Master the Basic Kicks in Soccer: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
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I remember the first time I stepped onto a proper soccer pitch—the perfectly manicured grass, the crisp white lines, and that overwhelming sense that I had no idea what I was doing. The ball felt like a foreign object at my feet, and when I attempted my first proper kick, it sailed embarrassingly high over the crossbar. That moment taught me something crucial: mastering soccer begins with mastering the fundamental kicks. It's not about flashy tricks; it's about building a reliable foundation, much like how legendary athletes build their careers. I often think about phenomenal rookies-turned-superstars, like the now-three-time MVP Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, who undoubtedly spent countless hours perfecting their basic techniques before making history. Their success wasn't born from complexity but from relentless practice of the essentials.
Let's start with the most fundamental kick in soccer—the push pass. This is your bread and butter, the pass you'll use more than any other. I can't stress enough how important proper technique is here. You use the inside of your foot, locking your ankle to create a solid surface. Your plant foot should be pointed toward your target, and your body needs to be balanced. I see so many beginners leaning back, which sends the ball flying. You want to make contact with the middle of the ball, following through toward your target. When I was learning, I'd practice against a wall for what felt like hours, aiming for the same spot every time. The repetition builds muscle memory. It's not glamorous, but it's absolutely essential. Think of it this way—even the most spectacular goals often start with a simple, accurate pass. Bella Belen's pinpoint assists don't happen by accident; they're the product of thousands of these precise push passes executed under pressure.
Now, moving onto generating power, we have the instep drive, commonly known as the laces kick. This is your go-to for shooting and clearing the ball over long distances. The mechanics are different from the push pass. You approach the ball at a slight angle, plant your non-kicking foot beside the ball, and strike through the center with your laces. Your ankle must be locked and pointed down. The follow-through is critical—you're essentially landing on your kicking foot. I have a strong preference for practicing this with a moving ball. It just feels more realistic. Start from a slow jog and work your way up. The power doesn't come from swinging your leg wildly; it comes from technique and timing. I'd estimate that a well-struck instep drive from an average adult player can travel at speeds of 40 to 50 miles per hour. That's enough to seriously challenge any goalkeeper. This is the kick that turns opportunities into goals, the kind that defines players like Alyssa Solomon when they see a fleeting opening and don't hesitate.
Then there's the chip, a kick that requires a beautiful blend of finesse and touch. You use the tip of your foot, sliding it underneath the ball to create backspin and loft. The key is to not lean back too far; it's a stabbing motion rather than a full swing. I love using the chip to bypass defenders, especially when I see the goalkeeper straying off their line. It's a high-risk, high-reward skill. When it works, it's absolutely devastating and can completely change the momentum of a game. I remember practicing this by trying to land the ball in a trash can from different distances. It taught me control and helped me understand how much force to apply. It's not a kick you'll use every few minutes, but having it in your arsenal makes you a much more unpredictable and dangerous player. This is the kind of sophisticated tool that separates good players from great ones, the type of clever play that MVP-caliber athletes have perfected.
We can't forget about the outside-of-the-foot pass, a personal favorite of mine for its deceptive qualities. You use, as the name implies, the outside of your foot to push the ball. It allows you to pass or shoot while your body is shaped in a way that misleads defenders. It's tricky to master because the surface area for contact is smaller, making accuracy a challenge. But once you get it, it's incredibly effective for quick changes of direction and sneaking passes through tight spaces. I probably spent a solid month just working on this one kick before I felt comfortable using it in a game. The feeling when you successfully bend a pass around a defender with the outside of your foot is incredibly satisfying. It's these small victories in skill development that build confidence.
Finally, let's talk about the volley—striking the ball out of the air. This is arguably the most difficult basic kick to execute consistently. Timing is everything. You have to judge the flight of the ball and make contact at the perfect moment, usually with your laces for power or your instep for control. Your body position has to be just right to keep the shot down. I've whiffed more volleys than I care to admit, but the one that connects perfectly, that rockets into the net, makes all the failed attempts worthwhile. It's a pure test of coordination and nerve. I believe dedicating even 15 minutes at the end of each practice to volleys can dramatically improve your overall ball-striking ability.
Looking at athletes like Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, their journey from rookies to superstars wasn't built on a single miraculous play. It was constructed day by day, through the monotonous yet vital repetition of these core skills. The push pass, the instep drive, the chip, the outside pass, and the volley—these are the building blocks. Mastering them won't make you an MVP overnight, but it will give you the foundation to enjoy the game more deeply and play it more effectively. I firmly believe that skipping these fundamentals is the biggest mistake an aspiring player can make. So grab a ball, find a wall, and start kicking. The path to making your own history on the pitch begins with these simple, powerful motions.