The Art of the Toe Poke
As Socceristas, we pride ourselves on our footwork and finesse. But there’s one move that will always live in the back of our repertoire. It’s one of the most contentious moves in the game, but the toe poke has its time and place.
I think we can all hear our peewee coaches’ voices in our heads, “don’t kick like that. You’ll break your toe!” but after seeing Temwa Chawinga’s killer toe poke skills, it might be time to evaluate a thing or two.
How does it work?
A toe poke (toe-punt or toe-ender) is when you strike the ball with the tip of your boot rather than the laces or the sides. This makes it pretty unreliable for accuracy because the ball has less spin and more wobble, but it is a big power move. We’ve been taught all our lives to use the top or inside of the foot, but sometimes, the toe just can’t be ignored. Toe-pokes are often seen as a last resort or sometimes even mistakes, but there is a not often talked about art to them.
When to use it
Toe-pokes are all power and no aim, so it’s important to know when to use them. Obviously not a great passing tactic, but when you’ve been shut down by a keeper time and time again, it could be time to unleash the power of the toe. The unpredictable movement of a toe-poke is a blessing and a curse, while it might not go where you want it to it will keep keepers guessing. It could go up and over or it could go straight through to the back of the net, you’ll never know unless you try.
Aside from an offensive move, a toe poke can also be a good means of clearing the ball off the backline. If you can’t shake a forward with any fancy steps, try going all power and poke it up to the midline. Nothing clears a line like a poke.
It’s not pretty or predictable, but we’ve seen how it can get the job done when it comes down to it. If you’re looking for a new move to add to your arsenal, try remembering your toe the next time you’re in dire straits.
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