Special Olympics Football Coaches Quick Start Guide Key Words • From the side • Sweep around For good accuracy and power, keep the head down, and, with a firmly locked ankle, strike the ball with the instep. Key Words • Head down • • Toe down Watch the foot strike For more drills, please see Football CD Skill Progression Approaches ball from side, not straight on. Places non-kicking foot by side of ball. Swings kicking foot backward with bent knee. Keeps eye on ball and head still. Swings kicking foot forward, knee pointing down. Straightens knee when kicking foot follows ball. Shoots with top of foot (instep) to generate power. Controls ball before shooting. Shooting Faults & Fixes Error Ball has a back spin when shot, or goes high or wide. Player cannot get power or accuracy when shooting. Correction Encourage player to strike the middle of the ball. 1. 2. Make sure player plants non-kicking foot next to the ball. Make sure knee on kicking leg is over the ball. Kick through the ball. Drill/Test Reference Listen for the “boom” when ball is struck properly. 1. 2. Have player stand with non-kicking foot next to the ball. “Phantom” kick the ball with kicking foot. Football Quick Start Guide – September 2004 49