Bending Balls

Bending Balls

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When you see a soccer player curl a free kick into the top corner of the goal, away from the goalkeeper’s outstretched hands, you are witnessing the art of “bending” the ball.

Bending Balls in Soccer

Bending is also known as swerving, spinning, curving, or curling the ball. A bended ball may also be referred to as a “banana kick” because of the familiar curved shape. Probably the player most well-known for bending the ball is David Beckham of English Premier League, England National Team, and “Bend It Like Beckham” movie fame.

Bending a soccer ball means applying spin (“english”) to the ball so that it curves in the air in flight, generally either to the right or to the left, depending on how the ball is struck. The ball must first be lofted off the ground for the spin to take effect. Loft is added by striking the ball below the midline in order to get the ball into the air.

There are four basic kicks used to bend a ball, two with the right foot and two with the left foot:

Using the inside-instep of the right foot to impart spin to the lower-right quadrant of the ball will make the ball curve to the left.
Using the outside-instep of the right foot to impart spin to the lower-left quadrant of the ball will make the ball curve to the right.
Using the inside-instep of the left foot to impart spin to the lower-left quadrant of the ball will make the ball curve to the right.
Using the outside-instep of the left foot to impart spin to the lower-right quadrant of the ball will make the ball curve to the left.

To simultaneously impart spin and generate loft, the ball must be struck in some portion of the lower-right or lower-left quadrant, depending on the desired effect.

In addition to general shooting, examples of using bending balls are: shooting direct free kicks without a “wall,” shooting around a “wall,” passing the ball around a defender to a teammate, crossing, and corner kicks. Spin can also be applied to bend volleys, half-volleys, and penalty kicks. Spin can further be added that causes a ball to rise or dip.

The Physics Behind the Bend

The key to bending a ball lies in a fundamental understanding of the curved flight of a spinning sphere through the air. When you strike the ball off-center, you generate the spin, which alters the air pressure around the ball. On one side the air pressure is decreased, while on the other side the air pressure is increased.

After loft and spin have been applied, as the ball then travels through the air, it curves or bends to the side with the decreased pressure. This is called the “Magnus Effect” and it is the same principle that applies to a “curve ball” in baseball or a “hook” or a “slice” in golf.

After hitting the ball off-center, on one of its outside surfaces, the ball rotates in the direction of the strike, creating the pressure differential that pushes it in the opposite direction. A strike on the right of the ball causes it to spin counter-clockwise and to curve left. A strike on the left of the ball causes it to spin clockwise and to curve right. The faster the spin, the more pronounced the bend.

Synopsis

Mastering the bend is about precision and control. The ball must be struck with the proper surface of the shoe, in the proper location on the ball, to obtain the desired effect. This requires concentration on technique, experimentation, and lots of practice.

Although a bending kick is another modification of the instep drive, it does not involve a traditional kick of the ball. As an advanced skill, it is critical to re-position the foot differently to be able to simultaneously impart both loft and spin when the kick is made.

First, the foot must be turned at the ankle, either inside or outside (depending on which bend is being made), and with the front of the foot down (angled either at the big or the little toe depending on which bend is being made) and the heel pulled up toward the calf. Similar to chipping, this provides the angle necessary for loft.

Second, as contact with the ball is made, the shoe must remain in touch with the proper surface of the ball continuously from the leading edge to the back edge of the correct surface of the shoe. The shoe’s forward motion against the ball creates friction which imparts the essential spin.

TECHNIQUE

There are two major types of kicks associated with bending balls, the inside curve or “in-swerve,” which uses the inside-instep of the foot to contact the ball; and the outside curve or “out-swerve,” which uses the outside-instep of the foot to contact the ball. The technique used for either of these kicks is equally applicable to the right and the left foot. Curving the ball involves a skill set that can be broken down into a number of component parts, each of which is significant. Ultimately, however, it is the combination of these parts into one single, smooth, and seamless technique that creates the result necessary to perform the skill.

The In-Swerve, Using the Inside-Instep of the Foot

Demonstration of Shoe/Ball Contact: Using a handheld shoe and ball, show: 1.) the correct angle of the shoe (emphasizing both the front-to-back and the side-to-side rotation of the shoe caused by the bend of the ankle); 2.) the correct contact surface of the shoe, the inside-instep (not the “inside”); and, 3.) the correct contact surface of the ball, the lower quadrant. Show the effect of the strike and movement of the shoe against the ball and how the spin is imparted to the ball. Next, use a right shoe to show inside-instep contact with the lower-right quadrant of the ball, demonstrating that the ball will loft and spin off counter-clockwise to the left. Then, use a left shoe to show inside-instep contact with the lower-left quadrant of the ball, demonstrating that the ball will loft and spin off clockwise to the right. Finally, show all of the above with the ball on the ground and the shoe on the foot.

