How to Perform a Free Kick Like The Pros: Step By Step Guide

ByScotty Jenkins

2 min read

How to Perform a Free Kick  Like The Pros: Step By Step Guide

Scoring a free kick or utilizing it effectively can be the deciding factor in who wins a match. So even though they can be a rare occurrence, performing a free kick right can completely change the outcome of a match.

Here is how you can effectively perform a free kick like all the champions on screen.

Step 1: Perfect Your Run Up

When the referee sets up the free kick, it goes without saying that you should first decide where to hit the ball. Do you want to hit one of the top corners of the net? Or do you want to slide the ball the wall to hit one of the lower corners? After weighing all of your options, you should work on your run up.

Remember to always run up to the ball at an angle for the most power and precision. Whether you use your right or left foot, running up to the ball straight is rarely a good idea, as you might shoot it off axis.

Next, try to determine how far you should step back for the most power without sacrificing technique. Everyone runs up to the ball differently, so do what you feel is the most comfortable. The distance from the goal can also determine your run up, so be sure to consider that as well.

Step 2: Make Contact

Once you run up to the ball, you make contact with it by planting one foot to the ground first and then shooting with the other. An important thing to remember is that you can improve your aim by positioning the planted foot better. The planted foot should always aim in the direction you want the ball to go.

As for how you should kick the ball; you can choose between kicking from the laces or from the inside toe of your shoe. Many agree that kicking the ball with the inside toe of your shoe makes it very difficult to control. On the other hand, kicking from the laces offers more precision, but less power. You should also hit the ball just below the midline a little to the side.

For example, when Lionel Messi is making contact with the ball, he locks his ankle, shoots from the laces, and leans his entire body away from the ball to generate the most power.

Step 3: Follow through

When you make contact with the ball, it is important to follow through on the swing. You want to make sure that your foot doesn’t stop as soon as you hit the ball, as that can prohibit the ball from gaining your required altitude. Furthermore, by making your foot go through the ball, you are able to properly utilize the momentum generated from the run up.

Practice Makes Perfect

Simply implementing all of these techniques into your game plan is not enough for you to effectively score a goal. You also need to practice these principles regularly to solidify them, which can then help you score more consistently. Remember, with each kick, you are trying to find the right balance of power, accuracy, and precision.

Are you an Athlete?

Create a free profile to access the largest network specifically designed to connect athletes to opportunities. Get started.

RELATED ARTICLES
Straight line Speed vs Game Speed.

Straight line Speed vs Game Speed.

Every year, during the last week of February or the first week of March, football enthusiasts...

ByTerrance Plummer II | Mon Dec 16 2024
Knowledge is Power

Knowledge is Power

What's going on GMTM Family ! Coach TP from EHF Athletics. I just wanted to...

ByTerrance Plummer II | Wed Dec 11 2024
The Best Ways a Coach Can Help an Athlete Track and Test Skills

The Best Ways a Coach Can Help an Athlete Track and Test Skills

In any sport, a coach's top priority is to teach and develop his or her athletes. Done right, the...

BySam DeCaprio | Wed Dec 04 2024
Dribbling Mastery: Unlocking Essential Skills for Athletes

Dribbling Mastery: Unlocking Essential Skills for Athletes

Mastering the art of dribbling is like having a secret weapon on the basketball court. It's the...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Dec 04 2023
Elevating Your Game: Advanced Volleyball Drills for Elite Athletes

Elevating Your Game: Advanced Volleyball Drills for Elite Athletes

The sport of volleyball has seen remarkable growth and success in Canada, on both national and...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Oct 05 2023
Ace Your Game: A Youth Volleyball Training Guide for Success

Ace Your Game: A Youth Volleyball Training Guide for Success

Are you looking to become a future volleyball superstar? If you're passionate about spiking,...

ByTiffany Allen | Wed Oct 04 2023
Soccer Drills for Kids: Building a Strong Foundation

Soccer Drills for Kids: Building a Strong Foundation

Soccer drills are a fundamental part of any young player's development. Not only do they improve...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Jul 17 2023
5 Essential Defensive Drills in Basketball

5 Essential Defensive Drills in Basketball

Defense is a crucial part of basketball, and mastering defensive drills can make all the difference...

ByTiffany Allen | Tue Jun 13 2023
How Rowing Can Help You Train For These Popular Sports

How Rowing Can Help You Train For These Popular Sports

Rowing is more than a sport. It's a world-renowned form of exercise that can help keep you in shape...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Apr 20 2023
College Basketball: Four Coaches Who Could Switch Jobs After March Madness

College Basketball: Four Coaches Who Could Switch Jobs After March Madness

While the games from November through February certainly count in the standings, the tilts that...

