As a kid I remember hearing how a humans legs weigh half our body weight. To this day I love telling players how getting both feet off the ground helps with our kicking power. For easy math, let’s say a person weighs 100 pounds. Well, if a player kicks a ball getting both feet off the ground, all 100 pounds is behind that kick. Although, if you kick without getting both feet off the ground, you’re only using the weight of 1 leg. Since our legs weigh half our body weight, this means only 25 pounds is behind the ball for a 100 pound person. Below you’ll learn different ways to do this. Let’s get started. 
2 ways to get both feet off the ground – landing on your shooting foot
Remember there are different ways to kick the ball – Learn the 4 best passing and shooting techniques.
When shooting or passing long distance with laces you want to know how to get both feet off the ground.
Just know that there will be times you don’t use this technique, so don’t force it.
Example of 2 ways to get both feet off the ground when kicking with laces.
- When you have momentum from running forward you’ll want to get both feet off the ground. Strikers will use it most.
- For the times when you’re in a stationary position and you just need the extra power due to you not having momentum.
How & why it works ⬇️
Getting both feet off the ground is going to give you more power because all your body weight is behind the ball. As opposed to only your kicking leg.
Landing on your non-shooting foot
I’ve seen coaches online who say “you have to land on your shooting foot”.
This is not 100% true…
Yes, you want to know how to. You will land on your shooting foot more often, but you don’t have to.
On the contrary, there are going to be times you need to land on your plant leg (non-kicking foot).
If a player is off balance when shooting or for quick release situations, landing on the plant leg can be an option.
When you have momentum from running or dribbling forward is when you will most likely need to land on your shooting foot.
Doing this gives you more follow through, which means more power.
This is something that you need to work on by yourself in addition to team practice.
As a private trainer, I can tell you that most select players can’t strike the ball consistently clean. They can shoot hard and accurate, but not necessarily clean.
Striking off balance
3 times this happens often:
- Crossing the ball while running down field.
- Defenders clearing balls up the field while facing the sideline.
- Shooting when going at an angle – not facing the goal. Watch the first 2 shots ⬇️ video
Bending with the outside of the foot
A former Brazilian star Roberto Carlos used to take free kicks using this technique.
Unbelievable how he could strike the ball from distance using this style.
Getting both feet off the ground when bending is not your common way, but obviously is effective.
Players should at least practice it and become familiar in case it’s ever needed.
Why would you not want to learn as many techniques as possible?
What to know when bending inside
David Beckham is the only player I can think of who would get both feet off the ground when getting inside bend – watch this. Plus he didn’t always do this.
Of course others can do it, but you don’t see it much.
I recommend you first practice and become good at bending without getting both feet off the ground.
Watch the pros take corners and free kicks.
Most are getting bend, but are leaving their plant foot on the ground as they kick.
Here’s a short video of me teaching how to bend inside.
When first learning, don’t focus on power. Instead you just want to get used to it and become consistent.
Don’t get both feet off the ground when kicking with inside push pass
When passing or finishing with the inside of the foot [push pass] you don’t want to get both feet off the ground.
The way your foot needs to be angled doesn’t allow this movement.
I mean you could if you tried and wanting to prove a point, but it would look and feel weird.
More important it wouldn’t be necessary or effective.
If the ball was in front of you keeping you from getting bend or laces, but you need more power, you could strike it with the inside of the laces and get both feet off the ground.
Using the push pass would get you too much over the ball doing this.
Remembering why we get both feet off the ground
The main reason you would get both feet off the ground is when you have momentum going forward.
If you’re running or dribbling forward and then having to strike the ball with power [especially on goal] you’ll want to know how to get both feet off the ground.
In addition, the times when you need more power is when you would do this – IF the ball is in the right spot for it.
When the ball is directly in front of you it’s hard to use laces, so instead you would use the inside or outside. Or take an extra touch wide so you can use laces.
It’s important that you remember why we do things like get both feet of the ground, locking your ankle and keeping your core tight when kicking.
The more you know, remember and practice – the better you will play.
“There must be a thought behind every kick.”
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