Penalty kick contact point between the instep and soccer ball while wearing spiked shoes

Abstract

The penalty kick contact point between the instep and soccer ball was examined in 36 male students who belonged to college soccer clubs. They were calssified into 3 groups according to soccer skill level (expert, intermediate, novice). The results are summarized below: 1. The contact point with the ball for the expert and intermediate groups was lower and more lateral in comparison with the novice group. 2. The angle between the long axis of the instep (P-Q line) and the ground was 39.4±9.65 degrees for the expert group. Furthermore, as skill level decreased the angle increased; 46.2±7.33 and 52.8±8.46 degrees for the intermediate and novice groups, respectively. 3. The ball point which is the intersection of the equator and midsagittal line on the ball surface, was projected at the lateral and distal part of the medial cuneiform bone for the expert and intermediate groups and the midshaft part of the second metatarsal bone for the novice group. It was concluded that specification of the contact point and angle between the instep and soccer ball will contribute to the improvement of the skills of novice soccer players.