How to Learn to Do a Scissor Kick in Football

The bicycle kick, also known as the “scissors kick,” is one of the most spectacular and technically difficult moves in football. This stunning skill captures the attention of fans around the world and often becomes the highlight of a match. Its charm lies not only in its beauty but also in its element of surprise. In our article, you’ll learn how to perform a bicycle kick—from training to execution on the pitch.

Basics of the overhead strike

An incredibly effective scissor kick is a diving kick where the ball is aimed towards the goal over oneself. The player behind it ends up on the grass, and the ball flies into the goal, disconcerting the opponents.

In this technique, the football player jumps forward with one leg and swings the other leg, leaning his body back. The leg that is used to push off rises, and the one that is used to swing falls. At the moment when the body is horizontal to the field, the ball is kicked with the pushing leg, which flies over the football player towards the goal.

For passing and taking out, use a simple overhead kick without a subsequent fall. Roll your supporting leg onto the toe, and swing your working leg and hit with the middle part of the instep. When you hit, straighten up immediately after the tilt.

Practice scissor kicking safely

Start mastering the technically complex scissor kick in football safely:

Practice your kick on the grass. Never practice on asphalt, gravel or any other surface where you could hit yourself hard if you fall. Your landing should always be cushioned.
Practice the correct grouping when falling. Your task is to learn to put your hands out to the sides. This step should be brought to automaticity. Only in this way can you avoid sharp and painful falls.
Practice with a friend. To consolidate the result, you need to practice the kick with a flying ball. You won’t be able to practice the technique with a ball lying on the ground. It is desirable that the serves are made from different directions. An alternative option is to include the technique in juggling the ball or bouncing it off a hard surface. The main thing is to remember about safety and start working with a real kick after you learn to land softly.

Mastering the bicycle kick requires a lot of patience, practice and time, but everything should be done in moderation. Don’t neglect your basic training and devote a lot of time to the technique only when your position on the field is really scoring. You don’t need to go to a lesson to devote all your time to practicing the “scissors”.

Don’t forget about physical fitness. A cross-body strike requires good balance and developed muscles. Without these components, you will never be able to strike the bicycle correctly and powerfully.

Use the overhead kick in the game

It is not enough to simply master the technique; it is necessary to apply the acquired skills in practice, that is, in real game situations:

Look for moments correctly. Never try to perform a bicycle kick unless you are sure that you can receive the ball correctly and send it over yourself. It will be especially difficult to realize the moment when your back is to the goal, and not, for example, sideways. There are many techniques and tricks that can be more useful at one time or another. If you can send the ball into the goal with one touch, go for it. Try to find moments to hit the ball over yourself and only then realize the technique. At the same time, the technique can be used to make a pass and even be more effective in many situations.
Watch out for offside. Most of the moments that are ideal for a bicycle kick occur most often in the opponents’ penalty area, when your team has the ball. Think not only about hitting the bicycle kick, but also about not being offside at the same time.
Don’t lose sight of the defenders. If you are surrounded by defenders of the opposing team, try not to try to perform a “scissors”. The technique of the strike is such that you can touch opponents and get a card for it. Avoid such situations. Only hit over yourself when you are sure that no one is covering you, there is enough time and space to maneuver.
Put all your strength into the strike. A bicycle kick will only be truly powerful and dangerous when you hit it with maximum force. It is the unexpectedness and power that makes such a strike effective. At the same time, never forget to redirect the ball into the goal. The trajectory of where it flies is of no particular importance.

In most cases, even the most experienced goalkeeper will not be able to stop a powerful and unexpected overhead kick.

Scissor kick training exercises

The incredibly spectacular overhead kick in football requires high skill, good physical preparation and practice:

Train without a ball. The technique inevitably involves landing on your back. However, it is important to do it correctly to avoid injuries. It is also very important to learn to overcome the fear of falling. Practice the bicycle kick without a ball. Simulate the kick and landing. Pay maximum attention to the latter. Always raise your head and do not extend your straight arms back.
Practice with a partner and a ball. The goal of the exercise is to learn to determine the moment when you need to hit over yourself. Without such a sense, it will be simply impossible to achieve success. Ask your partner to pass you with their hands. Develop a sense of the ball and the moment when you can perform a scissors.
Shoot at the goal. Work with a partner, but now it is better to serve the crosses with your feet. Practice until you can score at least 5 times.

Three seemingly simple exercises will help you master one of the most difficult kicks in football.

Tips for overhead kicks in soccer

In football, the bicycle kick is one of the most difficult football moves. If you intend to master it, remember a few key points:

You will indeed fall a lot. That is the technique. It is impossible to avoid falls both in training and in a real match. Learn to minimize the risks. Do not fall straight on your back. Try to land on your side. Also, do not extend your arms straight back.
You will be training in pairs. Your partner must be an experienced football player. It is also extremely important that these training sessions are supervised by a qualified trainer. Performing “scissors” is associated with a high risk of injury and is intended for professional football players.

When it comes to amateur football, it is always better to practice with experienced teammates. If you are not going to become a professional and are not ready to fall, practice the no-fall option. However, as mentioned above, it is less effective in scoring.