Laces Kick:  Start with players, each with a ball, seated on the ground. Point out the big bone that runs along the inside laces of the foot. This is the hardest surface of the foot, and is the area which they will use to make a laces kick. Have them toss the ball up in the air, and try to hit the ball solidly in the center with the big bone of the foot.

Now, put them in pairs. One player will bend over and hold the ball with the hands, while the other player works on the foot position needed to make the big bone of the foot come into contact with the center of the ball. Players with big feet often have to turn the foot sharply to the side and turn the knee inward to get this optimal contact. Furthermore, as they continue to grow, they may need to periodically redo this exercise to find the correct foot position, so coaches should not overlook the need to do this if a player suddenly becomes unable to do a low shot after having prior success.

Next, work on the correct distance for the plant foot. One of the most common problems with young players is a tendency to put the foot too close to the ball, which makes it almost impossible to make good contact with the ball. Tell the players to leave plenty of room for their hips to swing, because they will get power from the swing of the hips/legs.

Finally, work on the proper approach to the ball. Put the player at an angle to the side of the ball, usually around 35 degrees, and back at a distance that he will need to take 3 steps to reach the ball. Note that a right - footed player will step L, R, and then put his L foot beside the ball. As the non-kicking foot is planted, the kicking leg is drawn back; the ankle of the kicking foot is locked with the toe down; and the knees of BOTH legs are bent so that the knee of the kicking foot comes over the ball as contact is made with the ball.

Coaching Note: Do not skip the phase of checking out the proper foot positioning. It is critical that the players be allowed to experiment with the positioning which feels “best” to them and they will automatically feel when they are making solid contact. The coach can make the rounds and to check each player while they are experimenting with their foot position.

Once both partners have tried this basic positioning, put partners across from one another at a distance of about 30 feet, each player with a ball, lining up the partners so you have two lines of players work on their kicks. To maximize touches, allow both players to go at the same time and allow players on one side to use any ball, which comes their way. While they are working on these skills, walk around and correct technique as necessary.

Common Problems: ·Erratic shots caused by failure to lock the ankle/foot

    ·Tip: to get players to lock the ankle with the foot in the ‘down’ position, encourage them to curl their toes into the bottom of their toes into the bottom of their boot.

    ·Shot not staying low, caused by foot position too low on the ball or by putting the plant foot too far behind the ball.

    ·No power on the shot, caused by poor leg swing or improper of plant foot.

    ·Stubbed toe, caused by poor run angle and/or failure to bend leg of kicking foot and/or failure improper foot angle.

    ·Tip: cut the bottom off of a Styrofoam cup and use the inverted upper half as kicking tee; shorten the tee as the player improves.

    ·Lifting the head, which causes the ball to become air-borne or the shot to be erratic.

    ·Tip: get the players to focus on a particular panel of the ball and “watch their foot hit the ball”.

Once the players have learned the basic mechanics of the shot itself, they are ready for the next stage, which is to teach the follow-through. In order to impart the maximum power to the ball, the player must continue to run through the shot, ending in a high kick worthy of can-can dancer, with his/her head/nose almost coming into contact with his kicking leg. To do this, it is easiest to practice the move without the ball. Simply put the players on the field and tell them to select a spot, which represents the ball such as a mound of grass, or spot marked on the dirt. Have them start their run so that their foot will go over the spot; and then practice leaping through the contact with the ball so that they go over the spot and land on their kicking foot.

Coaching Note: Some players who are worried about stubbing their toes may be afraid of an exaggerated follow-through. For these players, it is sufficient initially if you can get them to run through the kick and land on their kicking foot.

Now, put the players back into their two lines. Because of the increased power, and the need to run forward, have the two lines alternate on doing these kicks and leave plenty of space so that nobody gets hit by a shot. Let players see how much extra power is achieved by the follow-through.

Instep Drive:        · Support foot beside the ball and pointed at the target

                            · Kicking foot pointed down and locked throughout the shot and follow through

                            · Body weight is moving forward and through the shot, landing on the kicking foot Instep Drive Training The following exercises are submitted not as one or two training sessions, but as examples of exercises that can be used in a training session, based upon the age and skill development of the players.

Warm Ups:   · Two men pass and move.

· Stretch the ankles by rotating them while standing on one foot; then press the toes into the ground and try to drive the front of the foot forward and down with the upper leg; this should give the player a since of driving the lower leg with the upper.

· By standing sideways to and grabbing onto a stationary object, swing a leg slowly until maximum swing is reached; switch legs; stress the leg swing being driven with the upper leg. Technical Exercises

· Have the players pass back and forth in the two man groups using the instep; move through the technical points above, individually focusing on each one; the players should not one-touch their kicks at this point; increase the power of the pass and distance between the players gradually

· Have one player hand serve the ball to an area below her partner's knee; this is to reinforce the foot-down kicking position throughout the kick.

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