How to Bend or "Curve" a Soccer Ball

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

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

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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. Advertisement
  3. [1]
  4. 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]
  5. 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.
  6. [4]
  7. [5] Step 7.
  8. 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.
    9. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I score a curved free kick?
    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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 15 Helpful 95
  • Question
    Can I use the right side of my toe and leg to curve a ball?
    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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 12 Helpful 89
  • Question
    How do I do a messy curve?
    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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 15 Helpful 86
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Reader Videos

      Tips

      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Be sure the ball will curve before you strike it or it will end up somewhere unwanted (such as going out).
        Thanks
        Helpful 89 Not Helpful 18
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

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

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Do a Throw‐In in Soccer
      How to
      Dive in Soccer
      How to
      Bend a Soccer Ball
      How to
      Play Defense in Soccer
      How to
      Develop Good Soccer Dribbling Skills
      How to
      Understand Soccer Referee Signals
      How to
      Knuckle a Soccer Ball
      How to
      Curve a Soccer Ball
      How to
      Juggle a Soccer Ball
      How to
      Do a Bicycle Kick
      How to
      Trap a Soccer Ball
      How to
      Do a Ronaldo Chop
      How to
      Do an Around the World in Soccer
      How to
      Do a Rabona
      Advertisement

      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

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 230,366 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement