Football is the most popular game in the world. Both men and women play this game. Reports show that day by day there is an increase in the number of people playing football.

In grade 6 we learned about footwork and ball handling in football. By now you may have developed those skills.

This game is known as football as the ball is being kicked all the time. In order to kick the ball in various directions, different sides of the foot are used, and a few such methods are given below.

1. Kicking with the inner side of the foot

2. Kicking with the instep of the foot

Inner side - curved inside part of the foot

(bottom of the big-toe joint area to the bottom half of

the arch of the foot)

Instep - surface (outside of the foot)

Kicking with the inner side of the foot

• Kick the ball with the curved inside part (arch) of the foot.

• The free leg should be placed parallel to the ball and a little away.

• The eyes must be focussed on the ball.

• The weight of the body should be borne by the free leg while the leg used for kicking moves towards the ball.

• After kicking the ball, the foot used for kicking must move forward with the ball.

• Kick slowly for short distance and hard for long distance.

Kicking with the instep of the foot

• Kick the ball with the instep of the foot.

• The free foot must be placed parallel to the ball a little away from the other.

• The eyes must be focussed on the ball.

• The weight of the body must be borne by the free foot when kicking the ball.

• The hands should be kept free and relaxed at this moment.

• The foot used for kicking must move forward after the kick.

In football to kick the ball hard in the correct direction, the ball must be controlled correctly.

Facts to remember when controlling the ball

• The head, chest, abdomen and legs can be used to control the ball

• The sole of the foot, the instep, the inside and outside of the foot, the thighs and the shin are frequently used to control the ball

• Should control the ball that coming from above, rolling and re-bounding

The following are a few methods to control the ball.

1. Controlling the ball with inner side of the foot

2. Controlling the ball with the instep

3. Controlling the ball with the sole of the foot

Controlling the ball with the inner side of the foot

• Control the ball with the curved inside part of the foot.

• Take the foot a little backwards as the ball comes into contact with the foot.

• Keep the free foot near the ball.

• Keep the hands relaxed.

• Keep the head, knees and leg on a straight line.

Controlling the ball with the instep of the foot

• The instep is used to control the ball coming high in the air.

• when the ball comes into contact with the foot, the foot must be moved a little backwards to slow down the ball.

• Eyes must be focused on the ball.

• The weight of the body must be on the free leg

• Keep hands relaxed and free.

• Move the trunk of the body slightly backwards.

Controlling the ball with the sole of the foot

• When the ball comes at you from the front, the ball must be con- trolled with the sole of your foot.

• Slightly bend the free leg at the knee and place it behind the ball.

• Press the ball slightly with the foot as the ball makes contact with the foot.

• Keep the hands on either side of the body to maintain balance.

• The ball must be stopped in front of the player.

• The trunk of the body must be slightly bent forward.

1. The player in front, kicks the ball with the inside of the foot and drives the ball to the other player.

The player who receives the ball stops the ball with the inside of his foot.

Everyone must practice this kicking and controlling technique.

2. The player in front, kicks the ball using his instep driving the ball to

the other player.

The player receiving the ball, controls the ball using his instep.

Everyone must practice this kicking and controlling technique.

3. Position yourselves in a zig zag pattern.

The player at the front, must kick the ball with his instep to the play-

er next to him.

The player to whom the ball is passed must kick it to the next player

using the inside of his foot after stopping the ball with the sole of

his foot.

Everyone must get an opportunity to practise this.

Football is the most popular game in the world.

Out of the many skills required in football, developing skills such as

kicking and controlling the ball is important.

There are two methods used for kicking, as kicking with the inner side

of the foot and kicking with the instep of the foot.

The inner side of the foot, the instep and the sole are used to control the

ball.

These skills can be developed using different activities.