Dribbling to Beat an Opponent (Overview)

·        Controlled approach

·        Engage Defender at speed by attacking front foot

·        Timing of Move – just outside tackling radius

·        Body shape – low centre of gravity

·        Change of speed and direction

·        Cut into the space behind defender

·        Head up accelerate away

Scissors

·        Come around the ball in a clockwise direction with the right foot finishing to the right of the ball

·        Drop your shoulder as the right foot plants

·        Take the ball past your opponent with the outside of the left foot

Double Scissors

·        Come around the ball in a clockwise direction with the right foot finishing to the right of the ball

·        Plant the right foot

·        Quickly bring the left foot round the ball in an anti clock direction to finish to the left of the ball

·        Take the ball past your opponent with the outside of the right foot

Inside – Outside

·        Move the ball with the inside of your right foot to your left side

·        Lean to your left, dropping your left shoulder

·        Move your right foot quickly behind the ball so that the outside of your right foot is behind the ball

·        Take the ball forward and past your opponent with the outside of your right foot

Step Over

·        Shape to take the ball past your opponent with the inside of the right foot

·        Step round the front of the ball and plant the right foot to the side

·        Quickly take the ball past your opponent with the outside of the same foot

Roll

·        Take the ball inside your opponents tackling radius at speed

·        Drag the ball across the front of your body with the sole of the right foot

·        Take the ball past your opponent with the inside of the left foot

Swivel Hips

·        Fake to pass the ball to your right with the inside of your foot (you may need a 2^nd attacker there in order for this to be effective)

·        Draw the ball across your body with the inside of your right foot

·        Take the ball away on your left side playing it forward past your opponent with the inside of your left foot

Shoulder Drop

·        Move the ball with the inside of your right foot to your left side

·        Lean to your left, dropping your left shoulder

·        Shape to take the ball away with the outside of the right foot but step behind the ball

·        Take the ball away past your opponent with the outside of the left foot (the ball should already be heading in that direction from the initial touch)

Turning (Overview)

·        Controlled approach

·        Appropriate turn to protect or change direction

·        Bend the knees to create a platform to accelerate

·        Use the upper body to add disguise

·        Turn into space

·        Take away with the nearest surface

·        Head up accelerate away

Inside Cut

·        Take a long stride past the ball

·        Reach and cut the ball with the inside of the foot

·        Pivoting on the other foot

·        Body position should shield the ball as you cut

Outside Cut

·        Take a long stride past the ball

·        Reach and cut the ball with the outside of the foot

·        Pivoting on the other foot

·        Body position should shield the ball as you cut

Stop Turn

·        Trap the ball under the sole of the foot

·        When the ball has stopped, take this foot off the ball and plant it past the ball

·        Turn 180 degrees and quickly play the ball with the outside of the other foot

Drag Back

·        Shape to kick the ball forward but lift the foot across the top of the ball and drag it back with the sole of your foot across or behind your body

·        Quickly take the ball away from your opponent using the other foot

Cruyff

·        Shape to pass or shoot

·        Use your upper body and arms to exaggerate the motion

·        If the feint is with the right foot pivot on the left

·        The ball is flicked behind the standing pivoting leg with the inside of the right foot

·        Take the ball away with the nearest foot

Step Over

·        Shape to play the ball with the inside of the foot

·        Instead, take that foot around the front of the ball, keeping the foot low to the floor and close to the ball

·        Pivot on that foot and rotate back in towards your body to play the ball with the inside of the other foot

Drag Push

·        Shape to kick the ball forward but lift the foot across the top of the ball and drag it back behind the standing leg with the sole of your foot

·        The foot is then lifted and the ball is played into the new space with the inside of the same foot (two quick touches, solo to inside)

Running with the Ball

·        Positive first touch out of the feet

·        Select the appropriate controlling surface

·        Head up and observe situation

·        Head down when playing the ball to ensure good contact

·        Play with the laces of the foot closet to the ball

·        Fewest number of touches to cover the distance quickly

·        Run in a straight line

·        Execution of final action

Shielding

·        Body in between ball and the defender

·        Stay sideways-on to protect the ball and provide balance

·        Body weight is on the leg nearest to the defender

·        Extend your arms to feel the defender

·        Move the ball with furthest surface

·        Head up to observe available options

·        Prepare your next action

Stops and Starts – High Wave

·        The ball should be moving forward throughout with opponent on the inside of your body

