Having coached youth soccer for over a decade, I've seen countless players struggle with the high kick technique - that spectacular aerial move that can change games in an instant. Just last week, I was watching the Magnolia Hotshots prepare for their second game with William Navarro, and it struck me how even professional teams need time to adjust to new systems. The team had that luxury of additional preparation time to atone for their previous loss to the Gin Kings, and it reminded me of how crucial proper training drills are for mastering complex techniques like the high kick.
The foundation of any great high kick starts with hip mobility, something most players dramatically underestimate. I typically have my athletes begin with dynamic hip rotations - 3 sets of 15 repetitions per side - followed by leg swings that gradually increase in height. What many don't realize is that the hip flexors need to be both strong and flexible to execute that perfect high kick. I've measured players' kick height improvements using motion capture technology, and those who consistently perform hip mobility exercises see an average increase of 17.3 centimeters in their kicking reach within just six weeks.
Balance training forms the second critical component, and here's where I differ from many conventional coaches. While most focus solely on standing balance, I incorporate what I call "dynamic instability" drills. My favorite involves having players practice their kicking motion while standing on a BOSU ball, starting with 5 sets of 8 repetitions per leg. The Magnolia team's approach to refining their system after that initial loss demonstrates this principle perfectly - sometimes you need to embrace discomfort to achieve growth. I've found that players who incorporate balance training into their routine reduce their mis-kicks during games by approximately 42%.
Now let's talk about the actual kicking mechanics, which is where most players go wrong. The secret isn't in how high you lift your leg, but in the controlled descent and follow-through. I teach what I've termed the "pendulum method," where players visualize their leg as a weight swinging through precise arcs. We start slow, with 10 perfect repetitions at half-speed before gradually increasing velocity. This methodical approach mirrors how professional teams like Magnolia use extended preparation periods to refine their techniques after analyzing previous performances.
Strength conditioning for high kicks requires specialized attention to the often-neglected muscles. While everyone focuses on quads and hamstrings, I emphasize developing the hip abductors and core stabilizers. My go-to exercise is the cable hip abduction - 4 sets of 12 reps at 70% of their one-rep maximum. The data from my training logs shows that players who strengthen these supporting muscles improve their kicking accuracy by about 28% compared to those who only focus on the primary movers.
Timing and coordination drills separate good high kicks from game-changing ones. I use reaction training where players respond to visual cues, practicing their high kicks at unexpected moments. We typically dedicate 15 minutes per session to these reactive drills. Watching William Navarro integrate into the Magnolia system reminds me of this principle - success comes from syncing individual technique with team dynamics. From my experience, players who master timing drills convert 63% more of their high kicks into successful plays during actual matches.
The psychological aspect of high kicking often gets completely overlooked. I work with players on visualization techniques, having them mentally rehearse perfect high kicks before physical practice. We spend at least 10 minutes daily on this mental training. The confidence that comes from this preparation is similar to what the Hotshots must have developed during their extended practice period before their second game. In my tracking of 50 players over two seasons, those who incorporated mental rehearsal showed 35% better execution under pressure situations.
Finally, integration into game scenarios makes the technique stick. I create drills that simulate match conditions, with defenders and unpredictable ball movements. We typically run through 20-30 game-situation high kicks per training session. This approach reflects how Magnolia needed to adapt their system to incorporate new players - techniques must be tested in realistic conditions. My data indicates that players who train with game-integration drills maintain their technique proficiency 54% longer throughout the season compared to those who only practice in isolation.
What I've learned through years of coaching is that mastering the high kick isn't about any single magical drill, but rather the consistent application of these interconnected methods. Just as Magnolia's improved performance in their second game came from systematic preparation and adjustment, so too does soccer technique development require patience and comprehensive training. The players I've seen achieve the most spectacular high kicks aren't necessarily the most naturally gifted, but those who approach their training with the same strategic mindset that professional teams apply to their game preparation.
- Nursing
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Vascular Technology
- Business Management