Soccer Coaching - Shooting Instep Drive

Soccer coaches, have you ever watched an English Premier League soccer match on T.V. and seen a shot from 35 yards out that sails 6 feet off the ground and barley misses the goal by inches? Chances are they hit that shot with their laces. This type of shot is called the instep drive. As a soccer coach you know that shooting on goal is very important as you miss 100% of every shot you don't take. Teaching the instep drive can be difficult at younger years, however, proper technique at the younger age will assure good technique later in life.

When teaching the instep drive, soccer coaches should constantly remind players to lock their ankles, point their toes down, and approach the ball from a slight angle. The plant foot should be facing the target and slightly behind the ball. When the player strikes the ball they should immediately transfer the weight from their plant foot to their shooting foot. Try to have the player land on their kicking foot first after striking the ball. Also coaches should remind the player to lean forward towards the goal as this will keep the ball from rising.

When teaching young players to do the instep drive, instruct the player to kick their butt with their kicking leg before striking the ball. If the player is very young, try placing your hands behind the ball in attempt to hold the ball while letting the player strike the ball (be careful of your fingers). Do this multiple times until the young soccer player gets the feeling of striking the ball using the proper part of the foot with the toe down and ankle locked.