When I was a teenager I would always wonder what exact part of the foot to use when kicking and controlling the ball. Most coaches are not teaching it and I know because almost none of the club players know. It’s like nobody ever thinks about it…
There are certain pinpoint parts of the feet that will give you more accuracy, power and control. The key word to the title is exact… Players need to know more than just the “inside” of the foot – they should learn exactly the best parts.
What the majority of high school players don’t know
When new trainees come in for their first lesson one of the first things I ask them is what exact part of the foot to make a 5 yard push pass.
9 out of 10 club players don’t know… Even the top high school kids! It’s never crossed their minds and many coaches don’t teach it or know themselves.
If you were to go and watch a pro team practice the main difference you would see and hear compared to a high school or college practice is the passing.
When a pass is really good you can hear it…
I always say that a blind person could have told you good job on certain shot or pass.
The reason is because the sound is different when it hits the air pocket between your boot and foot vs the different bones that fill those pockets and allow you to have a better kick.
Once a player knows these important details they can feel the difference when the pass is great or average… Not talking about accuracy, but how clean the connection is.
Then even when you have this knowledge, you’re still not going to make every pass clean. Although you will be a better player because more of your passes will be better.
Part of the foot to use when making a short pass
This specific technique is the MAIN REASON I wrote this article because it’s so important, yet easy to fix.
When explaining this I need to be clear on what type of pass.
There are different ways/techniques to use when passing or shooting, but the most common and important is a 5-10 yard push pass.
There’s a bone that runs along the inside of your foot from the toe to the ankle…
Find the small bone that feels like the edge of a marble. It’s about 2 inches below the ankle and another 2 inches towards the ball of your foot. That is the finger point best spot. It’s usually near the highest hole of your shoe laces.
Why this specific spot on your foot is best
3 reasons why this bone on the inside of your foot is best when making a short pass.
- There’s not an air pocket that makes you lose pop or power. Just under that marble edge is a big air pocket that a lot of people think is the best place, but if you press on that area you’ll hit the muscle of the foot.
- If you don’t connect perfectly you’ll still make a pretty accurate pass. Therefore, gives you room for error.
- You leg is more lined up above this spot which gives you more weight/support behind the pass.
Note: The push pass is not the only way to use, but it is the most important to learn and become great at. The reason is because you will use it most.
Top of the foot to trap the ball out of the air
Probably the best and first way to practice control high balls out of the air is the top of the foot.
With this technique you can use every part of the foot from the top of the toe area to the laces.
Although I like to use and teach the air pocket where the toes meet your foot because it settles the ball better.
If the ball hits off your laces there’s a good chance it will deflect further away than you want.
Of course when using this control you want to bring your foot down right before or as you first touch the ball.
Some people call it the ‘egg drop’…
Imagine catching a raw egg and trying not to make it break. You would need to catch it soft and bring your hand down right as or before it hits your hand.
Inside of the foot trapping out of the air
Using the inside of the foot is very important.
Two main ways:
- One is where you trap the ball down immediately after it hits the ground first. It’s not easy, but I would say it’s a top 20 skill in soccer.
- The second way is simply taking a touch out of the air before it bounces. It’s usually when the ball is driven at you coming about knee height.
Me working with Rachel [Penn State University] ⇓
With inside the (best) exact part of the foot is the same place you make a push pass.
Outside aerial trap off the bounce
Similar to the first way described under inside…
You want to let the ball barely bounce and as it comes back up it hits your foot a split second after.
Your toes should be pointed up and foot angled so that when the ball hits your foot it goes back down. Therefore it’s settled and easier to pass or dribble.
Exact part using inside and outside – aerial
The reason for this part of the foot [both inside and outside] is because if you are not perfectly precise you’ll still have a good chance to control the ball.
Oftentimes it will end up hitting your ankle area on accident, BUT the ball will still settle down like you want.
If you use the area nearest to your toes there’s a good chance you will miss the entire ball.
Striking with the laces [instep]
For the times when you need to pass or shoot for distance, laces/instep is going to be a go to.
Video on form and part of the foot to use >>> 2 minute mark shows what part of the foot.
To become really clean at using the laces it takes a lot of practice…
Like many things in life, once the many days of hard work pay off, all of a sudden you’re hitting 5 in a row🙂 ⇑
Be patient…
I’ve seen some club level teenagers take 10 months before they could finally hit 8/10 clean… Which is very good!
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