The instep is the part of your foot where your shoelaces are tied. This type of soccer kick is ideal for long distance shooting.

Your non-kicking foot is used as a support and should also be a little bent during the kicking moment.

By bending your body over the ball you will keep it low on the ground. Bending your body back will also add height to the ball.

The follow through should be long and smooth. Keep in mind also that you need to bend your toes so that they are pointing straight at the ground.

Problems

The following is a list of problems you may face while practicing on this soccer skill:

• Kicking the ball into ground – You have probably placed your support foot to far forward from the ball. You have made contact with your instep; however it was on the downward swing of your kicking leg. The result of this will usually mean a ball compressed between your foot and the ground.
• The ball is flying too high – If you plant your supporting foot too far back from the ball, contact with your foot will be made on the upward swing of the leg. To get around this you can lean your body backward.
• Backspin – This will usually occur when you kick the soccer ball with your toe just below the center line of the ball.
• Poor velocity – If you don’t have the hip of your kicking leg completely extended prior to landing on your plant foot, the velocity of your leg swing will be reduced. Improper coordination and sequencing during the kick movement will reduce the velocity of the ball.
• Using your toes – If you are new to soccer, you will probably try to kick the ball by using your toes. This is pretty normal, but it is actually inaccurate.

Summary

The instep kick is great for shooting from a long distance. However, the more power you use the harder time you will have controlling the kick.

I have scored several goals from 30+ yards with my instep but I must admit that you’ll need a bit of luck to score from that distance!