The point on your foot where contact is made with the ball is critical. It is very common to "toe punch" the ball with your toe. While you can probably kick the ball farther in the short run implementing this technique, soccer style kicking offers more control and increased distance (with practice).

Soccer-style kicking is a method in which the individual approaches the ball from an angle and strikes the ball with the shoe-laced portion of the foot, not the toe. If you feel your foot, you will find a big hard bone underneath your shoelaces. This is the spot where you ideally want to make contact with the football.