InstantForum.NET v4.1.4Better Soccer Coachinghttp://www.bettersoccercoaching.com/soccerforum/forums@bettersoccercoaching.co.ukSat, 20 Mar 2010 06:45:06 GMT20http://www.bettersoccercoaching.com/soccerforum/Topic180-4-1.aspxNewbie22, I think it is important to teach players the correct technique since as they grow older toe punting the ball is not something they are going to use very often except when for some reason they cannot use their laces or are stretching for the ball. Yes, it is hard, but not accurate, as shown by Americam football kickers who have almost entirely gone away from toe punts because although the length can be longer, the accuracy is very poor. However, having said that there is nothing wrong with putting the ball in the back of the net anyway you can, and sometimes all you can get on the ball is a toe when you are stretching especially in the box. You must encourage your players to kick properly, but if they score with their toe no one is going to complain. Just remember as they get older they need to be able to pass, and shoot properly. ;)Mon, 07 Sep 2009 04:56:54 GMTdufeu58http://www.bettersoccercoaching.com/soccerforum/Topic180-4-1.aspxAh, I am very glad to see this post. I am a 1st time soccer coach (8&amp;9 yr olds) and I keep hearing the "don't toe punt the ball". The reasons I've hear for this are: "you could hurt your toe" and "it is not as accurate". My son is 8 and has an extremely accurate, hard, toe punt. He was the team leading scorer and scored in every game. He scored one goal from mid-field and almost scored twice as goalie. He is not fast or agile and can't out dribble anyone. He scored because he can kick the ball hard and accurately. My problem is that now I'M the coach and I feel pressure to correct the "problem". However, I don't want to make soccer less fun, because he is trying to do it "properly". I am working with him to do a better laces kick, because he will need to do both. After what I've read here and elsewhere, I plan to let him keep the toe punt in his "arsenal". </P><P>Also, I just saw an ad by Nike for a toe punting shoe for soccer. One thing about the toe punt is that it comes off the foot extremely fast. Thanks all.Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:31:47 GMTNewbie22http://www.bettersoccercoaching.com/soccerforum/Topic180-4-1.aspxCompletely agree. It's those little differences and non-comformity that make players and teams stand out. It would be a boring game, and a boring world, if everyone played or coached the same. </P><P>There is a lot to be said for best practice, and for how not to do things, but equally we should be encouraging what is unique and special about players.Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:29:12 GMTDwyerhttp://www.bettersoccercoaching.com/soccerforum/Topic180-4-1.aspxWhen i did one of my coaching badges the tutors showed us a picture of David Beckham taking a free kick, they explained that due to the position of his non kicking foot, because his weight was basically supported on a bent ankle that if they coached him they would correct his technique! Almost laughable!!!</P><P> There are right and wrong ways of doing things but the end result is the most important part everytime!!Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:11:30 GMTswift1http://www.bettersoccercoaching.com/soccerforum/Topic180-4-1.aspxIn the Copa America I noticed a lot of toe poke passes when the player had over run the ball, it seemed an instinctive thing for the south American players, often the first touch was outstanding but then they overran the ball and had to toe poke it to a teammate under a lot of pressure from opponents. Very effective it was, more often than not recovered the team from a position where they were about to lose the ball.Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:08:42 GMTSCW Editorhttp://www.bettersoccercoaching.com/soccerforum/Topic180-4-1.aspxAm what you may call a typical english coach, inside of the foot for passing, laces for shooting, that was until I took my young lad to Brazil coaching school, where he was coached using every part of his foot including his studs, ENGLAND OR BRAZIL ? YOU DECIDEFri, 13 Jul 2007 23:45:56 GMTFrankiehttp://www.bettersoccercoaching.com/soccerforum/Topic180-4-1.aspxi have a young lad u-10 who uses his big toe to score and he uses it quiet well and in the past i have told him not to as was thought in the coaching courses, over the season he probably has missed one or two chances including two gilt edge chances in a recent cup final both shots screwing wide of the post, but his team mates have also missed similar chances using correct part of foot so the way i look at it now especially after watching copa america is if your good at something or comfortable doing it that way work on it even perfect, if i could get him to keep his head up he'd score more i think.Fri, 13 Jul 2007 23:33:20 GMTjohnnyMhttp://www.bettersoccercoaching.com/soccerforum/Topic180-4-1.aspxI find that toe poking the ball gives young players confidence in using their non kicking foot. We have a laugh about it, but I never make a big thing of it. Getting them to use both feet, will benefit them in the long run.Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:45:22 GMTMike Khttp://www.bettersoccercoaching.com/soccerforum/Topic180-4-1.aspxHi people,</P><P>pls remember that as coaches aka trainers, we are meant to increase our kids' knowhow and skills. Hence, we should not kill EFFECTIVE natural and/or in-born characteristics, even if these annoyingly contradict the traditional ball handling skills we expect from them.</P><P>A case in point is a (now) 11 year old whom I coached two years ago; the only way he could shoot at goal was by hitting the ball with the boot toe cap. It was such an instinctive characteristic that given the slightest chance, he would shoot from any distance. His toe shot would drive the ball straight into goal and it was virtually impossible for any keeper to block the ball with his hands!</P><P>So, should I have stopped him from doing that? Besides, my season-long attempts at assisting him personally to learn the conventional ways of shooting proved futile....</P><P>Needless to say, I'm writing about 1 boy out of 30...Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:20:41 GMTZENohttp://www.bettersoccercoaching.com/soccerforum/Topic180-4-1.aspxI personally find a toe poke a useful way to accuratley chip the ball sometimes. I think when passing it is a low percentage method of striking the ball, but the toes have their uses,,, Look at what Beckham can do with his!Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:38:38 GMTBergghttp://www.bettersoccercoaching.com/soccerforum/Topic180-4-1.aspxWell if your looking for accuracy in your passing game you shouldn't favour your toe, HOWEVER if ya looking to hit the back of the net who gives a damn how it gets thereFri, 22 Jun 2007 20:13:14 GMTFrankiehttp://www.bettersoccercoaching.com/soccerforum/Topic180-4-1.aspxDuring a recent mail conversation with one of our coaches, I stated that the old absolute 'never toe poke the ball' is not applicable to the modern coach. Having seen both Ronaldinho and Ronaldo score with toe punts my youngest son scoffed at me for ever suggesting it. Does it have a place in modern soccer?<br><br>Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:55:34 GMTSCW Editor