This study was designed to compare the kicking motion between female and male soccer players to determine the mechanical and technical characteristics of the kick by female players. A motion capture system ( 250 Hz) was used to compare ball velocity, foot velocity, mean peak knee joint torques, angle of the thigh and shank, and mean thigh-to-shank energy ratio between female and male soccer players to elucidate the mechanical and technical characteristics of the kick by female players before ball impact. The values for ball velocity, foot velocity immediately before impact, mean peak knee joint torques, and mean thigh-to-shank energy ratio were smaller for the female players than for the male players (p < 0.05). (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, RMIT University