RIGHT FOOT INSWINGER:

#9 – Left Instep

Lower right striking surface of a soccer ball.

LEFT FOOT INSWINGER:

Left Foot Inside Instep Surface of the Soccer Shoe

Lower left striking surface of a soccer ball.

Demonstrate the Full Kick: Utilizing the skills of an advanced, fully-competent player or coach, demonstrate the in-swerve, bending-ball kick with the inside of both the right and then the left foot.

Set-up: Establish a kicking location for stationary kicks marked by a ball, an obstacle representing a “defender” – usually a cone, but it could be a “coaching stake” or a “mannequin” – and a target – often another cone but possibly a pop-up goal of a full-sized goal. These three objects should essentially be in a straight line. A disk should be placed approximately 3-feet away from where the ball will be kicked. The defender cone should be set about 10- to 15-yards away from the ball and the target should be approximately 10-yards beyond that. The object is to kick the ball to the side of the cone and have it bend around the cone and back to the target. (It is recommended that multiple balls be used, with a teammate to help collect them.)

Strike Preparation: This involves recognizing the target, accounting for the curve of the ball, and aiming properly to either side of the defender (cone). In other words, whether shooting or passing, the kicker needs to know in advance where they want the ball to end up, to allow for the bend of the ball in flight, and to visualize a point in space – just above and far enough away from the defender – to send the ball through to make it all happen. For example, shooting a ball with a right-footed inswinger, intended to curve to the left into the goal, will be initially struck to the right of the defender.

Run-up/Approach: The run-up or approach to the ball is almost as critical to the success of the bending technique as the strike of the ball itself. This is because the direction of the run-up establishes the initial direction of the path of the ball to the outside of a defender. The ball should be approached essentially on a straight line that mirrors the initial straight-line path of the ball right after it is struck and before it begins to bend. The angle of approach and the length of the run-up are often self-specific to the kicker after much experimentation. Generally, the angle of approach is likely to not exceed 10-degrees from straight-on and the run-up not more than 10-feet. There should be enough room for three strong strides before the kick.

Approach to a Bending Ball

A straight-on approach means that the ball should be directly in front of the kicker, and the cone (defender) should appear off to one side (right or left) of the initial flight pattern. Experimentation may result in a minor modification of the angle of approach based on which kick is being made. Alterations may be determined by the comfort level associated with the kick being right- or left-footed and the feeling of the “wrap-around” of the foot on the ball to create the spin.

Body Positioning: In the run-up to the ball, the body should be directed slightly to the side of the ball to be struck. For an inside curve, open the hips slightly toward the target (plant-foot side forward, kicking-foot side back). Maintain balance throughout the striking motion with the non-kicking foot planted firmly on the ground and the weight equally distributed over it. Keep the head down and vision focused on the ball throughout the strike. Hold the arms out for balance.

Backswing: For either kick, the backswing of the kicking foot is the same as for any instep drive, the leg is bent at the knee and the heel of the kicking foot drawn toward the back of the upper leg. The emphasis on the backswing is determined by the amount of power required for the distance of the kick and the desired spin on the ball.

Plant-Foot Placement: For an inside curve, at the time of the strike the plant foot should be slightly outside of and behind the ball. There must be sufficient space to allow for both the curving path of the kicking foot to be unimpeded, to impart the spin, and for the kicking foot to be on the rise, to create loft. Place the non-kicking foot at about a 15-degree angle outside from the initial path of the ball. Adjust the plant foot location based on the distance of the kick or analysis of the flight of the ball. (Recognize that the strike location on the ball may have to be altered.) Note that the non-kicking foot does not have to remain “stuck” to the ground. The heel may come up, the shoe can pivot on the ball of the foot, or the foot may leave the ground entirely during the follow through, all based on the preferences of an individual kicker.

Kicking Foot: For the inside curve, the ankle must first be turned to the outside with the front of the foot angled down at the big toe, both from front-to-back and side-to-side. The ankle must then start out locked.

Initial Point of Contact of the Shoe: Aim to strike the ball with the leading portion of the inside-instep surface of the shoe, the area from just behind the big toe up toward the ankle. This area includes the inside portion of the shoe laces. It is important that the laces be involved because they promote a better grip on the ball.

Bending Ball (Right Foot) – Left Instep Contact with the Lower-Right
Quadrant of the Ball Bends the Ball from Right to Left

Continued Contact with the Ball: The objective is to maximize the contact time of the shoe with the ball. This includes the surface area from front-to-back to impart the spin and bottom-to-top to apply loft. The ankle is then turned into the spin.

