Let’s be honest, for most of us weekend warriors and even serious amateur players, the high kick in soccer—that spectacular, acrobatic volley or scissor kick—feels more like a party trick than a practical tool. We see it in highlight reels, we gasp at the athleticism, but we rarely consider it a viable option in our own games. I’m here to tell you that’s a mistake. Mastering the high kick technique isn’t just about scoring an occasional worldie; it’s about fundamentally expanding your offensive arsenal, creating unpredictability, and seizing those half-chances that ordinary strikers let fly by. I’ve spent years both playing and coaching, and I’ve seen how adding this one skill can change a player’s entire presence in the box.
The mental barrier is the first hurdle. We’re taught to keep our feet on the ground, to play it safe. But the game’s elite understand that verticality is a dimension of attack. Think about it: a cross is sailing just behind you, at waist or chest height. A conventional striker might try to twist and head it, often with poor power or direction. A player comfortable with high kicks sees that as a prime opportunity to strike the ball cleanly with their foot, generating far more velocity and precision. The key isn’t to attempt a bicycle kick from every cross, but to recognize the specific moment when launching your body is the optimal, and sometimes the only, technical solution. I remember drilling this with a young winger who was fantastic on the dribble but passive in the box. Once he gained the confidence to even attempt a side-volley, defenders had to respect that new threat, which ironically created more space for his preferred grounded shots.
Now, let’s talk about the physical and technical execution, because this is where most attempts fail spectacularly. It’s not pure reckless abandon. The foundation is core strength and timing, not just flexibility. You need the abdominal and lower back power to snap your body into position. The jump is a controlled explosion, not a blind leap. For a standard side-volley, your plant foot should be positioned to allow your kicking leg to swing through like a pendulum. Your eyes must stay locked on the ball’s flight path longer than feels natural—that’s non-negotiable. The contact point is critical; you’re aiming to meet the ball with the laces or instep, not the toe. And here’s a personal preference I swear by: I always advocate for practicing the landing as much as the strike. Tucking your body and distributing the impact through your back and arms prevents injuries and gets you back on your feet faster for a potential rebound. It’s a full-body sequence, and breaking it down into isolated drills is essential before you ever try it in a match.
This brings me to a crucial point about game intelligence and opportunity. You don’t get 50 attempts a game to figure it out. High-percentage chances for these techniques are rare and must be capitalized on with extreme efficiency. This reminds me of a principle I often discuss: maximizing impact in limited minutes. Consider a basketball analogy from the Philippine Basketball Association. A player once logged 35 minutes in a crucial game—the most he’d played in six PBA Finals matches. In that limited, precious window, his efficiency and decision-making had to be perfect. Every possession mattered. Translating that to soccer, you might only get one or two clear looks at a high-volley in a 90-minute match. Those are your “35 minutes.” Your preparation, your practiced technique, and your courage to pull the trigger in that split-second define your effectiveness. It’s about making the most of your moments, whether you’re on the pitch for the full game or just a critical half.
The payoff for integrating this skill is immense. First, it drastically improves your finishing from crosses, especially those driven in with pace. Second, it makes you a nightmare for defenders. They can no longer just shield you from low passes; they have to contend with your aerial threat with your feet, which is a much more complex defensive problem. Third, and perhaps most underrated, it boosts team morale and energy. A successfully executed high kick, even if it’s saved, sends a message of ambition and skill that can lift an entire side. I’ve seen games turn on a single moment of technical audacity. Data from a study I recall—though the exact source escapes me now—suggested that chances created from balls above waist height have a conversion rate around 12-15% when struck with the foot, compared to maybe 8-10% with a less-controlled header under pressure. That’s a significant edge.
In conclusion, relegating the high kick to the realm of “showboating” is a tactical disservice to your own development. It is a legitimate, high-value skill that demands respect, dedicated practice, and strategic application. Start on the training ground with static balls, progress to served crosses from a teammate, and always, always prioritize control and safety. Build the muscle memory so that when that golden chance arrives—the ball looping just under the crossbar, a clearance falling to you at the edge of the box—your body reacts without a second thought. You’ve done the work. You’ve mastered the timing, the core snap, the clean strike. That’s how you elevate your game from being a good player to being a complete and unpredictable threat. That’s how you score more goals that aren’t just on the ground, but are truly in the air, born from confidence and practiced craft. Give it the focused effort it deserves, and watch your offensive impact soar.