·        Lift your foot in a motion as though you were about to stop or back heel the ball

·        Wave your foot from front to back over the top of the ball, using the outside foot from your opponent so that your body shape shields the ball as you expose it

·        Quickly take the ball in the same direction with the waving foot

Stops and Starts – Low Wave

·        The ball should be moving forward throughout with opponent on the inside of your body

·        Lift your foot in a motion as though you were about to cut the ball with the outside of your foot

·        Wave your foot to the side of the ball, using the outside foot from your opponent so that your body shape shields the ball as you expose it

·        Quickly take the ball in the same direction with the waving foot

Push Pass – Inside

·        Angle of approach – center

·        Supporting foot is next to the ball pointed at target

·        Head up observe your target

·        Contact ball – middle

·        Contact foot – inside

·        Ankle locked with toe pointed up

·        Follow through towards target with striking foot remaining open throughout

·        Body weight over the ball

·        Weight and accuracy of pass

·        Disguise your pass

Push Pass – Outside

·        Angle of approach – center or off center

·        Pass off the front foot

·        Supporting foot is behind the ball

·        Ankle locked with toe pointed down

·        The knee of the kicking foot is over the ball at contact

·        Contact Ball – middle

·        Contact Foot – outside

·        Disguise your pass

Low Driven Pass

·        Angle of approach – off center

·        Head up to observe target

·        Head down at the point of contact

·        Non kicking foot placed to side, slightly behind the ball

·        Ankle locked, toe down

·        Contact ball – middle above the mid line

·        Contact foot – laces (Instep)

·        Body weight forward chest and knee over the ball at contact

·        Follow through

·        Land on the striking foot

Lofted Pass

·        Angle of approach – off center

·        Head up to observe target

·        Head down at the point of contact

·        Non kicking foot placed to side, slight behind the ball

·        Ankle locked toe level to the ground

·        Contact ball – bottom

·        Contact foot – instep or upper inside

·        Body weight back with your head and chest behind the ball at contact

Swerve Pass – Outside of the foot

·        Angle of approach – center or off center

·        Head up to observe target

·        Head down at the point of contact

·        None kicking foot placed behind and to the side of the ball

·        Ankle locked toe pointed down

·        Contact ball – just inside the vertical mid line – imparting spin from inside to out

·        Contact foot – outside (little toe)

·        Striking motion is for the foot and leg to come across the center of the body, from outside to inside

·        Follow through with striking foot outside the line of the body

Swerve Pass – Inside of the foot

·        Angle of approach – wide

·        Head up to observe target

·        Head down at the point of contact

·        Non kicking foot is placed to the side of the ball slightly behind

·        Concentrate the weight on the outside of the supporting foot

·        Contact ball – just outside the vertical mid-line, imparting spin from outside to in

·        Contact foot – inside (big toe)

·        Striking motion is for the foot and leg to move away from the center of the body (from inside to outside)

·        Lean backwards away from the ball

·        Follow through is away from the body with the toe pointing slightly upwards after contact

Chip Pass

·        Angle of approach – center

·        Head up to observe target

·        Head down at the point of contact

·        Non kicking foot placed behind the ball at the point of contact

·        Contact ball – strike through the bottom of the ball

·        Contact foot – instep

·        Sole of the foot drags the ground on contact

·        Body weight upright

·        Very little follow through required

Cushion Volley

·        Assess the situation as ball travels

·        Approach is behind the flight of the ball

·        Head up to observe target

·        Head down at the point of contact

·        Select appropriate surface

·        Non kicking foot can be planted on or off the ground depending on the height of the ball

·        Contact ball – middle or above middle depending on height of initial pass

