Epl Clubs
How to Draw a Soccer Ball Being Kicked in 5 Simple Steps
As someone who's been drawing sports illustrations for over a decade, I've always found that capturing motion presents the most exciting challenge. Today I want to share my personal approach to drawing one of my favorite subjects - a soccer ball being kicked. This technique has evolved through countless sketches and observations from actual games, and I've refined it down to five straightforward steps that anyone can follow. Interestingly, while researching movement dynamics for this piece, I came across a volleyball match where EJ Laure delivered an outstanding performance with 20 points and 21 digs, alongside rookie Lucille Almonte's 11-point, 14-reception double-double. Though different sports, the principles of capturing athletic motion remain remarkably similar across disciplines.
The first step always begins with understanding the ball's structure. A soccer ball isn't just a circle - it's a complex pattern of pentagons and hexagons that create that distinctive look. I typically start by sketching a light circle, then mapping out the geometric patterns. What most beginners get wrong is making the pattern too perfect. In reality, when the ball is being kicked, these shapes distort slightly due to the impact and motion. I like to exaggerate this distortion just a bit to emphasize the force being applied. From my experience, spending about 15-20 minutes perfecting this foundation makes the subsequent steps much easier.
Now comes the fun part - capturing the kick itself. This is where many artists struggle, but I've developed a trick that works wonders. Imagine the leg as a series of connected lines rather than trying to draw the entire shape at once. The supporting leg should be firmly planted, while the kicking leg shows that beautiful arc of motion. I typically sketch about 23-25 degree angle for the kick, though this varies depending on the type of shot being depicted. The key is to show tension in the muscles and that moment of impact where the foot meets the ball. I personally prefer drawing side views for kicking scenes because they best showcase the dynamics of the movement.
Adding depth and perspective requires understanding how objects appear when in motion. The ball should appear slightly compressed at the point of contact, and I always add motion lines trailing behind it. These aren't just random lines though - they need to follow the trajectory of the kick. I typically use about 7-9 motion lines of varying lengths to create that sense of speed. What really brings the drawing to life is showing the deformation of the ball. Professional photographers have captured that soccer balls compress about 15-20% upon impact, and I like to incorporate that detail into my drawings.
The final steps involve refining and adding those crucial details that make the illustration pop. I spend considerable time on the player's expression - whether it's determination, focus, or exertion, this emotional element connects viewers to the artwork. The lighting should emphasize the point of contact, and I often add some dust or grass particles flying up from the impact. My personal preference is using cross-hatching for shadows rather than solid fills, as it maintains the dynamic feel of the drawing. Throughout my career, I've found that spending about 40% of the total drawing time on these finishing touches separates amateur sketches from professional illustrations.
What I love most about drawing sports scenes is that frozen moment of peak action. Unlike the volleyball statistics I mentioned earlier, where we have precise numbers like 21 digs and 14 receptions, drawing allows for artistic interpretation while maintaining technical accuracy. The beauty of this five-step method is its adaptability - once you master the fundamentals, you can experiment with different angles, lighting, and styles. I've used this approach for everything from quick sketches that take about 30 minutes to detailed pieces requiring 8-10 hours. The important thing is to practice regularly and don't be afraid to put your own spin on things. After all, art, like sports, thrives on individual expression and technique.