How to Soccer Volley
Volleying is an advanced and valuable skill for soccer players. The skill of volleying requires concentration, body control and technical ability. The ability to volley allows a player to move the ball at a very fast speed, and is invaluable in the following situations;
- A defender in a crowd dealing with a bouncing ball with little time to clear.
- A player dealing with a bouncing or high ball that has no time to control the ball.
- A forward receives a high ball in the penalty area and must shoot immediately to avoid defensive pressure.
Volley Technique
Two main types of volleying technique exist; the side foot volley and the laces volley. The side foot volley is usually performed when optimal accuracy is required. The standing foot must be close to the ball when volleying with the side of the foot. Standing and reaching for a ball makes the accuracy of a volley extremely difficult to control. Strike the ball at the midpoint and have the knee over the ball when making contact. Hitting the ball while the leg is travelling in an upward motion and already following through will put too much height on the volley.
The laces volley is used to drive the ball when more power is required. The standing foot must be close to the ball with the knee over the ball upon contact. After hitting a driven volley the follow through should result in the toes of the kicking foot pointing at the intended target.
Height of ball
Balls that are above waist height often require a player to trap with another body part such as the chest before volleying. If the player has time he should allow the ball to drop to a manageable height and time his volley to get maximal power. Balls around waist height may be hit with a side on volley technique. This involves the player planting one foot and the striking leg being raised parallel to the ground and striking the ball mid swing. Zinedine Zidane scored one of the great goals of all time using this technique, illustrated in the video clip below;
Click here to view the drillAnticipation
To perform the volley skill successfully a player must have an idea what he is attempting to do early. A player who makes decisions while the ball is travelling through the air will not be focused enough on the ball if she is second guessing where to volley it. A player should decide as the ball leaves their teammates feet, then commit to the action and focusing on proper technique.
Volley Practice
The best way to improve your volleying technique is through investing time and repetitions into practice. The following drills can help you improve your volleying technique whether alone or in a group;
Individual
Practice volleying alone by throwing a ball up in the air before volleying it to a wall and letting it rebound directly back to you. Practice accuracy by awarding yourself a point for every rebound you can catch without stepping to the side. Practice this using both feet, and work repetitions of side foot and laces volley technique. Progress difficulty by moving further away from the wall.
Group
A group of players can work on volleys incorporating movement. Have half of the group with a ball in hand spread evenly around the outside of the box. The players on the inside run to a player on the outside and call for the ball while standing approximately 5 yards away. A point is scored by volleying the ball back to the player and her catching it before the ball hits the ground. Practice this drill with left foot, right foot, side foot and laces volley.
Volleying on Goal
Practice volleying on goal by standing on the penalty spot, with a feeder 5 yards either side. The feeders throw underarm and practice volleying on goal past a goalkeeper. Volley with your left foot on balls coming from the left, and use your right foot to volley ball’s that are coming at you from the right side. Not allowing the ball to come across your body will give a defender less chance to intercept the ball or block the shot. Progress the difficulty by having the feeders go an extra 10-20yards out wide and cross the ball in for you to volley. Practice with both feet, side foot, laces and side on volleying technique on goal.
Volley to Win
Play 3 on 3 in a 20 yard box, this game is designed to develop volleyed passing ability and movement off the ball. Team A is attacking one goal line, and team B going the other way. The player holding the ball is not allowed to move. The team advances the ball when the ball is thrown to another player who must volley a pass to the third player who must catch it. The ball hitting a ground results in a turnover. A point is scored when the ball is caught on the opposition goal line. Defenders can stand next to attackers, but may not intercept or tackle to reward volleying. Turnovers come from balls hitting the ground.
