The Foot Bounce

Articles In This Section:

· Recovery Shots

· Bounce the Ball

· Study Lines of Force

· The Two-Arm Forearm Bounce

· The One-Hand Bounce Pass

· The Foot Bounce

· Net Recovery

· Quicken Your Reactions—Here's How!

A few years ago the rules forbade striking the ball with the leg below the knee. Kicking the ball was feared. Today's rules allow a foot bounce, and good ball clubs will make occasional saves in this manner. A player caught out of position or off balance may skillfully reach out his foot to intercept the ball and bounce it into the air for a team mate to play. The instep (on top of the toes and just behind them), formed into a flat surface by depressing or extending the toes, should contact the ball in its center and administer an easy bounce or punch to the ball to lift it in an arc to a team mate. The leg should not swing forcibly, nor should the toe of the shoe strike the ball. As in any recovery shot, a hard-driven ball need be met only firmly and squarely; a softly hit ball must be given more of a bounce or punch.