ByAndrew Pistone | Wed Mar 15 2023
Athletes Who Earned Their USA Football Tryout Invite on GMTM

Athletes Who Earned Their USA Football Tryout Invite on GMTM

Does football season really end anymore? The day after the Super Bowl, which marks the end of the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Mar 06 2023
What new sports could be coming to your high school in the future?

What new sports could be coming to your high school in the future?

Sports is a vital part of high schools throughout the country. They help students interact with...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Mar 06 2023
'Is It Like Baseball?': Comparing Cricket to America's Pasttime

'Is It Like Baseball?': Comparing Cricket to America's Pasttime

Sports have a unique way of bringing people together through their differences and similarities....

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Mar 06 2023
USA Triathlon Coach Helps Find An Alternative Workout To Running And Cycling This Winter

USA Triathlon Coach Helps Find An Alternative Workout To Running And Cycling This Winter

As the winter weather settles in, many outdoor athletes are faced with a decision: either tread...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Feb 22 2023
Tackling Sports Industry Fragmentation by Creating Athlete-First Solutions

Tackling Sports Industry Fragmentation by Creating Athlete-First Solutions

The sports industry is undergoing rapid change, putting pressure on organizations to keep pace. To...

ByJoey Grant | Mon Feb 06 2023
Recruiting: 4 Simple Steps to Fix the Sports Industry’s Broken Process

Recruiting: 4 Simple Steps to Fix the Sports Industry’s Broken Process

“You aren't a recruit until a coach knows about you.” This is a quote about recruiting from a...

ByJoey Grant | Fri Feb 03 2023
Name, Image, Likeness: Do high school athletes have NIL rights in your state?

Name, Image, Likeness: Do high school athletes have NIL rights in your state?

We are well over a year into a new era of college sports. Back in the summer of 2021, the Supreme...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Jan 26 2023
2022 Recap: GMTM Continues To Innovate How Teams Engage And Recruit

2022 Recap: GMTM Continues To Innovate How Teams Engage And Recruit

Since GMTM first launched a Virtual Event in 2020, a lot has changed on the platform. New social...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Dec 30 2022
World Cup 2022: How social issues have taken global attention off the pitch in Qatar

World Cup 2022: How social issues have taken global attention off the pitch in Qatar

Qatar has taken center stage in the sports world in recent weeks as it welcomed soccer fans for the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Dec 19 2022
Why The Transfer Portal Is So Important For College Basketball Coaches

Why The Transfer Portal Is So Important For College Basketball Coaches

2019 was a transformative year in NCAA athletics. The NCAA Transfer Portal, a database which allows...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Sun Dec 11 2022
College Soccer: What is the difference between NCAA Division-I & NAIA?

College Soccer: What is the difference between NCAA Division-I & NAIA?

Many soccer athletes across the United States aspire to play their sport at the college level, and...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 26 2022
College Volleyball: What Is The Timeline For A High School Recruit

College Volleyball: What Is The Timeline For A High School Recruit

Playing volleyball at the collegiate level is almost every single player's dream as a young...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Nov 24 2022
What is a 'Draw'? And Why Ties Still Exist in the World's Most Popular Sport

What is a 'Draw'? And Why Ties Still Exist in the World's Most Popular Sport

When it comes to the growing popularity of soccer in the United States, perhaps one of the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 23 2022
Do They Have High School Sports In European Countries?

Do They Have High School Sports In European Countries?

Unlike the United States, European countries do not have high school athletics. It is a completely...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 22 2022
Soccer Coaching: The four most popular formations and why they work

Soccer Coaching: The four most popular formations and why they work

In soccer, formations define the different positions on the field taken by each player of a...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Nov 18 2022
Four Of The Most Important Skills Every Soccer Goalkeeper Has To Develop

Four Of The Most Important Skills Every Soccer Goalkeeper Has To Develop

Goalkeepers are really the only ones on the field who you can't compete without. Don't have a...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 16 2022
Which High Schools In America Produce The Most Female College Athletes?

Which High Schools In America Produce The Most Female College Athletes?

It may come as no surprise to hear parents want what is best for their children. If parents have...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 15 2022
How GMTM Helps Athletes Get Discovered

How GMTM Helps Athletes Get Discovered

At GMTM, we believe that Athletes shouldn’t be limited in what they can achieve based on their...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Nov 10 2022
Important Beach Volleyball Terminology to Know Before You Watch

Important Beach Volleyball Terminology to Know Before You Watch

Beach volleyball [gmtm.com/articles/tag/beach-volleyball] is a fun and exciting sport for the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Nov 04 2022
Five major benefits of playing at a large high school for hopeful recruits

Five major benefits of playing at a large high school for hopeful recruits

Quality of Competition Large high schools tend to have bigger athletic departments and budgets....

