It is obvious to the trained eye that soccer players generally do not execute the coordinated movement of kicking the ball for maximal ball speed equally well with the dominant and nondominant foot. Research is limited in this area, therefore the purpose of this study was to investigate selected biomechanical variables which might be important in instep kicking. Because inexperienced players would exhibit a variety of mechanical differences, eighteen experienced college age soccer players were selected for the study. It was assumed that this would reduce the differences which might be seen within the group. Subjects were asked to take a two-step approach with the non-kicking foot landing on a force platform and to kick a stationary soccer ball as powerfully as possible into a netting which was draped from the ceiling. Prior to kicking, fourteen reflective markers were placed at selected anatomical landmarks. Ball speed for each of the twenty kicks (10 dominant, 10 nondominant) was measured with a Jugs Tribar Radar Gun, and the kick with the greatest speed was selected for analysis. Results found 19 of 115 variables correlated (r =.45 or greater--20.25% of explained variance) with ball velocity on the dominant side. Four of the same variables were correlated with velocity on the nondominant side. Significant differences ($p<.10$) between dominant and nondominant kicks was found in five kinematic variables with no kinetic or isokinetic variables represented. Based on the results there is an acute need for development of proper kicking mechanics for dominant and nondominant limbs from a young age. Future study may concentrate on differences between sexes, within ages, and developmental levels.
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