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Different Types Of Kicks In Football

Football is one of the most watched sports in the world, and the players’ primary objective is to put the ball in the net. As a football fan or aspiring footballer, check the list below for the type of kicks in football;

Different Types Of Kicks

Different Types Of Kicks

Football is a game of technique and style. It is a skill-dependent sport and majority of the skills required are determined by how players kick the ball. Some kicks are easy, while others need several practice seasons before the player can know it. The beauty of the game is based on how the players direct the ball on the field, from the free-kick to the corner kick, bicycle kicks, etc.; below is a list for you;

Push Kick

The push kick is among the basic type of kick in football and is one of the easiest to learn. As fundamental as this kick is, it is also essential because the highest percentage of passes are generated from it. Push kick is also called the ‘In-Side-Of-The-Foot-Kick.’ Push kick involves using the inside of the foot to kick, direct and move the ball related to a gulf potter. 

While doing the push kick, accuracy is important; ensure that you kick the ball at the center line with the inside of your strong kicking leg placed at right angles to the plant foot. A push kick is one of the most common kicks on the football pitch. 

As mentioned earlier, the push kick involves using the inside of your foot, extending your arms, and ensuring that your body aligns with the ball as you set out to use the push kick technique. Once you do this, you will achieve hundred percent accuracy and control of the ball.

The Laces Kick

This kind of kick is common among players, especially the defenders. It is a simple kick that requires a little practice, and when you get accuracy, you can do any type of kick. To do laces kick, ensure that the laces of your boot touch the ball. To achieve accuracy, put your arms in a running position, lean back, and divert your weight to the opposite side of the ball.

Instep Kick

The instep kick is crucial for midfielders that give long-distance passes. It is a kind of kick that requires practice, power, and precision to pass the ball through a significant distance on the field or score a free-kick. To position yourself for an instep kick, place your non-kicking leg beside the ball and sway your kicking foot close to the ball with locked ankles. 

Now kick the ball with the front or laces of your kicking foot. The essence of locking your ankle during an instep kick is to prevent injury and ensure an accurate kick. Getting the instep kick right makes playing free, corner, and long pass easy. You can’t underestimate the instep kick if you want to improve as a soccer player. 

The instep kick is essential because of its accuracy ad the fact that it provides a greater probability of hitting the target. This type of kick is also called ‘volleying.’

Back Heel Kick

As a footballer, mastering different kinds of kicks makes you an outstanding player, and the back-heel kick is one of them. Players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho use back-heel kicks to pass the ball, and this technique adds style and finesse to their game. Back-heel kick is challenging to learn, but with constant practice, it will be an extra style to your game.

The back-heel kick ensures an accurate pass and confuses the opposing team, especially when they are chasing you. To set yourself up for a back-heel kick, position your non-kicking leg close to the ball, lock your ankles, and put your toes in the forward position. Now, kick the ball with the strongest part of your heel, focus on the center of the ball, and ensure that the ball does not touch the ball, then use your knee to provide the power required. 

If you want to use the back heel kick to pass the ball to your teammate, position your back to their location for more accuracy. The backheel kick is a deceptive technique that can confuse the defenders as you won’t face them when you use it. 

Bicycle Kick – (Scissors Kick)

The Bicycle kick is common among all football players, irrespective of the position; attackers use it to score mind-blowing goals, while defenders can also use it to clear the ball out of the goal area. The bicycle kick is also called the acrobatic kick or scissors kick, and players do it by setting their body in motion and then kicking the ball in the air by raising the kicking foot first, followed by the supporting foot. 

A bicycle kick involves hitting the ball in the air while the player moves his body backward and kicks the ball in the opposite direction. Practicing the bicycle kick can be tedious; ensure you practice on a soft surface to avoid injury. Start with a backflip using your non-kicking leg, then hit the ball with the kicking leg. 

Free Kick

The free kick is common in football, and players like Lionel Messi are experts with this kind of kick. A team plays a free kick when the opposing team commits a foul outside box 18, and the kicker must put the ball in the position where the foul happened. There are two types of a freekick:

The Direct Free Kick

If the player takes it well, a direct free kick can lead to a goal. Once the opposing player commits the foul close to box 18, the direct free kick involves kicking the ball to get past the opponent’s wall and the goalkeeper straight into the net. Players like David Beckham are specialists in taking direct free kicks.

