SPH10002: Improving Soccer Instep Kick Biomechanics via Analysis

This report provides a biomechanical analysis of the instep kick in soccer, focusing on the approach, backswing, force production, foot contact, and follow-through phases. It includes both qualitative and quantitative assessments of an athlete's kicking technique, identifying areas for improvement such as trajectory and backswing. An intervention involving soccer passing drills was implemented over eight weeks to enhance the athlete's technique. Post-training analysis revealed improvements in backswing, foot contact, and hip expansion, leading to increased force production and a higher trajectory. The report concludes that targeted training drills, combined with warm-up exercises, can significantly improve the biomechanics and performance of the instep kick in soccer. Desklib provides this student assignment and many more for your academic needs.

Title
Biomechanics of in-step kick of soccer
Introduction
In-step kick of soccer is very much popular and it is effective in making a goal also. It
is a very common sporting movement of football. There are five different components
associated with in-step kick and these are, approach, backswing, force production, foot
contact and follow through. In the approach part, the player closes the ball with 45 degree
angle, in backswing the leg prepares to kick the ball, in force production the athlete swings
the leg to touch the ball, in foot contact the player touches the ball and the follow though is
the declaration of the kicking leg (Sasaki et al. 2015). The movement analysis of in-step kick
will produce a complete kinetic and kinematic analysis. The above images are representing
the training session for an instep kick of soccer. The athlete uses his right leg while kicking.
Assessment analysis
Qualitative: The kinematics occurs at the time before kicking the ball and during the
approach and backswing. Striking the ball in the lower result in a higher trajectory and
striking the ball higher creates a lower trajectory. In this case, the athlete is string the ball at
the higher part and as a result the trajectory is low (Condello et al. 2016). At the time of

striking the ball, a torque is produced around the knee and it plays an important role in
controlling the legs.
Quantitative: Coach uses various techniques and procedures for checking and
analysing the motion, torque and other components of movements. In this case, Goniometer
is used by the coach to measure the torque and range of motion. The result showed there was
lack of speed at the time of force production which hampered the trajectory of the ball.
Intervention
In order to improve the trajectory and backswing technique, a series of soccer passing
drills have been practiced during eight weeks. Pass and shoot, hit the cone these two drilling
techniques were used. Visualization and focussing on the ball can be very helpful in
acquiring the drilling techniques (Padua et al. 2015). Apart from that, warming up was also
done before playing. 30 yd x 30 yd grid with two opposing goals has been set up for the
practice session during eight weeks (Tudisco et al. 2015). After the completion of drilling
techniques during the eight weeks, another video and set of images has been recorded for the
further analysis and to check the amount of improvement.
Discussion
After the practice for eight weeks, the backswing has been improved and the foot
contact has also been improved which resulted in the higher trajectory of the ball. The hip is
being expanded more after this practice which is producing more force before touching the
ball. The hip flexor as well as the knee extension during the backswing helps to produce more
powerful force production that is helpful for foot contact. So, after the training session of
eight weeks with drills, the movement and technique of inside-kick has been improved. The

warm up session before starting the game also helps in activating the muscles of legs, hips
and lower limbs of the body.

References
Condello, G., Kernozek, T.W., Tessitore, A. and Foster, C., 2016. Biomechanical analysis of a change-
of-direction task in college soccer players. International journal of sports physiology and
performance, 11(1), pp.96-101.
Padua, D.A., DiStefano, L.J., Beutler, A.I., De La Motte, S.J., DiStefano, M.J. and Marshall, S.W., 2015.
The landing error scoring system as a screening tool for an anterior cruciate ligament injury–
prevention program in elite-youth soccer athletes. Journal of athletic training, 50(6), pp.589-595.
Sasaki, S., Koga, H., Krosshaug, T., Kaneko, S. and Fukubayashi, T., 2015. Biomechanical analysis of
defensive cutting actions during game situations: six cases in collegiate soccer competitions. Journal
of human kinetics, 46(1), pp.9-18.
Tudisco, C., Bisicchia, S., Cosentino, A., Chiozzi, F. and Piva, M., 2015. Knee stability, athletic
performance and sport-specific tasks in non-professional soccer players after ACL reconstruction:
comparing trans-tibial and antero-medial portal techniques. Muscles, ligaments and tendons journal,
5(3), p.175.