How to Learn to Kick a Swedish Ball in Football

The Swedish or Swedish woman’s kick is not a classic technique that requires high skill, but is capable of catching even the most experienced goalkeeper off guard. The technique received its name and distribution after the 1958 World Cup, where such a spectacular kick was performed by Brazilian footballer Didi.

What is a Swedish kick?

In football slang, the outside of the foot is called a Swede or Swede. That is where the name of the corresponding kick comes from. In other words, it is performed with the outside of the foot. This element is most often performed for technique and requires high skill.

At the same time, the Swedish player can strike with force. This is the classic technique used by the famous Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos. The main advantage of this technique is the arcuate trajectory, which is difficult to predict.

The spin given to the projectile is quite unpredictable and can easily confuse the goalkeeper. Initially, the ball flies in a curved arc, and then drops sharply downwards. This is the reason why it is very difficult to catch. The technique is complex and does not belong to the basic ones, but is often used both when hitting towards the goal line and when passing. The more skillfully it is performed, the more dangerous it becomes.

The kick with the outside of the foot looks incredibly impressive and beautiful. Thus, having mastered the technique, you can not only put the opponent’s goalkeeper in a difficult position, but also attract attention to yourself.

Run-up for a Swedish kick

Getting the right approach when you strike with the outside of your foot is key to successfully performing the move. Where the ball is located is also important. It should be slightly in front of you and slightly to the side of your striking foot.

Start your run-up from a short distance, but not behind the projectile, but to the side. Choose the side that the game projectile will spin towards. There is no point in running too far. This way, you will not be able to gather the momentum for the strike. The run-up speed should be sufficient to choose the moment.

Increase your speed and power as you approach the ball. A few quick steps are allowed. This way, you will have enough power to hit hard.

Important! The main feature of the Swede is the spin. It is this that allows you to send the ball past the obstacle or make the goalkeeper really nervous.

Positioning the supporting leg for a Swedish kick

When kicking with the outside of the foot in football, the correct position of the supporting leg plays an important role in the accuracy and power of the kick.

Here’s how to place your supporting leg:

Choose the exact spot to hit. Before you hit, decide exactly where you want to hit the ball. This will help you position your support foot correctly.
Place your supporting foot next to the ball. Your supporting foot should be placed next to the ball, slightly to the side of your kicking foot. This will help you create a stable base for your kick.
Bend your leg slightly at the knee. The leg should be slightly bent at the knee to provide more flexible movement and greater striking power.

In this case, the distance to the projectile should be somewhat greater than with a standard strike, where it is about 20 centimeters. It is highly recommended not to lift the heel, transferring the weight to the toe. This will lead to a loss of stability.

Foot contact with the ball for a Swedish kick

In order for a Swedish kick in football to work, that is, for the ball to fly in the correct arc after contact with the outside of the foot, it is necessary to hit the projectile at the correct point. In this case, it matters which leg you are working with – left or right.

You should not hit in the center, but with a slight shift to the side. If your working leg is left, then hit a little to the right of the center. When you are right-handed, the shift is, on the contrary, to the left.

The rotation force is given when the foot contacts the projectile. The further from the center of the ball you hit, the higher it will be. This does not mean that you need to move the outer part of the foot much. Why? The closer the foot is to the center, the higher the speed at which the ball will fly.

In simple terms, you need to maintain balance. Only then will you be able to send the ball with the desired spin and speed. Otherwise, the projectile will fly fast, but without much spin, and vice versa.

In this case, you need to hit the instep. To be more specific, this is the part where the slits under the lacing are located, but on the outside of the foot.

Finishing move

The Swedish kick is a technically difficult football technique. It is very important to be able to maintain a balance between power and speed. At the same time, the finishing movement really demonstrates how correctly you kick the Swedish kick.

The inertial movement of the leg does not stop after the strike, but continues. Thus, it can show how powerfully and strongly you hit the ball. If your leg stops almost immediately after the strike, it means that the strike was made quite weakly. When it rises very high, it means that your strike is really powerful.

In the first case, you will have to work on the power with which you hit the ball, as well as the place of impact. When your leg continues to move across the body quite high, you should focus on accuracy, that is, where the projectile flies after impact.

A couple of tips

Finally, a few recommendations for practicing the Swedish kick:

Do not relax your ankle. When you strike, your foot should be slightly tilted and your muscles should be as tense as possible. Otherwise, you will not be able to punch hard and powerfully.
Work on technique. When training a punch, it is extremely important to work on technique. First, hone each individual element. Once the technique is honed to automaticity, you can begin to practice strength.
Practice and training. As with any other move in football, training and practice will help you make the Swedish kick more confident and effective. Repeat the drills and practice regularly to improve this skill.

Take care of your joints. The Swedish kick requires flexibility and stress on your joints. Take care of your joints by warming up before training and not overloading them when hitting.