Have you ever watched soccer on the TV or at a stadium and been astonished at how powerful and quick the ball can go from the player’s boot to the chosen area?
It almost seems like it’s even faster on TV and you may be wondering how fast is that ball travelling? How powerful is this player’s kick?!
Luckily, we’ve created this helpful guide which is going to cover all soccer players from professional to amateur. We’re going to look at the fastest kicks that were ever noted and how fast you might be able to kick a ball.
Before we begin though, it’s important to note that there is and has never been a formal recording of the fastest kick speed or similar. Rather, analysts have used evidence of footage and made an informed judgement.
So, with that out of the way – let’s get started.
So, What Speed Can A Ball Be Kicked?
Well, the title of the fastest speed that a soccer ball was kicked goes to Brazilian footballer Ronny Heberson in a Portuguese league match for Sporting Lisbon. He recorded a crazy figure from a free kick, with a ball speed of 131.82 mph!
Not only did he manage to net this record speed, but he’d also slammed in the winner for his side in the 88th minute. Not too shabby!
How Can You Kick The Ball So Fast?
Ronny often hit the ball at wild speeds and normally this was from a long run up and sometimes a little luck, but of course you can’t deny he had spent long hours training to do it.
While it can seem great to be able to hit the ball like this, it often comes at the expense of accuracy.
However, some of the fastest kicks that were ever recorded have come from free kicks, which some people are surprised at.
You’d think that a moving ball situation with a run-up would give you more momentum than a dead ball situation.
For some players this is true, but the majority of players are able to build up enough force from a dead ball scenario and not only this, they can direct the ball where they want from a free kick which is much easier to do than try a volley.
What Are The Other Fastest Ever Kicks Recorded?
Before we give you the answer to this, let’s stick this into a bit of context using other examples of speeds.
Fastest baseball pitch: 105.1 mph
Fastest land animal: 74 mph
Fastest car: 316.11 mph
Fastest field goal: 93 mph
Fastest roller-coaster: 149 mph
Fastest bird: 242 mph
Fastest fish: 68 mph
Fastest badminton shot: 186 mph
Fastest train: 268 mph
Fastest helicopter: 351 mph
Now, let’s look at the fastest soccer kicks!
Arjen Robben (Real Madrid): 118 mph
Steve Reid (Blackburn Rovers): 117.4 mph
Ronald Koeman (Barcelona): 116.8 mph
David Hirst (Sheffield Wednesday): 114 mph
David Beckham (Manchester United): 98.2 mph
David Trezeguet (AS Monaco): 95.9 mph
Tony Yeboah (Leeds United): 95.7 mph
Zlatan Ibrahimović (Paris Saint Germain): 93.2 mph
Adriano (Inter Milan): 89.5 mph
Alan Shearer (Newcastle United): 85.8 mph
Does The Speed Of A Kick Really Matter?
It depends on how you look at it. For the top professionals, a faster strike at goal is more likely to lead to a goal if it is on target, but of course – the important part is the latter… on target.
If your kicks are super speed but completely off target, you probably won’t get very far in soccer.
The examples we’ve provided above managed to perfect both the speed of the kick, and the accuracy of the kick together.
If you’re looking to get better at striking, you should focus on your accuracy, rather than your speed or power and then move up gradually.
Remember, you always have a chance if it’s on target – but you have no chance if it is off target.
What’s The Record Speed For A Woman?
There are no records for female soccer when it comes to speed of striking the ball, however experts estimate that women can strike a ball at around 50 mph.
Experts say that women use different muscles when they strike the ball which can make a difference when it comes to the power and pace of their shot.
What’s The Record Speed For A Kid?
There are far too many variables to this question. It will depend on the ball size, the kid’s size, the kid’s age, the kid’s gender, the weather conditions etc.
However, experts give a rough estimate of between 30 mph and 40 mph, but this will differ wildly.
Ronaldo V Messi: Who Hits Faster?
Perhaps the biggest debate in soccer for the last decade or even more has been Ronaldo vs Messi and when it comes to the speed of their strike, there is no exception. We’ll look at both in more detail.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has long been debated as the greatest player in world soccer and in 2011, he was the star of a documentary known as “Take It To The Limit”.
A clip within this documentary showed Ronaldo striking a ball into a pane of glass, and it was recorded to be 80 mph.
When fans and pundits alike are weighing up the Ronaldo vs Messi debate, they often look at Ronaldo’s variety of goal scoring techniques.
He’s always had plenty of different methods in his locker including free kicks, penalties, long shots, tap ins, headers, volleys and trick shots.
Despite his talent and his world-class goal scoring arsenal, he does not hit the speed that some other players on our list have hit.
Although, this does not mean that he won’t ever hit that record because in his own words he’ll “never stop learning”.
Lionel Messi
Despite his short stature, Lionel Messi has been one of the greatest soccer players of all time consistently for years.
He’s always had comparisons with his fellow Argentine Diego Maradona, through the way he dribbles past players and scores some incredible goals.
However, Messi was more known for his technical ability and scoring goals closer to the box than going for long range efforts, although that’s not to say he hasn’t done that too!
