The best way to kick a soccer ball is with the inside of your foot; the soft part of your instep makes the ball go farther, harder and straighter. Unfortunately, we naturally want to kick things with our toes. Practice proper kicking technique by taking off your cleats and socks and kicking a ball barefoot. Start softly, using the inside of your foot to kick the ball. If you mess up and use the top of you’ll be reminded by the unpleasant feeling of your bare toes hitting the ball. Practice until you feel comfortable doing full-strength kicks barefoot, then put your cleats back on and put your new proper technique to the test!
