Dr. Piyush Jain
Dr. Piyush Jain provides pediatric clinical guidance for developmental and neurodevelopmental concerns where appropriate.
Genesis Neurogen Blog
Child Can Run and Jump Fine but Can't Aim When Kicking a Ball
संक्षेप में: कुछ बच्चे दौड़ने और कूदने में बिलकुल ठीक होते हैं, लेकिन बॉल को किक मारते समय निशाना या दिशा सही नहीं लग पाती। यह एक अलग तरह का coordination gap हो सकता है जो सामान्य gross motor skills से अलग है। अगर यह उम्र के हिसाब से ज़्यादा समय तक बना रहे, तो motor assessment कराना सही रहेगा।
Short answer: Running and jumping use different motor patterns than aiming a kick, which needs single-leg balance, timing and visual tracking together. A child who is fine with general movement but consistently can't aim a kick in the right direction may have a specific coordination gap worth a closer look if it persists well past the usual age.
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Why kicking accurately is its own skill
Running and jumping mostly use repetitive, symmetrical movement, which many children master early and confidently. Kicking a ball toward a target is a different challenge altogether: it needs a child to balance on one leg while the other leg swings, track the ball's position with their eyes, and time the contact so the ball travels where intended. A child can be fast and energetic in every other way and still find this specific combination genuinely difficult.
What this looks like in everyday play
A child with this gap might kick with real effort and enthusiasm but send the ball sideways or just a short distance in an unintended direction, nearly every time, regardless of how many tries they get. Parents from Mayur Vihar Phase 1, Pocket 4 have described their child as confidently active in every other park game, yet consistently unable to direct a kick toward a goal or a friend even with encouragement and practice. This specific, persistent pattern — rather than one-off misses — is what's worth paying attention to.
What can help, and when to check further
Practising balance on one leg, and starting with a stationary ball rather than a rolling one, can help build the components separately before combining them. If the inaccuracy stays consistent well past the age when peers manage it, alongside other coordination differences, a gross motor assessment can look at balance, timing and visual-motor coordination together — see our note on occupational therapy for children if fine motor coordination is also a concern.
Book a motor coordination assessment for your child with our motor skills team. Call 7481909090 or message us on WhatsApp to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can most children kick a ball toward a target reasonably well?
Many children manage a reasonably directed kick by around 4-5 years, though real accuracy continues improving through the early school years.
Why would a child be fine at running but struggle specifically with kicking?
Kicking combines single-leg balance, visual tracking and timing in a way running doesn't require, so it's a genuinely separate skill that can lag even when overall activity level is high.
What simple practice can help at home?
Starting with a stationary ball, practising balance on one leg separately, and short, low-pressure attempts at a close target can help build the skill gradually.
When should this be assessed by a professional?
If the inaccuracy is still consistent well past the age when most peers manage it, or comes with other coordination difficulties, a gross motor assessment is worth considering.
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Meet the doctors
Useful context about the Genesis Neurogen doctors, so you can understand the wider clinical practice while reading this article.
Dr. Radha Jain
Dr. Radha Jain is the Senior Consultant Gynecologist & Obstetrician within the wider Genesis Neurogen clinical practice. Her women’s-health services are detailed on the main Genesis Neurogen Delhi website.
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