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A bicycle kick is a spectacular goal that can be hard to score. It’s not so much about having the strength to kick the ball as it is about getting the right angle and pace at which you kick.
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What is a Bicycle Kick?
A bicycle kick is a shot that is launched with the player’s non-kicking foot. While it’s named after the kick, the word “bicycle” comes from the fact that the player’s weight is on their instep (heel) when they kick the ball. There are many different ways to perform a bicycle kick. You can pick the ball up with your instep and then thrust it forward, or you can take a low to high power shot by lifting your heel as you kick. The main advantage to using a bicycle kick is that it uses the least amount of effort. You aren’t thrusting yourself into the air like you would to score with a normal kick, or flicking the ball up high like you would with a lob.
Why use a Bicycle Kick?
- Renders the ball more aerodynamic - With a bicycle kick, the ball is more likely to travel in a straight line, which means it’s more likely to be travelling at a high speed when it reaches its destination. The ball also travels further than it would with a normal kick, which means that you can score over a longer distance than you normally could. - To beat the goalie - It’s true that the majority of bicycle kicks don’t end up in the back of the net, but they’re worth trying if you’re vying for a goal. A goal from a low-to-high bicycle kick will likely be blocked, but it’s still a great way to get many shots off before your opponent.
Different kinds of bicycle kicks
- The Aussie - This is probably the most common kind of bicycle kick. The player picks up the ball with the instep of their non-kicking foot, lifts their heel as they kick, and uses the momentum of their body to drive the ball forward. - The Cuban - This is the same as the Aussie, but the player keeps the ball on the instep of the same foot as they kick, rather than with the instep of their non-kipping foot. This gives it more power. - The Swivel - The swivel is a shot that is launched while the player’s non-kicking foot is off the ground. This can be done by lifting your heel as you kick, keeping the ball on the instep of your foot as you kick, or doing a combination of both. - The Flick - The flick is a low to high, back to front kick that is launched with the instep of your non-kicking foot.
How to do a bicycle kick
- Pick up the ball with the non-kicking foot and place it on the ground in front of you. Make sure you’re pointing your instep at the goal. - Rise onto your toes and plant your foot firmly down onto the ball. This will ensure that you’re using the correct technique and applying the correct amount of force. - Keep your hips and shoulders squared towards the target, and ensure that your hips are square to your target. Position your hips so that they’re level with the target when you’re standing still, and that they’re higher than the target as you kick. - Now, aim to kick the ball with your non-kicking foot. The technique is almost exactly the same as a normal kick, just with a few differences. - Get into the right position by getting your hips and shoulders squared towards the target, and your hips level with the target. - Now, aim your kick by focusing on driving your heel into the ground as you swing your instep towards the target. This will generate a lot more power. - There are a few other things to keep in mind. Since your non-kicking foot will be off the ground, be careful not to disrupt your balance because you’ll be less stable than you would normally be.
Final Words: Is a Bicycle Kick for You?
A bicycle kick isn’t for everyone; it requires a lot of skill, and you need to be in the right position to hit a scoring chance. It can also be pretty dangerous if you don’t have the right balance or technique. But when executed correctly, it’s a beautiful thing to see and can deliver a huge amount of power. It’s not a technique that you’ll be able to use right off the bat, but by practicing, you can perfect the art of the bicycle kick. You need to be careful not to overdo it, though. And if you decide to try it, remember that it’s a great goal to score from a dead ball situation.