Biomechanics of coaching maximal instep soccer kick for practitioners

ABSTRACT

Kicking in soccer has been the subject of scientific research for more than 40 years yet review articles summarizing the biomechanical fundamentals of kick optimization as a guide to coaching are scarcely to be found. The current review article aims to bridge the gap between scientific research into the maximal instep kick (including studies employing 3D motion capture and full-body biomechanical modelling) and the application of such research in coaching. It does so by supplying a scientifically founded, coaching-friendly article explaining identifiable characteristics and motor control sequencing that define this skill. Relevant biomechanical factors are identified in a way that should help coaches better develop training programmes and, at the same time, foster better understanding of the skill among athletes. Such information will contribute to both accelerated skill acquisition and, by concomitant gains in skill efficiency, the development of programmes that minimize risk of injury to athletes during training.

KEYWORDS:

• approaching
• the placement of the supporting foot before the kick
• the position of the kicking foot at impact
• the tension arc
• the gender

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Gongbing Shan obtained his PhD (1998) in biomechanics from the University of Münster, Germany. He is the founder and director of Biomechanics Lab at the University of Lethbridge, Canada, and a professor in the Department of Kinesiology of the same university. He is also an adjunct professor at Xinzhou Teachers University/China and Shaanxi Normal University/China. His research interests include biomechanics of human locomotion and performance.

Xiang Zhang, a PE professor at Xinzhou Teachers University, Shanxi, China, is an experienced professional in coaching science and PE teacher education. He was a visiting scholar at University of Lethbridge/Canada and is a collaborator of Dr Shan.

Bingjun Wan obtained his PhD (2012) in coaching science. He is a professor at School of Physical Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xian, China. He is also a visiting scholar at University of Lethbridge/Canada. His research focuses on the use of scientific methods for optimization of human motor skill learning.

Daifeng Yu, an associate professor in experimental biomechanics, is specialized in human motion analysis.

Brandie Wilde, MSc in sports biomechanics, is specialized in motor skill analysis and training.

Peter Visentin, a professor, is an expert in pedagogy, motion analysis and violin teaching. He is a research partner of Dr Shan.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC): [grant number RGPIN-2014-03648].