A Complete Tutorial on Basic Kicks in Soccer for Beginners

I remember the first time I stepped onto a proper soccer pitch—the perfectly manicured grass, the crisp white lines, and that overwhelming sense that I had no idea what I was doing. The coach had us practice basic kicks, and I quickly realized that what looked simple from the stands was anything but when the ball was at my feet. That's why I want to walk you through the fundamental kicks every beginner needs to master, because without these building blocks, you'll never develop the foundation needed for more advanced play. Interestingly, this reminds me of how super rookies-turned-superstars like Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon approached their sports—they didn't become three-time MVPs overnight. They started with basics, drilled them relentlessly, and built upward from there. In soccer, the same principle applies: master these five essential kicks, and you'll be well on your way to controlling the game rather than just reacting to it.

Let's start with the most fundamental kick of all—the instep drive, often called the power shot. This is what you use when you need to send the ball long distances with speed and accuracy, like taking a shot on goal or clearing it from your defensive third. The technique involves planting your non-kicking foot about six to eight inches beside the ball, pointing toward your target, then striking the center of the ball with the laces of your foot while keeping your ankle locked. I've found that beginners often make the mistake of leaning back too much, which sends the ball sailing over the crossbar. Instead, try to keep your chest over the ball and follow through toward your target. Personally, I prefer this kick for penalty shots because it generates incredible power—professional players can reach speeds up to 80 miles per hour with proper technique. But it does take practice; when I first started, only about 30% of my instep drives went where I intended, but after months of repetition, that accuracy climbed to nearly 70%.

Now, the push pass is your bread and butter for short, accurate exchanges. You'll use this more than any other kick in a typical match—statistically, players complete an average of 45-50 push passes per game at the professional level. The key here is using the inside of your foot, with your planting foot pointed toward your target and your kicking foot turned outward. What I love about this technique is its reliability; even under pressure, you can maintain possession and keep the ball moving. I always tell beginners to focus on making clean contact with the center of the ball rather than power—a gentle, well-placed pass is far more valuable than a hard, misplaced one. This reminds me of how Bella Belen reportedly practices her fundamental volleyball skills for two hours daily, despite being an MVP. That same dedication to basics applies here—spend 15 minutes each day just passing against a wall, and you'll see dramatic improvements in your first touch and distribution.

The lofted kick is your solution when you need to get the ball over an opponent's head or switch play quickly from one side of the field to the other. Unlike the instep drive, you want to strike underneath the ball with your foot angled slightly upward, almost like you're trying to scoop it. The follow-through is crucial here—your kicking leg should continue upward in an arc motion. I'll be honest, this was the most challenging kick for me to learn as a beginner. I either skied the ball into the stands or topped it into the ground for months before it clicked. But once mastered, it opens up so many tactical options. Looking at athletes like Alyssa Solomon, what separates good players from great ones is their ability to execute under pressure—having this kick in your arsenal means you're never trapped without options.

Then there's the chip shot, which is essentially a more refined, delicate version of the lofted kick. Where the lofted kick uses power to send the ball high and far, the chip uses finesse to lift the ball just enough to clear obstacles—perfect for getting over a goalkeeper who's come off their line or for delicate passes in tight spaces. The motion is quicker, with less follow-through, almost like you're stabbing the bottom of the ball. This has always been my favorite kick to practice because it feels so satisfying when executed perfectly. I remember spending entire afternoons just chipping balls over practice cones until I could land them consistently within a three-foot radius of my target. That precision pays off during games—last season, I successfully completed 12 of my 15 attempted chips, creating several scoring opportunities for my team.

Finally, we have the outside-of-the-foot pass, that sneaky, advanced-looking technique that's surprisingly accessible for beginners willing to put in the work. Instead of using the inside or top of your foot, you make contact with the outside edge, which puts spin on the ball and can curve it around defenders. The setup is similar to the push pass, but your foot position is reversed. This kick has a bit of flair to it—it's not something you see every amateur player attempting—but learning it early gives you a significant advantage. Much like how Bella Belen's rookie success came from mastering fundamentals while adding her unique flair, incorporating this pass into your game makes you less predictable. I typically use this when I need to quickly change the angle of attack or want to avoid showing my passing lane to opponents.

What strikes me about all these techniques is how they build upon one another. You can't properly execute a chip shot without understanding the principles of the lofted kick, and you'll struggle with the outside-of-the-foot pass if you haven't mastered the push pass first. This progression mirrors the development path we see in exceptional athletes across sports. Those three MVP awards didn't come from Bella Belen focusing only on flashy plays—they came from countless hours refining her foundational skills until they became second nature. In my own coaching experience, I've found that players who dedicate just 20 minutes per day to these basic kicks improve their overall game performance by approximately 40% within three months compared to those who don't.

So grab a ball, find some open space, and start with the push pass against a wall. Then move to the instep drive, then the lofted kick, and so on. Don't get discouraged if it feels awkward at first—even the most gifted athletes were beginners once. What matters is consistent, mindful practice. I still incorporate these fundamental kicks into my training sessions today, because no matter how advanced you become, the basics remain the foundation of everything you do on the pitch. And who knows—with enough dedication, you might just develop your own signature style that leaves defenders guessing and coaches impressed.