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. But 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 and land further out. You can also do this from a more stationary spot, like taking a free kick.
- For the times when you’re not running/dribbling forward with speed and instead are forced into a stationary position. Getting both feet off the ground is going to give you more power. The reason is because all your body weight is behind the ball, instead of only your kicking leg. So if you can or need to getting both feet and landing not as far from the kicking spot is something you want to know.
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.
Every player ages 10+ should have been taught this, but many never are.
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?
You can get both feet off the ground 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
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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