A KINETIC COMPARISON OF THE INSIDE SOCCER KICK BETWEEN HIGH PERFORMANCE PLAYER AND JUNIOR PLAYERS

Abstract

Kinetic aspect of the inside soccer kick was investigated and comparison was made between those of a high performance player and junior players. One high performance player and five junior players volunteered to participate in this study. Their kicking motions were analyzed through three-dimensional cinematograpgic technique. Joints torques, generated at hip and knee joints, were computed by a three-link kinetic chain composed of thigh, shank, and foot. A marked difference was observed for the hip external rotation torque. All the junior players exhibited hip external rotation torque, and its magnitude was particularly dominant in the latter part of leg swing. Conversely, the magnitude of hip external rotation torque for the professional player was negligible. These results may help to explain differences in kicking techniques between the two levels of players.