1. Biomechanics of Kicking a Soccer Ball
Brendan Buchanan, Chris DeFeyeter, Jerad Leifeld

2. Introduction Many different types of kicks in soccer
Depends on the situation you are in
Two types we are focusing on is the goal kick and a laces shot
Require slight variations in the technique for each type

3. Objectives
Goal Kick: to clear the ball with maximal height and distance away from your own defensive side
Laces shot: maximum power while keeping the shot low and on target

4. Flight Path Laces Shot Goal Kick High velocity
Follows a straight line flight path
Keep ball under 8 feet ideally
Medium velocity
Follows a parabolic flight path
As high as you can without taking away from distance

5. Phases
Phase 1: Deciding contact point on the ball and approaching the ball
Phase 2: Cocking of the of kicking leg
Phase 3: Acceleration of kicking leg
Phase 4: Follow through

6. Approach Laces Shot Goal kick Sagital plane
Uses quadriceps, hamstrings and calf
Focus on contact point (near middle of ball)
Approach angle straight on (most common error)
Usually 1 or 2 step approach
Sagital plan
Uses quadriceps, hamstrings and calf
Focus on contact point (near bottom of ball)
Approach angle towards 45 degrees of ball
Usually 5 or 6 yard approach

7. Cocking of leg Laces Shot Goal Kick
Try to create longest moment arm as possible
Extension of hip, flexion of knee, plantar flexion of ankle all in sagital plane
Plant foot even with ball, knee and chest over the ball
Horizontal adduction of opposite shoulder
Try to create longest moment arm as possible
Extension of hip, flexion of knee, plantar flexion of ankle all in sagital plane
Plant foot even with ball, knee slightly behind the ball, upper body leaning back
Both shoulders hyperextended

8. Leg Acceleration Laces shot Goal Kick
Flexion of hip, extension of knee, plantar flexion of ankle in sagital plane
Extend knee as fast as possible to create greater velocity
Upper body leaned forward
Contact ball with laces
Flexion of hip, extension of knee, eversion of ankle in sagital plane
Extend knee as fast as possible to create greater velocity
Upper body leaned back
Contact ball with instep

9. Follow Through Laces Shot Goal Kick
Extension of knee, hip flexed, plantar flexion in ankle
Upper body leaned further forward
Jump off plant foot, land on kicking foot
Kicking foot follows through in a straight line
Extension of knee, hip flexed, dorsiflexion of ankle
Upper body leaned further back
Plant foot stays on the ground, land on kicking foot
Kicking foot follows through in a curved path

10. Laces Shot

11. Goal Kick

12. Leg Velocities Laces Shot Angular velocity: 12.2 Rad/s
Tangential velocity: m/s
Goal Kick
Angular Velocity 10.2 Rad/s
Tangential velocity 17.2 m/s

13. Ball Velocities and Forces
Laces Shot
53 mph
Goal Kick
47 mph

14. Velocities of Laces Shot
The average professional shot is 30 meters per second (67 MPH)
Average youth shot (12-17 years old) is around 15 meters per second (32 MPH),
Average college and high level amateur adults shot around 25 meters per second (55 MPH)

15. Sources
Manolopoulos, E., Papadopoulos, C., & Kellis, E. (2004). Effects of combined strength and kick coordination training on soccer kick biomechanics in amateur players. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 16(46), Retrieved from Google Scholarly.
Nunome, H., Lake, M., Georgakis, A., & Stergioulas, L. (2006). Impact phase kinematics of instep kicking in soccer. Journal of Sport Sciences, 1(24), Retrieved from Google Scholarly.
Reilly, T., & Williams, M. (2003). Biomechanics applied to soccer skills. In Science and Soccer (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp ). London: Routledge.
Kellis, E., & Katis, A. (2007). Biomechanical characteristics and determinants of instep soccer kick. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 6, Retrieved from Google Scholarly.