A bicycle kick is an acrobatic technique in which a player leaps into the air, throws both legs upward in a pedaling motion, and strikes the ball backward over their own head while falling. Also known as an overhead kick or, in South America, the “chilena,” it is one of soccer’s most spectacular skills. It is entirely legal under the Laws of the Game, and a goal scored this way counts exactly like any other, provided no other offence occurs.
How the bicycle kick works
The move is used when the ball arrives above waist or head height and the player has their back to goal, making a normal shot impossible. Instead of turning, the player jumps off one foot, tilts their body backward, and swings both legs up. The striking leg whips over the top to meet the ball, sending it back over the head toward goal, while the player twists to land safely on their back, shoulders, or arms.
The pedaling motion of the legs, one swinging down as the other swings up, gives the kick its name. Timing is everything: the player must judge the flight of the ball, the height of the jump, and the moment of contact all at once, which is why the technique is so difficult to perform cleanly.
Bicycle kick, scissor kick, and overhead kick
These terms overlap but are not identical. The table below outlines the general distinctions, though usage varies between commentators and countries.
| Technique | Typical body position | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| Bicycle kick | Facing away from goal, body horizontal, legs pedaling | Shooting backward over the head |
| Scissor kick | More side-on, legs snapping past each other | Volleying a bouncing or crossed ball |
| Overhead kick | General term for striking the ball above head height | Shooting or clearing when facing away |
Is it against the rules?
There is no law prohibiting a bicycle kick. Soccer’s laws do not ban kicking the ball at height or while airborne. The only relevant restriction is the offence of playing in a dangerous manner, which occurs when an action threatens injury to someone, including the player themselves, and typically involves an opponent being close enough to be put off or endangered by a high boot.
If a defender or attacker swings a boot near an opponent’s head during a bicycle kick, the referee may stop play and award an indirect free kick for dangerous play, even though no contact was made. With space around them, however, a player is free to attempt the kick without penalty. As always, the goal must also be legal in every other respect, so an offside position or handball in the build-up would rule it out.
When players use it
A bicycle kick is a solution to a specific problem: a ball arriving at height when the player has their back to goal and no time to turn. Rather than let the chance go, the forward improvises an overhead strike. It shows up most from crosses, corners, and rebounds that drop awkwardly inside the penalty area, which is why the technique is so strongly associated with attacking players and finishing.
Defenders occasionally use a version of the same movement to clear a high ball away from danger when they cannot turn to kick it normally. In that case the priority is distance and safety rather than accuracy, and the same dangerous-play caution applies if an opponent is nearby. Goalkeepers, by contrast, would simply catch or punch such a ball with their hands inside their own area.
Why it is so admired
The bicycle kick combines difficulty, risk, and drama. The player commits to leaving their feet, cannot easily see the goal, and must generate power from an awkward position, all while preparing to land safely. Even elite professionals attempt it only occasionally, and a well-struck one is rare enough to become a highlight for years.
It is most often tried by forwards and attacking players, but the reactions and coordination it demands make it memorable regardless of who scores. Understanding where different players line up helps explain why the technique usually appears in the penalty area, where crosses and loose balls drop at awkward heights.
Practicing the technique
Coaches teach the bicycle kick with a strong emphasis on the landing first, often over soft surfaces such as sand, mats, or long grass, so players learn to protect themselves before worrying about accuracy. Players are taught to tuck the arms to cushion the fall and to roll with the landing rather than stiffening against it. Confidence in falling correctly is what separates a controlled attempt from a reckless one.
Only once the landing feels safe do players work on the timing of the jump and the point of contact, gradually adding power and direction. Because the skill can decide tight games and even complete a hat trick in dramatic fashion, it remains a prized part of a forward’s repertoire, admired by fans and players alike, and a reliable highlight whenever it comes off.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bicycle kick legal in soccer?
Yes, a bicycle kick is completely legal. There is no law against kicking the ball while airborne or above head height. It only becomes an offence if the referee judges it to endanger an opponent, which is punished as playing in a dangerous manner.
Why is it called a bicycle kick?
The name comes from the pedaling motion of the legs as the player swings them upward and over, resembling someone riding a bicycle upside down. In South America it is often called the ‘chilena,’ referencing its association with Chilean players.
What is the difference between a bicycle kick and a scissor kick?
A true bicycle kick is executed with the body roughly parallel to the ground and facing away from goal, striking the ball backward overhead. A scissor kick is usually done more sideways-on, with the legs snapping past each other, and the player is not always facing fully away from goal.
Is a bicycle kick dangerous?
It carries some risk because the player lands on their back, shoulders, or arms. Near an opponent, a high boot can be ruled dangerous play. Executed with space and a proper landing, it is a controlled if difficult skill rather than a foul.
Can you score from a bicycle kick?
Yes. Goals scored with a bicycle kick count like any other goal, provided no offence such as offside or handball occurred. Because of the difficulty and spectacle, bicycle-kick goals are among the most celebrated in the sport.
Who is famous for the bicycle kick?
The technique is strongly associated with players such as Pele and, more recently, spectacular examples in major finals. Rather than one inventor, it is a skill many forwards attempt, though few master it consistently.
