Kicking the ball around

[Winwin2011]

"Edmond was playing football with his classsmate Keving during the PE lesson. They ran very fast and were kicking the ball around and felt pretty happy.But when Edmond was running up to kick the ball, he accidentally kicked a stone instead and fell over."

From the above context, is it natural to say " kick the ball around"? Some teachers here said that we should use "playing football" instead of "kicking football'?

Thanks.

 

[Barb_D]

If they had teams and were following all the rules, they were "playing football" but if they were just having fun and practicing and kicking the ball back and forth, then "kicking the ball around" makes perfect sense.

 

[Winwin2011]

If they had teams and were following all the rules, they were "playing football" but if they were just having fun and practicing and kicking the ball back and forth, then "kicking the ball around" makes perfect sense.

Thanks a lot Moderator Barb_D.

Is it natural to say:
1) I kick football with my father every Sunday. (just for fun)
2) I like kicking football (just for fun)

Thanks again.

 

[Barb_D]

"... a ball around..."
"... a football around..."

I like to kick a ball around with my father on Sundays.
Sometimes after school, I just go outside and kick a football around.