How to Swerve a Ball

Swerving a soccer ball serves some vital roles within the sport. A swerve can add some necessary texture to a pass to make the ball fall in behind a defender but still in front of a goalkeeper. During a free kick, swerve can bend the ball around a wall and create a great strike on goal. Swerving a soccer ball can be learned in a few simple steps by understanding the physics behind the task.

Things You'll Need

  • Soccer ball
  • Teammate
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Instructions

    • 1

      Learn to the bend the ball to the left and right. To swerve a ball to the left, you need to strike the right side of the ball. The opposite is true to swerve a ball to the right. Bend your foot at a 90-degree angle to your leg and kick the ball with the front of your foot.

    • 2

      Follow proper ball-striking technique. Swing the arm opposite your kicking leg up in the air and behind you. This creates balance throughout your strike. Get your knee over the ball and lock your ankle as you kick. If you were to hit the ball in the center and follow through directly in front of you, the ball would fly straight. If you strike the ball on its left side, it begins to spin in the air and move right.

    • 3

      Practice. Set up some cones and stand about 20 yards away from a teammate. Try to swerve passes around the cones and have them end up at the feet of your teammate.