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 02 2022
Frequently Asked Questions About USA Weightlifting’s High School Throwdown

Frequently Asked Questions About USA Weightlifting’s High School Throwdown

In a free virtual combine called the High School Throwdown presented by Caffeine & Kilos, USA...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Oct 31 2022
What are College Football’s New Overtime Rules?

What are College Football’s New Overtime Rules?

In the 21st century, major sports have had to walk an interesting tightrope. They’ve had to balance...

ByAndrew Pistone | Mon Oct 24 2022
College Volleyball Recruiting: How Athletes Can Get Ahead Before High School

College Volleyball Recruiting: How Athletes Can Get Ahead Before High School

The first step in getting recruited by a college volleyball team is to take advantage of the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sun Oct 23 2022
How To Run Faster: Five Best Strength Training Workouts For Track Athletes

How To Run Faster: Five Best Strength Training Workouts For Track Athletes

In order to be successful in track, athletes should devote a considerable amount of time to lifting...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Oct 05 2022
College Lacrosse: Quick Guide To Watching The Sport This Season

College Lacrosse: Quick Guide To Watching The Sport This Season

First time watching lacrosse? Kinda complicated, right? Well, basically you're just trying to get...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Oct 05 2022
How To Participate In The U.S. Aerials Ski Team Digital Combine On GMTM

How To Participate In The U.S. Aerials Ski Team Digital Combine On GMTM

If you’ve ever tried the sport of skiing, you’ve certainly felt the rush that comes when you speed...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 29 2022
College Football's "Dead Money": Why Fired Coaches Keep Getting Paid

College Football's "Dead Money": Why Fired Coaches Keep Getting Paid

We’re at the point in the college football calendar where teams are assessing whether they’d like...

ByAndrew Pistone | Wed Sep 28 2022
Soccer Recruiting: What College Coaches Look For In High School Recruits

Soccer Recruiting: What College Coaches Look For In High School Recruits

Realistically, soccer coaches and managers look out for different things in soccer players during...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Sep 28 2022
How Recruits Can Ask A School For More Athletic Scholarship Money

How Recruits Can Ask A School For More Athletic Scholarship Money

Athletes and parents often ask for college scholarship money during the athletic recruiting...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Sep 21 2022
Frequently Asked Questions For GMTM Users

Frequently Asked Questions For GMTM Users

Being a new platform working to revolutionize the way athletes are connected with opportunities is...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Sep 19 2022
Is playing College Soccer the best route to making the MLS?

Is playing College Soccer the best route to making the MLS?

Earlier this month, we witnessed the 2021 Major League...

ByJohnathan Wright | Sat Sep 17 2022
College Basketball: What Is The NCAA Transfer Portal And How Does It Work

College Basketball: What Is The NCAA Transfer Portal And How Does It Work

With the ever-changing NCAA and college athletics scene, transfer athletes have become more and...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 15 2022
Trending Up: High School Football Athletes on GMTM - Week 2

Trending Up: High School Football Athletes on GMTM - Week 2

Football is back and tens of thousands of high school football players are on the field making...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 15 2022
5 Tips To Help Get Recruited To Play College Soccer

5 Tips To Help Get Recruited To Play College Soccer

The college soccer recruiting process can be extremely competitive, and unfortunately, it does not...

ByJohnathan Wright | Mon Aug 29 2022
Can Group NIL Deals Help Create Earning Potential Balance?

Can Group NIL Deals Help Create Earning Potential Balance?

The landmark decision to allow student athletes in college to profit off of their name, image and...

ByAndrew Pistone | Mon Aug 22 2022
Step-By-Step Guide to the College Sports Recruiting Process

Step-By-Step Guide to the College Sports Recruiting Process

Young athletes all over the world dream of playing their sport at the college level....

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Aug 18 2022
NCAA Eligibility Center: Five Things Every High School Athlete Should Know

NCAA Eligibility Center: Five Things Every High School Athlete Should Know

First things first, here's a couple vocabulary lessons The NCAA Clearinghouse is a not-for-profit...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Aug 18 2022
NIL In High School: Which States Give HS Athletes Name, Image, Likeness Rights?

NIL In High School: Which States Give HS Athletes Name, Image, Likeness Rights?

In only a few months since legislation passed in early July, the ability for college athletes to...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sun Aug 14 2022
How To Navigate Privacy Settings on GMTM

How To Navigate Privacy Settings on GMTM

At GMTM, our mission centers completely around serving athletes and connecting them with...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Aug 11 2022
College Soccer: Explaining how the best collegiate players turn professional

College Soccer: Explaining how the best collegiate players turn professional

For soccer players who want to play professionally, the path differs greatly from other major...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Aug 03 2022