Let’s be honest, when we talk about the high kick in soccer, most people immediately picture a spectacular, acrobatic volley or a desperate, last-ditch clearance off the line. It’s a moment of pure, unadulterated athleticism that can change a game in a heartbeat. But here’s the thing I’ve learned from years of playing and coaching: mastering the high kick isn’t just about leaping higher than everyone else. It’s a nuanced technique built on timing, body control, and a surprising amount of tactical awareness. I remember watching a crucial final years ago where a defender, not known for his aerial prowess, came on late and played a solid 35 minutes – which, as I recall, was the most he’d played in six finals appearances up to that point. His job? To simply be a presence, to contest those high balls in the dying moments. It struck me then that the high kick, often seen as flashy, is fundamentally about effective, reliable execution under pressure. That’s what we’re going to break down.
The foundation of any good high kick, whether for a scissor kick or a defensive header, is your approach and take-off. You can’t just run flat-out and jump. It’s a controlled gather. For a right-footed volley, I always teach a slight angle from the left. Your plant foot, the left one, needs to be firmly placed about 18 to 24 inches from where you anticipate the ball’s descent, not directly underneath it. This creates the space for your kicking leg to swing through. The take-off itself is a one-legged push from that plant foot, with the opposite knee driving up to generate lift. I’m a big advocate for single-leg strength training – Bulgarian split squats, step-ups – because that explosive power comes almost entirely from one leg. A common mistake I see is players trying to jump off two feet for a kicking volley; it robs you of swing momentum and makes the timing far more awkward. Your arms are crucial here, too. Throw them upward. It’s basic physics, but so many forget it in the moment, trying to keep their arms tucked for balance. No, you need that upward thrust.
Now, the magic happens in the air. This is where body control separates the good from the great. Your core is everything. You’re not just jumping; you’re creating a stable platform mid-air from which to launch your leg. For a classic high volley, you need a slight backward arch in your upper back – the "bowed" position. This isn’t just for show. It allows your kicking leg to swing upward with greater range of motion. The non-kicking leg should be dropping slightly to counterbalance the force of the kick. Eye contact with the ball is non-negotiable. You must watch it onto your foot. I’ve found that players who consistently mishit high balls are usually looking at the goal or an opponent too early. The follow-through is what dictates power and direction. You want to strike through the center of the ball with your laces, and your kicking leg should continue its path toward the target, not just stop at impact. This ensures clean contact. For defensive headers, the principle is similar but inverted. You’re often jumping backward or sideways. Here, the neck muscles and timing the jump to meet the ball at its highest point are key. I’d estimate 70% of poorly contested headers are lost because of a mistimed jump, not a lack of height.
But technique is only half the story. The practical application is where it gets interesting. You don’t get to practice a perfect, looping cross for a bicycle kick every day in a match. You have to adapt. The high kick is often a reaction tool. As a former midfielder, I preferred to use it for clearing danger rather than scoring spectacular goals – though I won’t deny the latter is more fun. The decision-making is critical. Is it a 50-50 ball you can win, or should you hold your position? Going to ground or launching into a high kick leaves you vulnerable. That defender who played those critical 35 minutes? His value wasn’t in winning every duel, but in being a reliable option, in forcing the attacker to make a perfect play. In training, we don’t just practice the technique in isolation. We create chaotic scenarios: crowded boxes, under-hit crosses, balls coming over your shoulder. That’s the reality. My personal preference is to train high kicks at the end of a session, when legs are tired. That’s when technique breaks down, and you learn what you can truly rely on.
So, how do you build this skill? Start with the basics. Juggling, but with a focus on thigh and foot control at waist height, progressing to chest and head. It builds touch. For the jump, plyometrics are your best friend: box jumps, hurdle hops, even just repeated maximal vertical leaps. I’d dedicate at least two 20-minute sessions a week to pure plyometric work. Then, integrate. Have a partner toss balls from various angles – not just perfect service. Start stationary, focusing on form, then add a one-step approach, then a full run. Film yourself. The feedback is invaluable; you might think you’re arching perfectly, but the video often shows a slight hunch. I’m not a fan of over-coaching the spectacular kicks early on. Get the defensive heading and basic volleying solid first. The bicycle and scissor kicks are advanced modules that come after you have the core stability and air awareness locked in.
In the end, mastering the high kick is about expanding your toolkit as a player. It’s about having the confidence and the capability to attempt the extraordinary when the moment calls for it, but more importantly, it’s about executing the ordinary high ball with ruthless efficiency every single time. It turns a hopeful punt into a controlled outlet, a looping cross into a genuine scoring threat. It’s the difference between being a participant in an aerial duel and being the dictator of it. Like that defender earning his crucial 35 minutes through reliability, your value on the pitch increases exponentially when you can be trusted with the ball at any height. Work on the strength, drill the technique until it’s muscle memory, and then learn to read the game so you’re always in the right place to use it. That’s when you truly own the space above the grass.
