What Is Kicking in Soccer and How to Master the Essential Techniques

Let me tell you something about soccer that often gets overlooked in highlight reels - kicking isn't just about that perfect goal or spectacular save. I remember watching a PBA Commissioner's Cup match where things got heated between Mark Barroca and Adrian Nocum during Magnolia's clash against Rain or Shine. That confrontation wasn't just about tempers flaring - it was fundamentally about positioning, about who could control the space and ultimately the ball through superior kicking technique. Having played competitive soccer for over fifteen years and coached youth teams for the past six, I've come to appreciate that kicking represents the very heartbeat of the game, yet so many players only ever scratch the surface of what's possible with their feet.

The fundamental truth about soccer kicking that most beginners miss is that it's not just about making contact with the ball. I've seen countless young players focus solely on power while completely ignoring technique, only to wonder why their shots lack consistency. Proper kicking involves your entire body - from the planting foot that determines your direction, to the subtle lean of your torso that affects trajectory, all the way to the follow-through that dictates power transfer. When I first started playing seriously at age fourteen, my coach would spend entire practices just having us practice the non-kicking foot placement until it became second nature. That foundation allowed me to develop more advanced techniques later, and it's something I emphasize with every player I coach today.

Passing represents perhaps the most underrated kicking skill in soccer. Statistics from professional leagues show that players complete between 40-80 passes per game, yet most amateur training sessions dedicate less than 15% of time to passing technique. I've developed what I call the "three-touch philosophy" - every pass should consider the receiver's first touch, their potential second touch to control, and their third touch to make a play. This perspective completely changed how I approach building attacks from midfield positions. The inside-of-the-foot pass remains the most accurate technique, with professional players achieving approximately 88% accuracy rates compared to just 65% with outside-foot passes, yet I've noticed many recreational players default to the flashier outside-foot passes in situations where simplicity would serve them better.

When it comes to shooting, I'll be honest - I've always favored power over placement, though experience has taught me that balance is crucial. The instep drive, what many call the "laces" shot, generates the most power with ball speeds reaching 60-80 mph for professional players. I remember specifically working on my shooting technique for three months straight, taking 200 shots daily after practice until I could consistently place balls in the upper corners. That dedication translated directly to game performance, with my goal tally increasing from 4 to 17 in a single season. The secret most coaches won't tell you is that shooting accuracy improves dramatically when you focus on your plant foot positioning first and your striking foot second - it's counterintuitive but incredibly effective.

Set pieces represent what I consider the chess matches within soccer matches. Having taken over 300 corner kicks in competitive matches throughout my career, I've developed a personal preference for out-swinging deliveries despite statistics showing in-swinging corners produce 12% more goal-scoring opportunities. Why? Because out-swingers allow for better timing of runs and create more varied attacking options. Free kicks offer another dimension entirely - the difference between scoring and hitting the wall often comes down to minimal adjustments in approach angle and foot placement that I've spent years refining. My personal record from direct free kicks stands at 9 goals in a season, which I attribute to my unconventional three-step approach rather than the standard four or five steps most players use.

What many players neglect is the defensive aspect of kicking - clearance techniques can be just as important as scoring strikes. I've found that the driven clearance, using the instep with a slightly leaned-back torso, provides both distance and height to relieve pressure effectively. In one memorable match, our team faced constant offensive pressure for nearly twenty minutes, and it was only through disciplined clearance techniques that we maintained our lead until halftime. The statistics support this - teams that execute clearances with proper technique retain possession on approximately 34% of these plays compared to just 17% when simply booting the ball away aimlessly.

The mental component of kicking often separates good players from great ones. I've developed what I call "visualization kicks" where I mentally rehearse specific techniques before matches, a practice that has improved my in-game execution by what I estimate to be at least 20%. This mental preparation becomes particularly crucial in high-pressure situations like penalty kicks, where studies show players who employ pre-kick routines convert at nearly 15% higher rates than those who don't. My personal routine involves three deep breaths while visualizing the ball's trajectory - it's simple but remarkably effective.

Technology has revolutionized how we approach kicking technique today. When I started playing, we had only basic video analysis, but now with advanced metrics tracking everything from spin rates to optimal approach angles, players can make technical adjustments with precision we never dreamed possible. The data shows that modern professional players have improved their passing accuracy by nearly 8% across the board in the past decade alone due to these technological advancements. Still, I maintain that no technology replaces the value of repetitive practice - the muscle memory developed through thousands of repetitions creates reliability that even the best analytics can't guarantee.

Looking at that PBA match between Magnolia and Rain or Shine, the confrontation between Barroca and Nocum wasn't just about aggression - it was about two players positioning themselves to best utilize their kicking abilities in a high-stakes situation. These moments underscore why mastering fundamental techniques matters long before players find themselves in pressured scenarios. Throughout my playing and coaching career, I've consistently found that players who dedicate themselves to technical mastery enjoy longer careers and make more meaningful contributions to their teams. The beautiful part about soccer kicking is that perfection remains always just out of reach, providing endless opportunities for improvement regardless of how long you've played the game. That pursuit of technical excellence, much like in that heated PBA encounter, often separates memorable players from forgotten ones.