THE SIDEFOOT
The sidefoot is used for short passes and is generally the most precise and accurate way to kick the ball. This is because the foot makes contact with a large part of the ball's surface area.As with all passing, kicking, and shooting in soccer it is vital to watch the ball at all times. Position your nonkicking foot 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm ) to the side of the ball ( it should be facing the direction in which the ball is to be passed) and, with only a short backswing, bring your kicking leg forward at a right angle to the nonkicking leg and kick the ball with the inside of your foot. At the moment that the ball is kicked, lean forward over it, watching the ball at all times, and follow through with your kicking leg in the direction of the target.
THE DRIVE
The drive is used to get power into the kick, although it is harder to be as accurate with it as with the sidefoot. Your nonkicking foot should be placed alongside the ball, 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm.) away. Keep your kicking leg facing straight at the target and, using a full backswing and keeping your head, upper body, and knee over the ball, strike it using the instep ( where the laces of the shoe are ). Your foot should be extended so that its middle makes contact with the middle of the ball - if the ball is hit at the bottom, it will go into the air ; if it is hit too near the top, the force of the kicking will be lost into the ground. It is also crucial to keep your ankle rigid as the ball is struck, allowing the power from your leg to transfer directly to the ball
TRAPPING THE BALL
This is the skill of being able to instantly stop and control a ball that has been passed along the ground. This is a crucial skill because the quicker you can get the ball under control the more time you will have to decide what to do with it before opponents put you under pressure.
Directly face the oncoming ball, so that the ball comes onto the inside of the foot (making contact with the maximum surface area to kill the ball's speed). Watch it all the way onto your foot, and at the moment of impact bring your foot backward in the direction the ball is going - this will cushion the impact. If the foot is kept straight and the ball is simply allowed to hit it, it will bounce off and away from you.
The purpose of trapping is to stop the ball dead at your feet, putting you instantly in control. The harder the ball is traveling at you the further back you should bring your foot and the faster you should move it. Remember to stay relaxed and confident, bending your knees and leaning over the ball. You can also trap and control the ball with the outside of your foot, this way you can trap and move in one movement.
TRAPPING A HIGH BALL
Sometimes the ball will not be passed conveniently along the ground, so you
should be able to control it when it is delivered in the air, either directly or after bouncing. The same basic rules in skill trapping the ball apply, but obviously the kicking foot needs to be lifted off the ground to meet the ball. This means that it is especially crucial to determine the flight path of the ball and get into position early, so that when the kicking foot is raised you are well balanced and concentrating only on the ball. Watch the ball all the way onto the side of your foot, and, as it meets it, cushion the ball as before with your lower leg but keep your upper leg firm and solid. This will give you the strength to stop the ball and keep you balanced so that, as the ball drops at your feet, you have it under control and are poised to play it.