There are lots of skills and techniques that are necessary for soccer players to learn. One of the more complex skills that players need to develop is a volley.
But what is a volley in soccer? Can you score from a volley? And are volleys difficult to execute? We answer these questions and more below as we explain everything you need to know about this unique soccer skill.
Is a volley a type of shot in soccer?
A volley in soccer is when you make a connection with the ball when it is in the air. The ball has either been passed to you by your teammate, or it has bounced off an opponent, and instead of letting it bounce, you play the ball ‘on the volley.’ You can either shoot or pass a volley, depending on where you are on the soccer field.
Can you score a volley in soccer?
Yes, it’s perfectly possible to score from a volley in soccer. The only thing to remember is that it’s much more difficult to score a volley, as it’s not as easy to keep the ball under control.
After all, when the ball is traveling towards you at speed, you need to adjust your body accordingly to hit it on the volley. If you lean back too much and fail to get your head over the ball, it will almost certainly fly over the ball.
One of the finest goals ever scored in the Champions League final was a volley by Zinedine Zidane in the final at Hampden, Scotland. The ball arrived at Zidane on the edge of the box, and he looped it over the Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper.
If you haven’t seen it, we couldn’t recommend it highly enough. It’s the perfect example of a volley goal scored by one of the finest midfield players of all time.
Can a volley be a defensive skill?
While volleys are often regarded as an offensive skill and something that forwards need to work on, they can also be an effective skill for defenders to master. After all, if the ball is flying into your penalty area, it’s helpful for defenders to be able to control a volley and clear the ball away from danger.
Defenders don’t need to exert as much control over volleys as attacking players, as the primary objective is to clear the ball, not direct it towards the goal. Some defenders even direct volleys out of play so their teammates can regroup and reset themselves to defend the set play.
The bottom line is that volleys can be useful in both boxes. If you can master the skill of kicking the ball when it’s in mid-air, you increase your chances at each end of the field, whether you’re attacking or defending.
Is the goalkeeper allowed to volley the ball?
Although most modern goalkeepers opt to roll the ball on the floor and pass it to their teammates, they’re also permitted to volley the ball out of their hands if they choose to. This is often known as a dropkick in soccer, and the keeper can play the ball long, directly to the attackers.
If the ball comes directly into the penalty area, the goalkeeper is allowed to volley it without catching it first, but it’s undoubtedly risky. If they mistime the volley, the soccer ball could end up in the net behind them.
As such, it’s much better for goalkeepers to catch the ball first before executing a dropkick out to their teammates. After all, it could be pretty embarrassing and damaging for the team if a goalkeeper mistimes a volley!
What is a half volley in soccer?
A half volley in soccer is when the ball bounces before it arrives at a player’s feet. So, instead of hitting the ball immediately from the air, a half volley sees the ball bounce, making it easier to control.
Just like full volleys, half volleys are ideal skills for defenders and attackers alike. When the ball is bouncing in either penalty area, executing a half volley is a great way to either clear the danger or send the ball the way of the opposing goalkeeper.
Although slightly easier to execute than full volleys, half volleys still require a fair amount of skill to get right, and practice on the training field is essential!
Is a bicycle kick the same as a volley?
Bicycle kicks are the same as volleys, but they’re even more difficult to execute. To perform a bicycle kick, a player has his or her back to the goal before kicking the ball over their head towards the goal.
While it’s technically a volley, scoring a bicycle kick isn’t something that you see very often and is a notable achievement when it comes off.
Gareth Bale scored a memorable bicycle kick in the Champions League final against Liverpool in 2018, rivaling Zinedine Zidane as one of the best goals scored in the competition’s history.
Is a volley in soccer easy to execute?
As mentioned throughout, a volley isn’t easy to execute. In fact, it’s a skill that requires a fair amount of practice out on the training field, as it’s much more difficult to control a moving ball than one that is stationary.
While a half volley is a little easier than a full volley, they both require close attention and practice. If you’re going to score a volley in soccer, you need to control the ball to perfection while guiding it past the goalkeeper.
Equally, to clear the ball from danger via a volley, you need to watch the ball closely and make sure you get a good connection. If you mistime a volley, you could end up with a red face as the ball nestles in the back of the net!
Recap: A volley in soccer explained
Although they’re a relatively tough skill to master, volleys in soccer occur in every match. However, when a volley sails into the back of the net, everyone sits up and takes notice, as it’s an incredible feat when it comes off.
If you’re hoping to improve your volleying skills, make sure you focus on your technique and keep your eyes on the ball. Ultimately, the more you practice, the better at volleying the soccer ball you will become.