Abstract: A kicking aid (10) to be used with a shoe (12) for kicking a ball (52) includes a connecting member (18) adapted to secure the kicking aid (10) to the shoe (12) and a contacting member (14) coupled to the connecting member (18) and adapted to extend away from an instep portion (16) of the shoe (12) when the kicking aid (10) is coupled to the shoe (12). In another embodiment, the kicking aid (100) is secured to a shin guard 150, instead of a shoe (12). In either embodiment, when a person kicks the ball (52), the kicking aid (10, 100) contacts the ball (52) above the equator (58) when the shoe (12) contacts the ball (52) below the equator (58).

Abstract: An apparatus to be used with a shoe for kicking a ball includes a connecting member adapted to secure the apparatus to the shoe and a contacting member coupled to the connecting member and adapted to extend away from an instep portion of the shoe when the apparatus is coupled to the shoe. The apparatus is configured such that when a person kicks the ball, the contacting member contacts the ball above the equator when the shoe contacts the ball below the equator.

Abstract: A particularly flexible soccer goal target can be formed by using a plurality of fasteners or clips to attach together a plurality of strips of netting into a target assembly. The plurality of strips of netting are fastened or clipped together, edge to edge, to form a net assembly having sufficient width and height to extend across a substantial portion of the entrance of the soccer goal. The strips of netting, which are fastened or clipped together to form the target assembly, may be easily disconnected by unclipping them at different locations of the goal entrance to provide openings in the target assembly at different positions in the goal that will serve as targets for practice. Further, both the soccer net and flexible soccer goal may be provided at their peripheries with a plurality of spaced permanently attached cord-formed attachment means.