Fundamental Skills in Football
BASIC TYPES OF KICKS IN
FOOTBALL
PASSING
o Passing is kicking at a target. Factors to
consider are distance, accuracy,
velocity, and timing.
- INSIDE OF THE FOOT
o The “inside of the foot” or instep
pass is the safest soccer pass.
Because of the large contact area
between the ball and the foot, very
precise passes can be executed.
The “inside of the foot” pass also
allows for exact passing and
volleying to a partner. We describe
here the proper technical procedure
for a stationary or rolling ball.
Instructions for correct technical
execution of the instep pass: the
differences between the low cross
and high pass are marked in bold.
o POSTURE:
A. The ball is approached frontally.
There is no bending of the leg.
B. During the pass, the upper body
is bent over the ball. (high = the
upper body is not bent over
the ball)
o SUPPORTING LEG:
A. Before the pass is executed, the
supporting leg is beside the ball.
(high = the supporting leg is
behind the ball)
B. The body weight is shifted onto
the leg.
C. The supporting leg is slightly
bent and the toes are pointing in
the direction of play.
o KICKING LEG:
A. Swing the kicking leg loosely
back, while turning it slightly
outward.
B. The toes are also pointing
outward.
C. The ball is hit exactly at the
centre of the instep.
D. During the pass, the kicking leg
swings loosely through.
- OUTSIDE OF THE FOOT
o The “outside of the foot” or side-foot
pass is the most technically
demanding passing technique.
Passes at full speed can be done
easier with the outside of the foot than
with the full instep kick or “inside of
the foot” pass, particularly in the close
distance. The “outside of the foot”
pass is suitable for, amongst others,
spin balls, free kicks, shots on goal
(including from larger distances) and
volleys. Note: the “outside of the foot”
pass is often employed to avoid
kicking with the “weaker” foot. This
fact must be taken into consideration
when training youngsters. The
“outside of the foot” pass may only be
used where the situation demands it
and in a sensible manner.
o POSTURE:
A. The ball is approached frontally.
There is no bending of the leg or
else just a small bend.
B. The upper body is bent slightly over
the ball.
o SUPPORTING LEG:
A. The supporting leg/foot is placed on
a level with the ball, but at a
distance. This is because the
kicking foot needs some internal
legroom in order to hit the ball.
B. The body weight is shifted onto the
supporting leg.
C. The supporting leg is bent slightly.
o KICKING LEG:
A. The kicking leg is slightly or even
strongly (hard!) angled and lifted.
B. The toes are turned inwards in the
direction of the supporting leg.
C. The ball is struck using the middle of
the outside of the foot.
INSTEP (SHOELACE)
o The single most important kicking skill in
soccer is the instep drive, also known as
the instep kick or the “laces” kick.  The
instep drive uses the quadriceps
muscles of the thigh to provide the most
powerful kick available in the game,
forcing the top of the foot (instep) to
propel (drive) the soccer ball forward.  touches the chest, the player quickly
Further, mastery of the instep drive
forms the basis for any number of other
kicks, including shooting, goal kicks,
corner kicks, chips, long passes,
clearances, volleys, half-volleys and
more.
HEADING
a. In heading, only the forehead should
make contact with the ball. A ball that
hits anywhere else on the head is
harder to control and is painful.
b. The eyes must be kept open during the
entire incoming flight of the ball.
c. The upper body should cock back, with
the chin slightly tucked in and the eyes
following the ball.
d. The arms should be bent at the elbows.
This gives balance and help the player
avoid being pushed out of the ball‟s
path.
TRAPPING
1. Inside of the foot
o One foot supports the body weight
while the other, a few inches away
from the supporting foot, meets and
stops the ball while drawing the foot
back to soften the impact.
 
2. Sole of the foot/ Stomp
o Trapping with the sole of the foot is
used for high, gently sloped balls.
3. Trap with Laces
o Trapping with the laces foot is used
for high, gently sloped balls.
A. Thigh Trap
- If a high lofted ball is falling diagonally
toward the midsection of the body, the
player should move to meet it with the
lower or upper part of the thigh.
B. Chest Trap
- The chest trap is used for high ball,
coming at sloping angles above the
midsection of the body. As the ball
draws back a few inches. This
decelerates and cradles the ball so it will
not bounce away.
DRIBBLING
- Inside and outside of the foot
a. The player should push the ball
forward using inside or outside of
the foot and making sure the ball is
within a foot reach.
GOALKEEPING
- This is the position the goalkeeper
moves in to when there is any threat of
a shot.
 Feet – shoulder width apart, toes
pointing forwards and slightly up on toes
(back studs/blades just grazing the
ground)
 Knees – slightly flexed  
 Hips – bent slightly at the hip (moving
body weight forward)
 Hands – palms facing each other
approximately a balls width apart
(position hands at roughly waistband
height)
 Elbows – slightly flexed (keep arms,
shoulders and upper body relaxed)
 Head – keep head up, eyes on the ball
at all times (use this rhyme – ‘Nose over
toes’ – this will keep the goalkeepers
body weight going forwards)
 Full body – Square to the ball at all
times.