How to Kick a Soccer Ball Harder

Efficient weight transfer is probably the number one key to kicking a soccer ball harder. If the energy that you create in the load phase of your shot is lost right before impact, then your power is lost as well. It is critical that you drive your foot through the ball into the direction of you target.

To make sure that your ankle is striking straight through the ball and not deviating upward or laterally, keep and eye on the knee of your kicking foot. Make sure that it moves forward to your target and not upwards.

For example to produce a low, hard shot, you should follow through with your whole body moving forward. This way your foot doesn't rise or move laterally as you strike. You'll notice on hard strikes that you may end up taking a hop step with your left foot or even coming all the way off the ground.

Most people think that the key to generating more power is to swing harder. This is a good way to get hurt or lose accuracy. Power comes from proper form and explosive technique, not just swinging hard.

Having a smooth motion without hiccups or pauses will generate a powerful and accurate strike. You'll need lots of repetition to groove your swing. Plyometric exercises are also good for creating quickness in your legs.

There are a couple of other things to be mindful of as well. You will generate the most power with the laces or instep of your boot. A toe ball will not do the trick as you will lose both power and accuracy.

I cannot stress enough how important striking the ball with the proper form is to your success. You'll need to execute a nice hop into the ball, load your leg, keep your kicking leg in a V position and explode forward through the follow through.

My son Donovan was really struggling with getting power on his shots. I had watched him take hundreds of shots but really wasn't seeing where his kick was breaking down.

After watching the Blast the Ball DVD I was able to pick out a couple of problems that were slowing down the velocity of his kicks. He wasn't loading for the shot properly and his weight was staying back instead of flowing through the ball.

We implemented some of the drills that we found there and in no time at all his strikes had much more pace and accuracy. More importantly, he felt much more confidence in his shot which is always important for a young player.