How to Bend or "Curve" a Soccer Ball

Curving a ball takes a lot of practice to master. This article explains how to curve a soccer ball.

Steps

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    1
    Be realistic. Curving a soccer ball is actually a lot harder to do than you might think. This will require plenty of ongoing practice, preferably with friends or other team players.
  2. Image titled Shoot a Corner in Soccer Step 2
    2
    Place the ball on the ground on the right side of 18-yard line for righties and on the left side for lefties.
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    3
    Take about two to three steps back and two to the side (the side where you want the ball to go).[1]
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    4
    Look at the point of the ball where you want to hit the ball. If you want it to swerve to the right, kick the ball on the left side and vice versa for swerving it to the left. It is much easier to start out with curving the ball to the left.[2]
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    5
    Take a running start. Aim for a bottom-right panel on the ball. Place your planting foot (left foot if you kick with right, and vice versa) at a 45 degree angle towards the ball. Take your footwear off and look at your foot. Feel the inside of your shooting foot. Feel just below the end of your big toe bone. Now move another 3⁄4 to 1 inch (1.9 to 2.5 cm) towards your ankle. This is where you should make contact with the ball. When you actually kick, your kicking foot should wrapped around to the left side of your body (for righties).[3]
    • Hit the ball with the inside of your foot. When smacking the ball with the inside of the foot, be sure to follow through with your foot.
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    6
    Make sure to swing your hips.[4]
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    Keep your ankle locked and keep your body over the ball.[5] Step 7.
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    Kick the ball. When kicking the ball, kick as though you slightly roll it just along the outside of your kicking foot's toe-to-ball of feet.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I score a curved free kick?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Curve kicks are very hard to do, but with practice you can pull it off. If you want the ball to curve around the goalkeeper, aim a little outside the side post to anticipate the ball's curve.
  • Question
    Can I use the right side of my toe and leg to curve a ball?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes. Just be sure not to make contact with your foot and the ground, as this is an easy way to injure your ankle.
  • Question
    How do I do a messy curve?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    I believe you are referring to what is called a "knuckle shot," which causes the ball to dip and swerve in random directions. For this shot, strike the ball at dead center, with a lace shot. Strike from as straight of a trajectory as possible. Instead of following though normally, stop your foot immediately following contact so no spin is added on your follow-through. After a lot of practice you'll be sending keepers the wrong direction.
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Warnings

  • Be sure the ball will curve before you strike it or it will end up somewhere unwanted (such as going out).
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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Things You'll Need

  • Soccer ball
  • Cleats (lightweight cleats are recommended)
  • Shin guards
  • Soccer socks

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR2Grj1f0VE
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSkXESt8E0M
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR2Grj1f0VE
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-5fW4xwV8o&app=desktop
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSkXESt8E0M

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 56 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 219,891 times.
124 votes - 86%
Co-authors: 56
Updated: March 19, 2023
Views: 219,891
Categories: Soccer Ball Tricks
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