In fact, he beats Ronaldo in the speed of his kick with a recording of 90 mph. Regardless of this fact though, the Ronaldo v Messi debate will go on, probably forever!
How Can I Increase My Soccer Striking Speed?
The best thing you can do to increase your soccer kicking speed is practice.
You don’t need to spend hours every day doing drills or running sprints, just spending 10 minutes each day practicing your skills will help you improve over time.
If you want to get faster, then focus on improving your technique. This means that you should work on things like footwork, balance, timing and accuracy.
If you’re looking to add extra power to your shot, then try training with heavier balls. These balls will require you to use more energy and therefore make your shot stronger.
If you’re looking to improve your shooting speed, then you could try using a lighter ball. However, if you’re aiming for a higher trajectory, then you may find that you lose control of the ball.
You could also try working out your body strength by lifting weights or doing cardio exercises such as running and cycling.
This will help build muscle mass which allows you to generate more force from your leg muscles.
You might also consider getting a personal trainer. They can help you develop new skills and give you an effective workout routine.
If you’re looking for a professional who can help you improve your game, then you should check out the top-rated sports trainers in London.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Way To Improve My Soccer Skills?
There are many ways that you can improve your soccer skills, but there are two main types of training that you can do; individual and team based. Individual training is when you train alone, and it’s usually done outside a group setting.
Team-based training involves you being part of a team, and it’s normally done indoors. Both forms of training are beneficial and both can be used to improve your overall skill set.
How Long Does It Take To Get Better At Soccer?
This depends on how much effort you put into your training and how often you practice. In general, most people take about 8 months to become good at any sport.
How Much Time Should I Spend Practicing Each Day?
This really depends on what kind of player you are and how committed you are to becoming better. If you have limited time available, then you’ll need to prioritize where you allocate your time.
For example, if you only have 30 minutes per day to dedicate to your soccer training, then you’ll need a plan that allows you to fit everything in.
A great way to structure your training is to break down your sessions into smaller chunks. For example, you could start off your session by warming up and stretching before moving onto technical drills.
Then, once you’ve finished all of those, you can move onto some tactical drills. Finally, you can end your session with some finishing touches.
Do I Need Any Special Equipment To Practice With?
No, not unless you want to. Most players can benefit from having a ball to practice their skills with.
However, if you want to improve your shooting technique then you’ll probably need to buy a laser target.
What Are Some Benefits Of Improving Your Soccer Skills?
The benefits of improving your soccer skills are endless. You’ll get faster and more accurate shots, you’ll become a better defender, and you’ll increase your confidence.
How Do You Join A Soccer Team?
If you’re interested in joining a soccer team, then you’ll need to look at your school or local clubs. You may need to attend soccer trials first depending on the level of interest.
Most clubs offer different levels of play so make sure that you choose one that suits your needs.
What Do I Need To Wear For Soccer?
It depends on what type of soccer you’re playing. Indoor soccer will require sneakers whereas classic soccer may need soccer cleats.
Other than this, you’ll need loose fitting shorts and a soccer shirt along with some soccer socks and shin protection.
Why Do I Need Protection To Play Soccer?
It will help to protect yourself against injuries. Injuries happen during games and they can range from minor cuts and bruises to serious injuries like broken bones.
By wearing protective gear, you reduce the risk of injury. This includes shin pads and maybe goal keeping gloves, depending on your chosen position.
What Position Should I Play In Soccer?
You should consider whether you’d prefer to play as a striker, midfielder, defender, goalkeeper, or another role.
Each of these positions has its own specific requirements and therefore each requires a slightly different approach to training.
Striker – As a striker, you’ll be expected to score goals. Therefore, it’s important that you develop explosive speed and power.
Midfielder – As a midfielder, you’ll need to possess excellent passing abilities. It’s also essential for midfielders to be able to defend effectively.
Defender – Defenders are usually tasked with protecting the goal. They must be strong enough to withstand physical challenges but light enough to run around quickly.
Goalkeeper – Goalkeepers are responsible for stopping the opposition from scoring. They must have good reflexes and concentration.
How Popular Is Soccer?
Soccer is a global sport played by people of all ages and genders. There are over 200 million registered players worldwide. In fact, there are an estimated 1 billion active players across the globe.
If you turn on the TV, you’ll likely find some soccer match on from somewhere around the world at any time of the day! It really is an all year round game.
How Much Does Playing Soccer Cost?
There are many ways to play soccer. From recreational leagues to professional teams, there are plenty of options available.
Depending on how much time you spend practicing, you could expect to pay anywhere between $20-$100 per month.
Where Can I Learn More About Soccer?
There are lots of resources available online, or you can attend your local clubs and ask around. The best thing to do is to watch as much soccer on TV and live as possible – and get yourself involved in as many games as possible!
The Bottom Line
The fastest soccer kicks are at incredible and almost incomprehensible pace, but this was through years of training and a little element of luck too.
If you’re new to soccer, you shouldn’t worry too much about the speed of your kick, but focus instead on the accuracy of your strike or your passing.
Sometimes, your position in soccer may not require you to strike the ball at crazy pace anyway, so be mindful of that too.
We hope this guide has helped clear up some of your most burning questions! Good luck with your game!
