Dropkicks are a fast and effective way to put a team on a counter attack. An effective dropkick does not float high in the air, rather it is a couple feet higher than of the crossbar. It also has a lot of power behind it when using the proper technique.

The first step in taking an effective dropkick is preparation for the kick. The goalkeeper would want to stay a few steps behind the 18-yard box, to get maximum distance on the kick. The goalkeeper would want to hold the ball in the hand opposite of their preferred kicking foot. A goalkeeper who kicks with their right foot would hold the ball in their left hand, and vice versa.

The next step is the run up right before the kick. While holding the ball in the opposite hand of the kicking foot, the goalkeeper would want to rotate their body up to 45 degrees away from their target. A right footed goalkeeper would want to face between 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock on an imaginary clock. A left footed goalkeeper would want to face between 10 o'clock and 11 o'clock on an imaginary clock. This allows the goalkeeper to rotate their hips fully to get the maximum power behind the ball. The goalkeeper then wants to take steps forward to the edge of the 18-yard box while simultaneously dropping the ball from their hands. The goalkeeper needs to drop the ball from waist height and without throwing the ball in the air before kicking.

As shown in the video below, I have rotated my body within 45 degrees of where I intended to kick the ball, held the ball in front of me, and took steps forward while simultaneously dropping the ball.



The final step in the kick and the follow through. After letting the ball drop, the goalkeeper would want to start swinging their leg to be able to kick the ball right as it bounces up off the ground. It is important that the goalkeeper practices this kick to get the timing of when to kick right. It is also important not to try to kick the ball as hard as possible. Kicking the ball as hard as possible is a recipe for a goalkeeper's technique to fail. It is better to practice the technique at first and then start adding power to the kick. After contact with the ball, the goalkeeper should swing their leg completely through the ball, having the kicking foot land close to the outside of the plant foot, as shown in the video.

Following these steps and practicing this technique will allow the goalkeeper to add this skill to their arsenal. Dropkicks are important for starting a team on a counterattack and can be very useful to a team's success. A goalkeeper that can utilize this skill is both a great asset to their team as well as a major threat to the opposing team.