I would really appreciate some advice how to help our son who is only eight. He loves playing football, and plays in a local team, but because he can't kick the ball very well (ie hard and straight) his confidence in playing is not very good. We believe that if he could learn to kick the ball right his confidence would increase so much and he would play more confidently and hopefully be allowed to play in the matches and not just be a sub, which he is now. He is a good defender and not afraid to tackle, but as the manager has taken on so many new and better players it looks as if our son will be on the side line for ever, which is hard at his age.
He keeps practising but does not seem to get the power in his shots, and he does not seem to know how to make the shot better himself. His manager says "it will come" so should we just leave it alone or can you get coaching on one-to-one-basis because his dad does not seem to be able to get it across to him?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

hi there. i was quite a small lad when i was younger and played with a lot of taller boys in my team (no sick jokes please ) i also found it hard to get power in my shots, but i now know what i was doing wrong.

basically i would always try to kick it as hard as i can. this is not what you should do! ias with all sport its all about timing and technique!

in cricket to hit a six you dont have to have a wack at it. if you time it right and hit the sweet spot due to your action it will get power. its the same with kicking a ball.

im sure if you look on the internet somewhere there would be online coaching place to give you more advice.

what i would say to him is dont try to hit it to hard. Its all down to practising your technique and timing.

As Ben said. If you need 1-on-1 training I do offer it but only if your local to London or Essex

i had this problem when i was that age (5 years ago)

i couldnt get any power any power apart from toe punting it...

so just avoid toe punting and hit it with the laces, that done the trick for me, even on the ground and in air hit with the lace.

As Benraul said it's all about technique and timing. Teach him the correct technique, then practice it.

The basic technique of striking a ball:
1. Approach the ball from a slight angle.
2. The final step of the approach should be a slight hop as you plant your supporting leg in place, swinging your kicking foot back.
3. Swing your kicking foot down through the centre of the ball, striking it with the inside of your instep. Feel the bones that run from your ankle to your big toe. That's what you should strike the ball with.
4. Allow your leg to follow through, swinging naturally.

The kicking action should be smooth and relaxed, and not forced. It's about technique and timing, not power. Think of Tiger Woods, rather than Happy Gilmore.

Have your son practice kicking balls, and watch his technique. Reinforce the correct technique by praising him when he kicks well and correcting him when he kicks poorly. Teaching him to kick is all about practicing and correcting his technique. The more balls he kicks, the faster he'll pick it up. Once he learns to strike the ball he wont forget, his confidence will pick up, and he wont be as anxious about kicking poorly.

Thank you all for helping and giving your ideas, especially that step by step list from The Striker. It is easy to understand and should be possible to get across to our son. We'll come back and let you know how he got on!

He is now gone to have some fun to watch Bournemouth playing Northampton at home, his first live "real" football game.

Bye for now and thanks again. Much appreciated

I do think this is part of the problem. Thanks for pointing it out.

Footiemum i understand what your problem is.I coach a player on my U14's who is much smaller than the rest and his inability to kick the ball stops him from being the best player on the team he is learning the proper techinique now soon as sonn as he starts to grow power and distance will come.
Im guessing by your description of your sons problem he lacks the ability to execute what we coaches call a (driven pass or driven shot) this is just 1 of many types off shots or passes that your son may learn
Here are the key factors for a few

Key Factors For Passing
Chip Pass

1.From a stationary position or slowly on the move place the none kicking foot behind the ball
2.Head should be leaning over ball
3.Use arms for balance
4.The kicking knee should be over the ball
5.Stab under the ball between the top of the toes and laces area of the boot
6.Keep head still
7.To achieve a greater height follow through the ball ever so slightly point toe up immediately after impact


Drive Pass
1.From a stationary position or slowly on the move place the none kicking foot generously behind the ball
2.The body should be leaning to the none kicking side of the body
3.Use arms for balance
4.Rotate the ankle so its facing outwards just before impact
5.Strike the ball in the middle or bottom of the ball with the laces area of the boot
6.Keep the head still
7.Follow through along the ground crossing the leg over the none kicking foot after impact

The Instep Pass

1.On the move approach the ball with the none kicking foot along side the ball
2.Keep the head down and the eyes focused on the ball at the moment of impact
3.The arms should be flung out for balance more so on none kicking side
4.Bring the kicking foot back on a angle and tighten foot muscles just before impact
5.Strike the ball in the center in between the inside and laces area of the boot
6.Follow through the ball in the direction you want it to go

The Lofted In Step Pass

1.From a stationary or on the move approach the ball from a angle
2.Place none kicking foot along and slightly behind kicking foot
3.Body should lean backwards
4.Use arms for balance
5.Keep the head down and the eyes focused on the ball at the moment of impact
6.Strike the ball in the center in between the inside and laces area of the boot
7.Its vary important to follow through the ball slightly across the ball

THE OUTSIDE OF THE FOOT PASS

1. Approach the ball with the non-kicking foot placed just behind the ball.
2. Both knees should be bent at the moment of impact.
3. The arms should be flung out for balance, more so on the non-kicking side.
4. Tense the kicking foot on a slight angle just before impact.
5. Strike the ball with the outside of the foot between the ankle and toe.
6. The angle of the pass can be altered by turning the ankle as the ball is struck.

THE SIDE PASS

1. Approach the ball with the non-kicking foot placed alongside the ball.
2. The arms should be slightly away from the body to provide balance.
3. Bring the kicking foot slightly back, ready to meet the ball side-on.
4. The upper body and head should be over the ball to provide control and stability.
5. The inside of the foot comes through the middle of the ball a few inches above the ground.

Chips and outside of the foot passes and all that are great, but for an eight year old having trouble with his kicking I think it's all too much. I'd recommend only teaching him the lofted pass and the low drive.

For the lofted pass place your supporting foot beside the ball, slightly behind it. Lean back slightly using your arms to balance and strike through the centre of the ball. The placement of your supporting foot and the angle of your body to the ball should give you the leverage needed to strike through the centre of the ball from slightly below. This will give the ball's flight some height.

For the low drive place your supporting foot beside the ball. Get the knee of your kicking leg over the ball as you strike through the centre of it. Get your head over the ball, looking down at the ball as you strike it. Keeping your head and knee over the ball will help you kick the ball low and straight. For optimal power maintain your forward momentum as you follow through and land on your kicking foot.

I know there are quite a few points to remember, but kicking is all about technique. Let us know how he goes with it.

Best thing to do is get your son kicking a ball against the wall repeatedly.The more he does it the more he will learn what works best.Tell him to use the inside of his foot then progress to different parts of the foot.
Thats how I learned to play,also take him to the park for a kick about as much as possible and try get him in a local team,take him training.Good Luck

mooseyones, TheStriker, and craigleedscityvixens. I am overwhelmed with all your friendly advice and support.
We now feel a bit clearer on what to concentrate on - just striking the ball through the centre cleanly and on the bone of the foot. When he gets that right it will make all the difference. I will certainly report back.

Thanks again!

i just wanted to say that although you do kicking with your legs you shouldn't ignore the upper part of the body. belly muscles are very important cause they allow the legs to carry on a move much more precise if they are firm. i know your son is still young to do some hard exercises but he should try from time to time, he'll grow up in a sec.

Well, I haven't got these problems.....I like football. I think your son should practice kicking the ball a LOT, he'll get power and presicion in no time.



bye

personally footiemum, if his dad cant or wont help him, i think you should go out on the park with your son and both learn the drive and instep pass that mooseyones explained. it wouldnt be a help if you we're trying to teach him but couldnt perform them yourself, and if he sees you doing it, it make give him extra motivation!