Master the Push Kick in Soccer: A Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Your Technique

Let’s be honest, when we talk about improving our soccer game, we often obsess over the flashy stuff: the curling free-kick, the slick step-over, or the powerful volley. But in my years of playing and coaching, I’ve found that mastering the fundamentals is what truly separates good players from great ones. And there’s one fundamental technique that’s criminally under-practiced: the push kick. It might sound basic, but a perfectly executed push pass is the heartbeat of possession football. It’s the technique that allows a team like the one in that recent game report—where Lars Sung dropped 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Kyt Jimenez added 10 points, seven rebounds, and six assists—to function. Think about it. Jimenez’s six assists in that basketball game? That’s a product of vision and precise, reliable passing. Translate that to the soccer pitch. Your ability to consistently find a teammate with the right weight and accuracy on a simple 10-yard push pass is what builds those six-assist performances. It’s the foundation upon which every attacking move is constructed.

So, how do we move beyond just kicking the ball and start truly mastering the push kick? It starts with your approach, and I’m a stickler for the details here. Your non-kicking foot, the plant foot, is your anchor. Place it about 6 to 8 inches beside the ball, pointing directly at your target. This isn’t a suggestion; it’s a rule. If your plant foot is behind the ball, you’ll likely scoop it. If it’s too far in front, you’ll stub your toe into the ground. I’ve seen countless young players neglect this, and their passing consistency suffers immediately. Now, for the kicking foot itself. Lock your ankle. I mean, really lock it. Your toes should be pointed up, and your ankle rigid. The contact point is critical: use the inside of your foot, that large, flat area between your big toe and your ankle bone. Strike through the center of the ball. A common mistake I coach out of players is leaning back, which causes the ball to pop up. Instead, keep your head steady and your body slightly forward, almost as if you’re leaning over the ball. This ensures it stays on the deck, skimming the grass to your teammate’s feet. Follow through toward your target. Your kicking leg shouldn’t just stop at impact; let it swing naturally in the direction you’re passing. This follow-through is what gives the pass its intentional direction and consistent pace.

But technique is only half the story. The mental side is where the artistry comes in. Before you even receive the ball, you should be scanning, taking a mental snapshot of where your teammates and opponents are. This is that “six assists” vision from Kyt Jimenez’s stat line. You’re not just passing to a player; you’re passing into a space that allows them to be successful. Is your teammate marked tightly? Then maybe you need to pass the ball to their back foot, shielding it from the defender. Are they in space? Lead them with a pass into their path. The weight of the pass is everything. A pass that’s too soft gets intercepted; a pass that’s too hard skips out of play or makes control difficult. I always tell my players to think about the surface, too. On a wet, slick pitch, you might not need to follow through as forcefully—the ball will travel faster. On a dry, bumpy field, you need to put a bit more behind it. This situational awareness turns a mechanical action into an intelligent one.

Now, let’s talk practice. You can’t master this in team drills alone. You need repetitive, isolated work. My personal preference? The wall drill. Find a solid wall, mark a spot on it, and stand 10 yards back. Practice striking that spot with the inside of your foot, controlling the rebound, and passing again. Aim for 50 clean, crisp contacts with each foot in a session. It’s monotonous, but it builds the muscle memory that becomes automatic in a game. Then, incorporate movement. Dribble a few yards, push pass to a wall target, move to receive the rebound, and repeat. This mimics the game’s dynamic nature. Finally, get with a partner and practice over varying distances—5 yards, 15 yards, 25 yards. Feel how your backswing and follow-through adjust. The goal is to make the correct technique your default under any condition, whether you’re tired in the 85th minute or under pressure from a closing defender.

In conclusion, while we celebrate the spectacular, the push kick remains the unsung hero of soccer. It’s the technique that controls the tempo, conserves energy, and unlocks defenses through patience and precision. Just as a basketball team’s flow depends on reliable passes to set up stars like Lars Sung for scoring opportunities, a soccer team’s rhythm is built on a foundation of flawless push passing. It’s not the most glamorous skill, but in my view, it’s the most important. Mastering it requires a blend of disciplined technique, constant situational awareness, and, frankly, a lot of boring repetition. But the payoff is immense: you become the reliable hub your team can always count on, the player who makes everyone else better with every simple, perfect pass. Start with the wall, focus on those fundamentals, and watch your entire game elevate.