Translation guide
A kick where the player strikes the ball while it is above their head, often while jumping or falling backward. In Japanese, this is primarily a soccer term, but can also appear in martial arts or general descriptions.
The most common meaning: a soccer move where a player kicks the ball while it is above their head, usually with their body off the ground.
The direct loanword from English, widely understood in soccer contexts. This is the most common term.
彼はオーバーヘッドキックでゴールを決めた。
He scored a goal with an overhead kick.
Literally 'bicycle kick', this is also very common and often used interchangeably with オーバーヘッドキック. Some may distinguish it as a kick where both feet leave the ground and the body is horizontal.
バイシクルキックはサッカーで最も華麗なシュートの一つだ。
The bicycle kick is one of the most spectacular shots in soccer.
Shortened form, used in casual soccer talk. Less precise but understood in context.
あのオーバーヘッド、すごかったね。
That overhead kick was amazing, wasn't it?
A kick where the leg is raised high and strikes downward, often seen in taekwondo, capoeira, or pro wrestling.
Literally 'high-level kick', used in karate and other martial arts for a kick aimed at the head. Not exactly 'overhead' but the closest standard term.
空手の試合で上段蹴りが決まった。
A high kick landed in the karate match.
Literally 'heel drop', an axe kick where the heel is brought down from above. Common in pro wrestling and some martial arts.
プロレスでかかと落としはよく使われる技だ。
The axe kick is a commonly used move in pro wrestling.
Describing the physical action of kicking something above one's head, not necessarily in sports.
Literally 'kick above the head'. A natural way to describe the action without sports jargon.
彼はボールを頭上で蹴って遊んでいた。
He was playing by kicking the ball overhead.
Means 'kick at a high position'. More vague but understandable.
高い位置で蹴るのは難しい。
It's difficult to kick at a high position.
Sometimes used in combat sports commentary, but it's a direct loan and may sound like soccer terminology.
彼はオーバーヘッドキックのような蹴りを放った。
He threw a kick like an overhead kick.