Follow Through: After striking the ball, follow through with the kicking foot more to the front of the body. This follow-through is critical to success because the continued contact of the foot with the ball for the longest possible time both generates the best spin and directs the ball to the target. The strike and the follow-through must be in one fluid motion. A stab at the ball or reduced contact will result in less spin and loss of proper placement. The follow through can enhance spin by swinging the hips around and turning the knee inside. (Note that a follow-through with the kicking foot ending high will help the ball rise and that a follow-through with the kicking foot ending low will help keep the ball down. Either approach is dependent upon the specific situation.) The follow through helps to guide the ball to the target.

Moving Ball: After obtaining a comfort level kicking a stationary ball, practice kicking a moving ball using the same set-up. Dribble toward the cone. Still using a disk as a marker, from approximately six-feet away from the disk, push the ball beside the disk and then strike.

The Out-Swerve, Using the Outside-Instep of the Foot

Demonstration of Shoe/Ball Contact: Using a handheld shoe and ball, show: 1.) the correct angle of the shoe (emphasizing both the front-to-back and the side-to-side rotation of the shoe caused by the bend of the ankle); 2.) the correct contact surface of the shoe, the outside-instep (not the “outside”); and, 3.) the correct contact surface of the ball, the lower quadrant. Show the effect of the strike and movement of the shoe against the ball and how the spin is imparted to the ball. Next, use a right shoe to show outside-instep contact with the lower-left quadrant of the ball, demonstrating that the ball will loft and spin off clockwise to the right. Then, use a left shoe to show outside-instep contact with the lower-right quadrant of the ball, demonstrating that the ball will loft and spin off counter-clockwise to the left. Finally, show all of the above with the ball on the ground and the shoe on the foot.

RIGHT FOOT OUTSWINGER:

#8 – Right Instep

Lower left striking surface of a soccer ball.

LEFT FOOT OUTSWINGER:

Left Foot Outside Instep Surface of the Soccer Shoe

Lower right striking surface of a soccer ball.

Demonstrate the Full Kick: Utilizing the skills of an advanced, fully-competent player or coach, demonstrate the out-swerve, bending-ball kick with the outside of both the right and then the left foot.

Strike Preparation: This involves recognizing the target, accounting for the curve of the ball, and aiming properly to either side of the defender (cone). In other words, whether shooting or passing, the kicker needs to know in advance where they want the ball to end up, to allow for the bend of the ball in flight, and to visualize a point in space – just above and far enough away from the defender – to send the ball through to make it all happen. For example, shooting a ball with a right-footed outswinger, intended to curve to the right into the goal, will be initially struck to the left of the defender.

Approach to a Bending Ball

Body Positioning: In the run-up to the ball, the body should be directed slightly to the side of the ball to be struck. For an outside curve, open the hips slightly away from the target (plant-foot side forward, kicking-foot side back). Maintain balance throughout the striking motion with the non-kicking foot planted firmly on the ground and the weight equally distributed over it. Keep the head down and vision focused on the ball throughout the strike. Hold the arms out for balance.

Backswing: For either kick, the backswing of the kicking foot is the same as for any instep drive, the leg is bent at the knee and the heel of the non-kicking foot drawn toward the back of the upper leg. The emphasis on the backswing is determined by the amount of power required for the distance of the kick and the desired spin on the ball.

Plant-Foot Placement: For an outside curve, at the time of the strike the plant foot should be slightly outside of and behind the ball. There must be sufficient space to allow for both the curving path of the kicking foot to be unimpeded, to impart the spin, and for the kicking foot to be on the rise, to create loft. Place the kicking foot at about a 15-degree outside angle from the initial path of the ball. Adjust the plant foot location based on the distance of the kick or analysis of the flight of the ball. (Recognize that the strike location on the ball may have to be altered.) Note that the non-kicking foot does not have to remain “stuck” to the ground. The heel may come up, the shoe can pivot on the ball of the foot, or the foot may leave the ground entirely during the follow through, all based on the preferences of an individual kicker.

Kicking Foot: For the outside curve, the ankle must first be turned to the inside with the front of the foot angled down at the little toe, both from front-to-back and side-to-side. The ankle must then start out locked.

Initial Point of Contact of the Shoe: Aim to strike the ball with the outside-instep surface of the shoe, the area from just behind the little toe up toward the ankle. This area includes the outside portion of the shoe laces. It is important that the laces be involved because they promote a better grip on the ball.

