About Marney Egan Expertise I can answer almost any question about the game of soccer (drills to practice, what to do in different situations, calls made by the referee, gear to use, fitness, etc.). I was a goalie in HS and college so I am able to answer more specific questions about this position. I can also provide insight on the college game (recruitment process, what to expect, etc.).
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR AGE AND EXPERIENCE WITH THE GAME SO I CAN PROVIDE AN ANSWER CATERING TO YOUR AGE AND ABILITY. THANKS!!
Experience I have been playing soccer for 20 years (10 years as a goalie) and played at a D-I college. My father played professionally and has been a personal coach for my siblings and me through our careers (we have all played in college). I am currently coaching a U-13 Girls club soccer team and have also coached at several college camps during the summer including one hosted by the US Naval Academy.
Organizations Coach for Allegheny Force Football Club.
Education/Credentials Degree from Bucknell University; attended numerous soccer camps over the years including ones hosted by Notre Dame (Women's D-I National Champs) and Messiah College (Women's D-III National Champs).
Awards and Honors Patriot League Academic Honor Roll; Captain of high school soccer team.
Question Hey, I have a few questions about kicking soccer balls.
1. How do you Knuckle a soccer ball when kicking it so when its in the air it makes like a left to right swerve and back again like Cristiano Ronaldo does alot. (here is an exmaple of what i mean http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrQ0eYEUhFA
I try to kick it really hard in the bottom center so it gets some height. It goes fast and straight at good height but it doesnt swerve at all the way Cristiano Ronaldos does.
2. How do you make a soccer ball not have any spin when its in the air and going towards the goal like Cristiano Ronaldo does.
Everytime i kick the ball it has a backwards spin to it (the top of the ball is spining backwards as its going to the goal while in the air). I want the ball to have no spin at all in the air or atleast almost no spin how can i do this?
3. How do you make a soccer ball dip into the goal like Cristiano Ronaldo does?
I am pretty sure the ball is supose to have a top forward spin as its in the air in order for the ball to dip but how can i kick the ball so the top of the ball is spining towards the goal and not towards me. (Having a top forward spin.
I am 16 years old and have been playing soccer for a few years. Any tips apreiciated also!Any help or tips at all will be greatly apretiated Thank you VERY much!!
Here are some videos that might help you see what i want. Thanks again!
Answer I apologize for the delay of my answer but I had a death in my family. In order to bend a soccer ball you need to strike it with the inside of your foot (instep) rather than your laces. You also want to approach the ball at an angle. Another key point of bending a ball is that it is often more about the form you use than the power (you'll notice that most people who bend the ball kind of jog up to it rather than running full out). One of the final components to hitting a ball that bends is having a slicing motion with your kick. One of the ways to work on this is by having a follow through motion that comes across your body; meaning, after you strike the ball your leg should not continue to swing straight but come across your body as though to hit the opposite hip. The area that you should try to hit on the ball is just below the equator or (if you were to make an imaginary cross (+) on the ball) in one of the lower quadrants (depending on which foot you are using and how you are trying to spin the ball). Don't get under the ball too much though because then you'll be putting backspin on the ball.
In order to not have any spin on the ball you need to hit the ball directly on the equator (it's better to use your laces in this case). I've heard that if you can also strike the ball on the pump valve (the spot where you insert the needle to pump up a ball) that will help prevent the ball from spinning.
If you want to put topspin on the ball you will want to hit the ball with your laces or instep and hit the ball slightly under the equator but during your follow through slice the ball on an upward diagonal so that your foot is rolls over the top of the ball giving it that forward spin.
I hope this was helpful and good luck with everything!
