You’d agree that the soccer game deals with a lot of kicking. First, you kick the ball to pass to your teammate. Then, you kick the ball to score a goal. And when you think it’s all over, you kick the ball again to play a free kick, corner kick, or penalty kick.
There is no soccer game without the kicking of the ball. So, just as the ball is an essential part of the soccer game, the legs are vital to moving the ball around.
However, some players have had problems with kicking the ball, especially over a long distance. This usually causes a level of apprehension in the affected parties.
Perhaps you fall into this category? This article will examine why you have that problem and ways to overcome it and kick the ball over a long distance like a pro.
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Why Can’t I Kick A Soccer Ball Far?
There are several reasons why you may have this problem, and it is not limited or restricted to you alone. First, many people haven’t been able to get a nick on kicking the ball correctly.
Not only that, they have not also achieved their wish to kick it over a very long distance. Check out some reasons why you can’t seem to kick the ball far enough:
Lack of adequate technique
Whenever you tell anyone that you can’t seem to get your ball farther enough, they will think that you are doing it wrong. Kicking a soccer ball does not only deal with strength and force; it is more about technique.
Even if you have enough power to kick the ball far enough, you won’t kick it in your desired direction. This is because it will be all force and no technique. People get the positioning of the body and the placement of the feet wrong. This makes them unable to kick the ball far.
An example is when you wish to kick the ball from your penalty area to the opponent’s own. Then, you find your ball flying and stopping abruptly, nowhere near even the middle half. This would come as a shock because your desired aim was not achieved at all.
Another example is where you have the strength to kick the ball that far. But, instead of the ball flying towards the opponent’s penalty box, it goes towards the stands.
Still, when in fact measured, your kick would approximately be the same as kicking the ball from the penalty box to the opponent’s penalty box. Here, it is all force and no technique. This means your energy will go to waste as the aim is also not achieved.
Solution
Whether or not you have the strength in your leg to give a long ball with no technique, you need to learn how to kick a ball properly. Firstly, not all parts of the leg are used to kick the ball for a long-distance aim.
For one, your shoulder and body should lean back when kicking the ball. Also, there are ways your feet should be planted.
When you are ready to kick a soccer ball, move a few steps to the ball if it is stationary. Do not face the ball directly in a linear way but form a curve.
If the ball is moving, push the ball slightly forward. In both instances, you take a few steps towards the ball and place your other foot beside the ball.
Let it face where you wish to direct the ball. Then, use the side of your dominant foot or the top of your foot to kick the ball. Lean your shoulder and body to the back when playing the ball.
Stretch out your hand for balance. Then kick the ball with a sense of direction and precision. Try it all over again until you get it right.
The wrong set of footwear
Another reason why you might not seem to kick the ball far is that you are wearing the wrong set of footwear for that exercise. Whenever you see a player, you see them wearing special footwear, which helps them kick the ball better and farther.
Any other footwear would not achieve the same goal on a pitch like that special piece. This special footwear is called ‘boots.’ The boots are of a special kind that allows for complete direction and control of the ball.
An example is when you decide to use your Oxford or Brogues shoe to play a soccer ball. Unfortunately, no matter how well you shoot the ball, you might not get a perfect shot.
This is because the shoe is not the right type for the ball. So, it would be best if you changed it to the right soccer boot. Another example is getting a boot that is not comfortable on your feet because it is larger or smaller in size.
You would find it difficult to hit your target well because the pressure and feet are not fully formed and effective with those boots.
Solution
The short answer is getting a boot that is your exact size. Sometimes, you might not know the right boot for you as ‘boot’ is a general name for a kind of shoe.
You can go to a shoe store anywhere in the United States and ask for soccer boots. When outside the United States, you should ask for ‘football boots,’ as soccer is known as ‘football’ by the rest of the world.
Ensure you test and feel the shoe to determine if they’re comfortable before you buy them. Then, after purchasing a boot in the correct size, you can go kicking the soccer ball as far as you wish.
- Soft synthetic lining; Traxion outsole
- Die-cut EVA insole; Moulded EVA midsole
- Legendary boots with a touch of class.
Last update on 2023-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Under pumped Soccer ball
Sometimes, the problem might not be you. It might be the soccer ball. The soccer ball should be of a particular air pressure to ensure direction and air restraint are achieved.
If the soccer ball has lesser air pressure, it can’t travel that much, and it would automatically not move far. Additionally, when the ball skin is too light, it will not follow the directions of the wind as all its air restraint would be lost.
So, you have to ensure you have the proper ball and the right air pressure in your soccer ball. For example, let’s say you kick a ball that has been lying on the ground for days or weeks without anyone pumping or moving it.
The ball won’t move as far as you want it to. This is because the air pressure in the soccer ball would have been reduced. You will also discover you can squeeze in the soccer ball much more than is expected of a “standard soccer ball.”
Solution
The short solution is to put air into the soccer ball when it has less air than recommended. Then, it would be best to open the airtight seal to release some air and make it right when it has more air.
To know the correct air pressure required for the soccer ball, you should ask yourself what type of sports you are playing. This, in turn, depends on the soccer pitch.
Different soccer games have various soccer balls and air pressure. Therefore, when you have determined the type of soccer, you should ask for the recommended air pressure for the ball.