Bending Ball (Right Foot) – Right Instep Contact with the Lower-Left
Quadrant of the Ball bends the ball from left to right.

Follow Through: After striking the ball, follow through with the kicking foot across the body. This follow-through is critical to success because the continued contact of the foot with the ball for the longest possible time both generates the best spin and directs the ball to the target. The strike and the follow-through must be in one fluid motion. A stab at the ball or reduced contact will result in less spin and loss of proper placement. The follow through can enhance spin by swinging the hips around. (Note that a follow-through with the kicking foot ending high will help the ball rise and that a follow-through with the kicking foot ending low will help keep the ball down. Either approach is dependent upon the specific situation.) The follow through helps to guide the ball to the target.

EXPERIMENTATION

Set up – The minimum equipment requires two cones and two balls for one player. A pop-up goal and two players would be nice. Ideally, the equipment should include at least four cones, four balls, possibly a coaching stake or mannequin, and a full-sized goal for three players.

Place a ball, a target, and an obstacle – Each kick during the first part of experimentation should include the clear identification of the location from where the ball will be kicked and the target to be struck. For an older player, this might be a ball placement 30-yards out from the right post of the goal. If no goal is available, a cone or a pop-up goal should be placed as the post. A cone representing a defender should initially be placed on a direct line, equidistant between the ball and the post.

Warm-up – Bring the heart-rate up and stretch appropriately for exercise.

Getting started – Take a few light leg swings without the ball. Using the right leg, practice the correct ankle direction and initial lock for the outside of the foot technique. Repeat with the left leg. Then, using the right leg, practice the correct ankle direction and lock for the inside of the foot technique. Repeat with the left leg.

Practice hitting dead balls – At this stage, the objective is to first address the bend. Using the right leg, practice bending the ball around the center cone (defender/obstacle) to hit the target, using the correct inside-of-the-foot technique. Repeat with the left leg. Then, using the right leg, practice using the correct outside-of-the-foot technique to bend around the cone and hit the target. Repeat with the left leg. [As a practice trick for an individual, place a cone behind you from the original ball placement and then take kicks in the return direction, using this cone as the target. The more balls the better.]

Spin and Loft – After success has been achieved with obtaining a proper bend on each kick, use the same target-and-obstacle approach to experiment with spin and loft. Spin is addressed with concentration on how hard and for how long the foot maintains contact with the “side” portion of the contact surface of the ball. Loft is addressed with concentration on the sweep of foot under the “bottom” portion of the contact surface of the ball and torso. Each of these require a slight modification to the location of the strike of the foot on the ball. This is not easy to address because of the speed at which the action occurs. First, the player must see their foot strike the ball in the slightly-modified location and, second, the player must then analyze the resulting flight of the ball to recognize the associated result.

Other Considerations – After obtaining a comfort level with modifications to spin and loft, experimentation continues by altering the following:

Modifying the angle of approach
Modify the placement of the plant foot
Slight changes to the angle of the sole of the foot
Slight changes to the contact surface of the shoe
Slight changes to the contact surface of the ball
Different distances and locations on the field
Moving the defender farther outside the target line (similar to a wall situation)
Target the goal or a teammate high and low
Slight changes to the finish point of the follow through
Wider bends
Dribbling before hitting a bended ball
Changes in power

Approximate Game Conditions – This includes general shooting, shooting direct free kicks without a “wall,” shooting around a “wall,” passing the ball around a defender to a teammate, crossing, and corner kicks.

Note – Sometimes choosing to bend a ball may not be the optimal decision. For some targets bending just may not work – there may not be enough distance for the curve to take. Players should make a mental note of what works best for them in any given situation and modify their use of bending accordingly. In addition, players should seek feedback from coaches and teammates, and engage in visualization techniques.

PRACTICE

Perform the demonstrations as described above.

Allow time for individual experimentation as described above.

Provide reminders about the following:

Basic kick: Significant modification to the instep drive because of the changes to the position of the ankle.
Establishing the target: Kick the ball to the side away from the aiming point, allowing it to curve back to the intended location.
Strike point: Kick the ball in the lower quadrant and off to the side.
Maintain contact: Keep the foot in contact with the ball as long as possible.
Follow-Through: Extra spin may be achieved by bringing the kicking foot around in front of the body.

Stationary-Ball Drills to Develop Bending Ability (Without Defenders)

Basic cone – Set up a cone about 30-feet away and curve the ball around the cone and into a goal. Experiment with all four kicks. (Use coaching stakes instead of the cone, if available.)
Use a mannequin as an individual defender – If available, curve the ball around a mannequin, into goal.
Different angles – Progressively, set up the ball at a number of different locations just beyond the perimeter of the penalty area.
Crossing – Place the ball near the corner of the field and curve the ball back into the field away from the goal. Use out-swingers from both sides to hit specific teammates or a designated target area defined by disks or cones.
Corner kicks – Place the ball in the corner arc of the field and curve the ball a.) into the goal; and then b.) away from the goal.

