The purpose of this study was to identify the difference in technique required to execute the Dipping Free Kick in soccer from the Instep Kick. Subjects were six experienced soccer players ranging ...from college varsity to third division professional levels. Each subject performed three successful free kicks and three maximal velocity instep kicks. Video data were analyzed for angular acceleration and angular velocity of the hip, knee and ankle of the kicking leg at the moment of ball contact. The joint angles of the trunk and hip, knee and ankle of the kicking leg at the moment of ball contact were also compared between the two types of kick. Calculated data was analyzed using a One Way Repeated Measures ANOVA and follow-up Student-Newman-Keuls tests. The statistical analysis of the angular accelerations of the hip, knee and ankle of the kicking leg at the moment of ball contact of the free kick were not significantly different from the instep kick. The statistical analysis of the angular velocity of the hip of the kicking leg at the moment of ball contact revealed no significant difference of the free kick from the instep kick. The statistical analysis of the angular velocity of the knee and ankle of the kicking leg at the moment of ball contact revealed a significant difference (p<.05) for the free kick from the instep kick. The statistical analysis of the trunk angle and hip, knee and ankle angles of the kicking leg at the moment of ball contact revealed no significant difference of the free kick from the instep kick. The results indicate no consistent difference in the technique employed to complete the free kick when compared to the instep kick. Each individual used different combinations of changes from the technique used to complete the instep to complete the dipping free kick.
School of Physical Education
