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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 05/09/2009 18:31:46
Posts: 1,
Visits: 2
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| Ah, I am very glad to see this post. I am a 1st time soccer coach (8&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". 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.
If it ain't broke don't fix it.
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 14/02/2011 04:57:31
Posts: 15,
Visits: 81
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Newbie22, 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. 
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