the hit decreases. In addition, the impact surface of the ball must also be taken into account. If you hit with the inside instep, you have to place your foot under the ball obliquely, that is, a little lateral, and once hit, the leg has to be up directed towards the side where you want to send the ball. ball. The supporting leg, the one that does not hit the ball, must always be next to it, neither behind nor in front, since not enough power is printed behind the shot and the trajectory of the ball will be upwards, and if the player is very advanced, it will be very difficult to lift the ball.
- Kick with the front instep
This contact surface is used to shoot with more power. In this case, the placement is reduced and it will be more difficult to direct the ball to goal, but on the other hand, much more power is obtained when shooting. When a player hits the ball with the front instep after having carried out his driving, he will be able to make it come out much faster and with much more force, although the direction will not be as correct as when using the inner instep.
In this type of hitting it is also essential that the footballer ends up with the foot up after kicking so that its power does not decrease, and as with the inner instep, the impact surface of the ball must be taken into account. In this case, the ball must be hit through the center and the body must be on top of it so that it does not go up. The supporting leg must always be next to the ball, never in front or behind, as is the case with the inner instep, and for exactly the same reasons.
Learn to shoot correctly
To shoot at goal, the player must stand behind the ball and put his supporting foot right next to it. Subsequently, you will have to bring back the leg with which you are going to kick and hit the ball with one of the contact surfaces of the foot previously described. It is a good idea to practice with both your strong foot and your weak foot, as this will improve you as a player.
Before kicking, a series of steps must be followed to aim: the player must be clear in which direction he wants the ball to go. The placement of the kickstand will help you define the trajectory of the shot: if you point your big toe to the right, you will shoot to the right, and vice versa. Nor should he look where he is going to shoot or the goalkeeper will be able to sense the direction of the shot.
After aiming, the footballer has to fix his gaze on the ball and lean over it if he wants the ball to go down, or backwards if he wants it to rise. Finally, you must hit the ball with the chosen foot contact surface and on the area of the ball appropriate to the goal you want to achieve.
