Alright, this seasons pet project...how to increase distance on clearance attempts and free kicks. I coach a U-13 girls Classic (not up to select, above rec) team. For the most part the girls cannot get much height, or distance (sometimes both) when trying to kick long. Any suggestions for exercises that will work on this? And of course advice on technique always welcome. How important is developing torque by approaching some from the side, off foot further back for hieght, approach speed not that important but strength is comong from quads so on the backswing the heel should be high, quad strengthening exercises, especially those that can fit in a soccer training context. thanks
Have the players lean back as they strike the ball. That should put the ball in the air for a longer time.
My son is a 13 year old keeper -- his goalkeeper coach recommened just hitting the ball cleanly at about 80-85% of effort. Once consistency and accuracy are established, length will come naturally. You can't start off with power alone since the balls will spray everywhere.
The power in a laces or instep kick comes PRIMARILY from the abs and lower back.... the torsion created from approaching the ball at an angle is very important. But it is not the only thing. I teach footskills clinics and camps, and if you'd like I could send you my 5 steps to proper instep drives. It's a little long, so I won't post it here if you all don't want me to, but it is probably the info that you are looking for.
That would be great, and maybe they'll complain less about doing abdominal crunches... check your PM for my e-mail address?
Two of the biggest problems I see with instep drives in lesser skilled players are 1) Floppy Ankle Sydrome and 2) contacting the ball with the wrong part of the foot. The two are somewhat related. Starting with 2) first. Skilled kickers contact the ball higher up on the foot, towards the ankle where there is less "give". This imparts more force to the ball. In order to do this, the toe should actually be pointed outwards a bit so the foot can get under the ball. The contact point is then at the bony point on top of the foot, not directly on top but slightly to the inside of the laces. Unskilled kickers often try to contact the ball with the actual laces and catch the ball with their toe, and the foot gives and provides no power. Or they will turn their foot completely outwards and essentially make a push pass. Proper foot angle is critical to making contact at the right point. Then point 1) comes into play. If the foot is at the wrong angle, is is much harder to have a locked ankle when striking the ball. If the player can't make a solid surface to strike the ball, everything else is moot. To get more distance and loft on kicks, think more like a wedge than a driver or putter, to use a golf analogy. Your putter is a push pass. A true driver is a low, driven shot with knee over the ball that actually does use more the actual top of the foot and shoelace area. To get a long, high kick, think in between, like a 3- or 4-iron.
-------- Does buying 200 dollar pair of boots with kangaroo leather such as New ADIDAS Predator Pulse X-TRX which claims to have redistributed the weight of the boot torwards the laces for improved power help? Please tell me because this is exactly why I would like to purchase these boots? -------- Can you please email me the 5 steps at yamshadbz01@hotmail.com Thanks a lot
Ummm, the old buying ability marketting ploy. In essence, no, equipment will not make up for solid skill. I would imagine, just like every other sport that has marketting gimmicks to get the "fastest/longest/best if you buy xxxx" this is nothing more than a marketting gimick and IF it makes any improvement it will be un-noticeable to 99% of the people who do it. Learn the proper form and technique, and you will improve.