How to kick (need help with help)

[servotron]

Hey there everyone, it's been a while since I've read this forum but I've always like trying to help people learn how to kick with power and proper form. I've always said I was going to try and make a video, but I thought pictures might be a good idea as well...

So my friend and I went to the park the other day and he took pictures with his incredibly nice, expensive digtial camera (Nikon D300) and we got hundreds of good shots that demonstrate form and technique.

I'd like some feedback from experienced players and coaches on how I might be able to best explain what's happening to someone who is asking the typical "how do I kick hard" question without having to write up an essay on it every time.

Here's an animated GIF I made out of a few of the shots.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o61/epson651/kick01.gif

[rca2]

I think its great that you have a frame showing the planted foot coming down and the follow-through, but do you have a picture showing how the foot makes contact with the ball? From these shots you can't tell which part of the instep you are using. An earlier picture showing your approach would probably help too. The quality of the photos is impressive, and the movement of the hips and lower back is shown very well too. If inserting a "moment of contact" frame in the GIF ruins the depiction of the hips and lower back movement, you could simply use a still photo of the moment of impact to supplement the GIF showing the back and hip movement.

[djl304]

It might just be from the angle of the pictures, but when you land, do you normally land in front of where you struck the ball or do you turn when you follow through? I think it would help if you worked on striking through the ball instead of around the ball (if that makes any sense). I guess what I am trying to say is that instead of striking by making an arc with your leg, it could help if you struck the ball in a straight line (again, that is just what I see from the pictures, but the angles could be different).

[clarke_19_rangers]

to get more power after you hit the ball try to get both feet above the ground. After you hit the ball with your right bring it up then bring your left up just after, after the left is at full stretch bring your right then slowly your left back to the ground. this is how i get power.

[garethchelsea]

on the last one open your eyes lol

no but maybe a video would be better it isn't very clear with that there is only 3 pictures yet there are many sub routines to a kick

[Lovefutball]

I know D300 can shoot faster than that! It might be a better idea to take a lot more pictures for a gif or just use a video.

Anyways, I think you can only do so much with videos. Plant foot, instep, knee over ball, and follow through. If you can depict that than it will be good!

You should also show them this picture of SG, imagine that power!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f263/dfeligomez/steven-gerrard-in-flight.gif

[GKbenji]

I did a section on my web site, JB Goalkeeping (http://www.jbgoalkeeping.com), that shows how to take a goal kick, but the technique applies to any driven ball, really. There are coaching tips and a video clip that breaks down the technique:
Taking Goal Kicks (http://www.jbgoalkeeping.com/distribute.html#goalkick)

Click on the little movie frame icon under the title for the video.

The Gerrard pic is a great example of the "long last stride" that gets the hip into action for more power.

[Lovefutball]

Exactly. That last stride takes a lot of focus and practice in my opinion. I always see kids who do the long run ups and try really hard to put the foot through the ball. So when I help anyone out, I always just walk up and try to use perfect technique, and show them how I get more power from good technique than what they get. Basically, I would stress that you MUST master the technique before you can start going for power.

[servotron]

thanks for the input, folks I appreciate it! I have literally hundreds of other photos, one just like the Gerrard one, I'll dig em up. I mainly chose the sequence I displayed above because I don't look like an absolute tool with a funny facial expression.

We're going to try a series of different angles and techniques next time out, I'll post them here since people seem to be interested ..

and FWIW my eyes are open the whole time, i just have squinty eyes, especially with the sun in my face

Here's the shot of what would probably be my "trying too hard" windup. I'm pretty sure this one went into Row Z, so to speak :)

http://www.flipty.com/images/bigkick.jpg

[clarke_19_rangers]

this is what i do to hit it hard:
video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL8JeTy2X6M)

As you can see i hit the ball at top speed and get both feet off the ground
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm254/clarke1234/output.gif