A direct free kick at a dangerous position taken by an expert can win a match for a team. Brazilian Juninho and Zico are other direct free-kick experts.

Indirect Free Kick

The indirect free kick may occur inside box 18 if the goalkeeper touches the ball with his hand from a pass from his teammate. Playing an indirect free kick may involve two or three players passing the ball to themselves to confuse the keeper and the defenders before the last person kicks it with the aim of finding the net. 

Becoming a specialist free kick taker involves various practices on and off the football pitch. Several teams have won a match through free kicks, and it will go down as one of the best memories for that team.

Goal Kick

The referee awards a goal kick when an attacking player kicks the ball above or past the opponent’s goal line. The goal kick allows a team to cool off and restart play from their goalkeeper. 

Toe Kick

The toe kick is another effective and deceptive technique used to throw off the opposing team players. It does not require accuracy and power like other kicks, but you must apply speed. The toe kick involves kicking the ball with the upper parts of your toe while the defenders are closing in and you are not that close to the ball. 

Most coaches always frown at their players that use this technique, but it can be helpful when an opponent is closing in, and the ball is distant; just kick the ball with the upper part of the toe while it goes in the desired direction. 

Corner Kick 

The corner kick is related to the free kick; however, it has a specific location where it is played on the football pitch. The corner kick occurs when the ball meets a defender and then goes outside the field behind the goalpost. A corner-kick specialist can score a goal through a direct corner kick or use the traditional method.

The traditional corner kick method involves playing the ball into box 18 for other teammates to contest and kick the ball inside the net with the head or foot. 

Hand Ball Kick

The hand ball kick occurs when a player touches the ball with his or her hands. The hand ball kick may be in the form of a penalty if the incident occurs inside box 18, or it may be a free kick if it happens outside the 18 box. 

The Own-Goal Kick

The own-goal kick occurs when the defender or keeper knowingly or unknowingly kicks or deflects the ball inside his net. An own goal is always very painful for the keeper or defender that kicks the ball inside; it may be the only goal that will make them suffer a defeat in a match. 

The Penalty Kick

A penalty kick occurs when the defender or opponent commits a foul on another player inside their goal area. The referee can also award a penalty if any player touches the ball with his or her hands inside box 18. The penalty kick requires composure and accuracy to get past the keeper and straight into the net. 

Shot Kick

A shot is any kick, header, or deflection aimed at the goalpost to get a goal. A shot can be from any area of the field, irrespective of the distance. 

Toe Poke Kick 

Players like Oscar of Brazil and Messi are famous for the toe poke kick. You can use the toe poke kick to either score or throw a pass. It involves using the toe to strike the ball. 

Also Read: Most Famous Player In Football

Tackle Kick

The tackle kick is mainly used to prevent the ball from getting to the opponent. To do a tackle kick, the player slides to get the ball off an opponent or prevent it from getting to them.  This kind of kick may lead to a foul which may warrant a red card. 

Volley Kick

Players like Van Persie and Gerrard are famous for their volley kick goals. The volley kick is always very fast and usually meets the keeper unaware. The volley kick involves the player kicking the ball mid-air with any of their feet. 

Wall Pass Kick

The wall pass is a 50-50 scoring technique during indirect free kicks. To play a wall pass kick, the player intentionally plays the free kick to meet their opponents so that they can get to their teammates. During the free kick, the player hits the ball to meet the human wall of the opponent so that the ball can go back to the teammate, who will then target the goal net. 

The ball may or may not go back to the teammate, however.  

Scorpion Kick

The scorpion kick technique involves positioning the body forward and hitting the ball by placing the kicking leg upward from behind. It is also called the reverse bicycle kick, and it is named the scorpion kick because of how the player forms a scorpion tail while doing the kicking. Players like Ibrahimovic have scored with this technique. 

Conclusion

There are several techniques involved in the game of football. This list will give you more insights into the types of kicks that can help you improve your performance or your football knowledge. 

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