For a professional soccer match, the air pressure should be between 8.5psi to 15.6psi. You can measure the air pressure using the air pressure gauge or other methods, including the squeeze or bounce methods.
- Analog gauge
- Built-in pressure release valve
- Includes needle
Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Harsh Weather
Another reason why you may seem to have difficulty in hitting your target is the weather. You cannot possibly aim to strike a far distance during windy weather.
Why? The weather will not be settled enough for a ball to travel to the desired point. So, it is vital to take cognizance of the weather whenever you wish to play the game of soccer.
Even professional soccer players postpone their games when the weather is unfavorable. They do this because they know soccer isn’t just about skills and strength.
They know other factors like the weather determine whether they would be able to play and enjoy the game properly. A vivid example is playing a soccer ball to another end during a cyclone or heavy rain. The wind would indeed redirect the ball in another direction.
When it is rainy, the raindrops would affect the air restraint of the ball, reducing its probability of getting to its aimed location. The air is critical to the direction of a soccer ball, whether during training or a match.
Therefore, it is essential always to consider that whenever you wish to play a beautiful soccer game.
Solution
Since you cannot possibly dictate to the weather to act as you wish, you must be patient. You have to be patient for the weather to return to a calmer state before enjoying your game.
If you cannot wait that long, another option is to go for indoor soccer, where the weather is controlled for the ball’s flight. The downside here is that the pitch size might be smaller than you wish. As a result, you might not have the opportunity to kick the ball as far as you want.
The Pitch
The pitch is another reason you might not be able to shoot the ball as far as you wish. There are different kinds of pitches where the soccer game is played.
Where you find yourself on an enclosed pitch such as the one used for indoor soccer games, you might find it challenging to shoot that far. This is because the stands or an encasement will meet your shot.
Also, where the pitch is terrible and imbalanced, it affects any play done on it. It has to be balanced before a real game of soccer is played on it. An example is if you find yourself on a rocky pitch, you will have difficulty kicking the ball with precision.
Your foot may probably hit a stone before you kick the ball or the ball hits a rock before taking its flight. This would affect the ball’s direction and flight, leading to the ball going a close distance instead of a farther distance.
Solution
The solution to a bad pitch is moving to a better pitch. This would ensure you fully enjoy your game until that pitch is repaired and brought to a playable standard.
This would save the players from injuries and frustration. If the players continue to play on that field, there would be many injuries. Furthermore, fights will also develop from frustration when the ball doesn’t go as they wish after kicking it.
The use of your less dominant foot
You do not use your less dominant foot whenever you want to have the optimal effect on a soccer ball. The less dominant foot has less power and technique than the other one.
You would need months to train your less dominant foot before it can be at par with your dominant foot. So, you have been trying your less dominant foot, and your shot is not going as far as you wanted. You should switch to your other foot for a change and see the difference.
An example is seeing a dominant left-foot soccer player kick the ball with the right foot. Apart from looking awkward, the kick will have less power and technique than when kicked by their dominant left foot.
Where the player uses the less dominant foot to take a penalty kick or a free kick, the movement of the ball will be weak. As a result, the soccer ball might not get to the keeper’s position before it stops.
Solution
The solution is simple: use your dominant foot for kicking the ball. If you wish to kick the ball with your other foot, you have to train. This training will bring that foot at par with your dominant foot.
Training such as running, kicking with that foot, and lifting heavy things with the leg, are all necessary. Are you new to the soccer game and have no idea which of your legs is your dominant leg?
Then, to give you an insight, you can carry out a “kicking test” with the ball at different times with your legs. Then, you should notice the power from each leg and which of them you are comfortable kicking with.
Fitness and Health
Fitness and health are other reasons why you might find it difficult to kick the ball far enough. When you are unfit with little strength, you may find it hard to kick the ball with the precision and force it needs.
Sometimes you might be fit and healthy, but after playing for some time, you lose your strength rapidly. You will also find it hard to kick as far and as effective as you would have wished.
So, it would help if you were watchful about your health as it is essential to getting the optimal enjoyment from playing soccer. For example, when you have been running around or kicking the ball for some time, you become exhausted and weak.
You might find it challenging or almost impossible to carry out any physical activity during that time. This does not mean you have no technique or strength. But you are so weak that you cannot carry out those techniques successfully.
Another example is trying to play the ball when you are sick. No matter how hard you try, you are not in the right state for a game. So, your kick would not take the ball far. If only you were healthy and fit, you could achieve that aim.
Solution
The simple solution is to take care of yourself and get well. If you are weak, you should regain your strength before you try shooting the ball.
If you are sick, you should treat yourself and get well enough. You would need to regain your strength before you touch the round leather ball for a shot. Only with excellent health and strength can you achieve getting the soccer ball to move as far as you wish.
Conclusion
This article answers the question: ‘why can’t I kick a soccer ball far?’ We’ve given several practical solutions for various reasons as we believe everyone can hit the ball as hard and as far as they wish.
You need to know the reason why you can’t right now and work towards resolving that problem. To do that, explore all of the reasons we’ve given above. We’re sure you’ll find the one that applies to you.
After finding the causes, I believe that you can kick a soccer ball far as you wish now. Good luck!
Hi there, I’m Jay.
Soccer is everything in my life! My friends and I have created this blog with all our enthusiasm, passion, and understanding after years of playing pro soccer. Hope you will enjoy it!