Use mannequins as a wall – Place mannequins just as players would make a wall to defend a free-kick. (Use multiple coaching stakes if mannequins are not available.)

Moving-Ball Drills to Develop Bending Ability (With Stationary “Defenders”)

Shooting – Set a cone, coaching stake, or mannequin as a defender. Dribble to a location lining up the defender with the goal and then bend a shot around the defender.
Crossing – Place stationary defenders approximately 20-yards toward goal from the corner arc. Dribble into an area near the corner and bend a cross to the 18.
Elliptical Drill – With a cone between two teammates, dribble to a point where the players and the cone line up and then bend the ball around to the cone to pass it to the teammate.
Passing – Bend the ball around a defender to a teammate making a run beyond the defender.
Figure-Eight Drill – Place two cones 15-yards apart between two teammates. Bend a ball between the cones to the far receiver running laterally.
Goalkeeper – With a teammate standing in the center of the goal, acting as a stationary “goalkeeper, dribble up to the 18 and bend a ball away from the goalkeeper and just inside a post.

Game Conditions (Full Active Play, then Conditional Play)

Whether in a half-field or full-field environment, establish that the scrimmage is to focus on bending balls and that, as play progresses, conditions will be announced to call for a bending ball. This should include:

Free Kicks – With and without walls, from various distances.
Corner Kicks – From both sides, using inswingers and outswingers.
Long-Range Shots – From various locations.
Short-Range Shots – From various locations.
Crosses – From both sides.
Penalty Kicks – To both sides, using inswingers and outswingers.

Corrective comments may include:

Less powerful kicks can result in more spin and curve than a direct hard kick.

If the ball did not bend, strike it more to the side.
If the ball did not rise, strike it more to the bottom, place the non-kicking foot farther behind the ball, and/or ensure the torso is not over the ball.
Aiming can be considered to be a two-step process: first to direct the ball to the side of the obstacle; and, second, to place the ball on the intended target. Aim left, target right. Aim right, target left.
Curving around a wall of defenders requires lots of spin.
Curving the ball to fool a goalie on a free kick may require less spin.
To score directly from a corner kick usually requires a large curve, directed to the far, upper corner of the goal.

Not enough spin, try for more foot contact by turning the foot during the follow through.
Successful shots and passes during the run of play depend on timing. It is essential that a player properly assess a goalkeeper’s position or anticipate the movement of a teammate.
Players must adapt to different game situations. They must recognize when to use a curve and when to opt for a different type of shot based on the positioning of defenders and the goalkeeper. Players must not get locked into making a move that isn’t there.

Soccer Coaching Tips:

A “coaching stake” is little more than a corner flag with the flag removed.
Although bending is an advanced technique, children can be taught how to curve a soccer ball. After success has been achieved with the instep drive, youth may be introduced to bending, but it takes a lot of patience. Coaches should not expect immediate success and should allow additional time for experimentation.
The type of soccer shoe can affect a player’s ability to bend the ball. Advanced players may seek out shoes with larger striking surfaces in the proper locations or “leathers” that may feel more “sticky.”
As a fun activity, players may compete to score corner kicks by attempting “olympic” goals. An olympic goal (or “olympico”) is a goal scored directly from a corner kick, without any other contact, almost always utilizing an in-swinger. “Olympic” in this case means “heroic” and does not refer to “The Olympics” or the “Olympic Games.” The in-swingers may be taken from either side, using the right foot from the left corner or the left foot from the right corner. (For an extreme challenge, out-swingers may be attempted using the left foot from the left corner or the right foot from the right corner.)
There does appear to be an anecdotal difference between bending using the inside or the outside of the foot. Players tend to use the inside bend more for both shorter and longer distances, and the outside bend for more passes and shots at shorter distances.
Players may also achieve bending a ground ball, but this is rarely used. Alternatively, spin may be put on the ball, with little loft, such that when it hits the ground it curves away from a defender and toward a teammate. This technique can also be used as a shot, to spin the ball away from a goalkeeper.
Coaches may strive to find and encourage bending-ball specialists, especially for direct free kick situations, particularly those involving walls. (There is an assumption about bending balls around a wall that: a ball to the right of a wall would involve a right-footed inswinger or a left-footed outswinger, and vice-versa.)
For passing, even the slightest loft will allow for a bend.