Ball Speed vs. Accuracy

Maximum ball speed has been widely accepted to be the main biomechanical indicator of kicking success, however, here are good reasons to reconsider this notion as kicking accuracy might be much more important, as it applies to most of all passing and kicking throughout the game regardless of technique and power applied. Accurate kicks are generally slower than powerful kicks. The accuracy of the kick, depends on how fast the player approaches the ball. It has been found that when players are instructed to perform an in-step kick at their own speed of approach, the slower kicks are the more accurate ones. In contrast, if players are instructed to kick the ball as powerful as possible, then the faster the run up speed the less accurate the kick. Accuracy of the kick is related to the point of contact between the ball and the foot. According to Asai, and Carre (2002) inaccuracy arises from the error in the force applied by the foot. The first error arises from the direction of the applied force and the second is due to the misplacement of the force. If the ball was being hit at the centre, it would follow a near straight trajectory and gain maximum possible velocity with minimal spin.

Although accuracy is seen as an important factor of a successful in-step soccer kick, ball speed or projection motion is also one of the main biomechanical indicators of kicking success. Ball speed is a result of; optimum transfer of energy between segments, approach speed, skill level, gender, and age. The faster the projectile speed, the further the object will go. If the ball is kicked through the air, the distance it travels before hitting the ground will be a function of horizontal velocity and flight time. Gravity and air resistance affects ball speed as it does to any object, by pulling it back to the earth’s surface.