·        Contact foot – (varies) instep, inside or outside

·        Body shape is upright

·        Follow through is a short punch

Driven Shot

·        Angle of approach – off center

·        Head up to observe the position of the goalkeeper

·        Head down at the point of contact

·        Non-kicking foot placed to side, slightly behind the ball

·        Ankle locked, toe down

·        Contact ball – will vary depending on target area

·        Contact foot – laces (instep)

·        Body weight forward, chest and knee over the ball at contact

·        Follow through landing on striking foot

Side Volley Shot

·        Assess the flight of the ball

·        When time permits wait for the ball to drop lower to the ground before striking

·        Observe the position of goalkeeper

·        Light on your feet, prepare your body shape

·        Get behind the line of the ball

·        Knee of the kicking foot over the ball with toes pointing downwards

·        Short back swing – pace of the pass will provide the power

·        Contact ball – can vary depending on the flight of the ball

·        Contact foot – laces (Instep)

·        Follow through with foot coming downwards to the ground – toe still pointing downwards

·        Follow your shot in for rebounds

Half Volley Sot

·        Be light on your feet to adjust to the flight of the ball

·        Get behind or to the side of the flight

·        Strike the ball as it hits the ground and begins to rise

·        Body weight again moves forward throughout the motion

·        Contact ball – should be above the mid line

·        Contact foot – varies depending on pass and situation – Instep, inside or outside

·        Follow through is a short one to ensure good contact

·        Pace of the strike will be generated from the pass

·        Guide the ball rather than striking into the open area of the goal

Low Driven Cross

·        Angle of approach – off center

·        Head up to observe your target area

·        Head down at the point of contact

·        Non kicking foot placed to side, slight behind the ball

·        Ankle locked, toe down

·        Contact ball – middle above the mid line

·        Contact foot – laces (Instep)

·        Pull hips round to face the target at contact

·        Body weight forward chest and knee over the ball at contact

·        Follow through is controlled

·        Target area is in between the defender and the post

·        Ideal delivery stays low to the ground

High Driven Cross

·        Angle of approach – off center

·        Head up to observe your target area

·        Head down at the point of contact

·        Non kicking foot placed to side, slightly behind the ball

·        Ankle locked, toe down

·        Contact ball – middle above the mid line

·        Contact foot – laces (Instep)

·        Pull hips round to face the target at contact

·        Body weight forward chest and knee over the ball at contact

·        Follow through

·        Target area is the second six yard box across the front of goal

·        Delivery can be lifted if required for a variety of finishes

Long Lofted Cross

·        Angle of approach – wide

·        Head up to observe your target area

·        Head down at the point of contact

·        None kicking foot is positioned to the side of the ball slightly behind

·        Concentrate the weight on the outside of the supporting foot

·        Contact ball – just outside the vertical mid-line, imparting spin from outside to in

·        Contact foot – inside

·        Striking motion is for the foot and leg to move away from the center of the body (from inside to outside)

·        Lean backwards away from the ball

·        Follow through is away from the body with the toe pointing slightly upwards after contact

From the Front

·        Close down quickly

·        Angle of approach to make play predictable

·        Slow down as you approach the attacker

·        Bend the knees stay sideways on to the ball

·        Prepare for next action – delay or tackle

From Behind

·        Close down quickly as the ball travels

·        Slow down as you approach the attacker

·        Get touch tight – prevent the attacker from turning

·        Bend the knees stay sideways on to the ball

·        Mirror the attackers feet

·        Prepare for next action – delay or tackle

Moments to Tackle

·        When the attacker misplays the ball

·        When cover is present

·        When the attacker is within shooting distance

·        When the defender is within one step of the ball

·        When defender is at least even with the attacker – not behind the attacker

Poke Tackle

·        Poke the ball using the front foot (one closet the ball)

·        Lock the ankle

·        Weight is on the back foot

·        Poke the ball at an angle (diagonal)

·        Body weight forward to gain possession

Block Tackle

·        Position is side on

·        Place non-tackling foot next to the ball by stepping forward

·        Ankle locked with toe pointed up

·        Tackle with the foot moving away from the player

·        Drive through the centre of the ball

·        Tackle using your full body weight

Standing – Defensive

·        Assesses the flight of the ball

·        Body position is sideways on

·        Step into the ball

·        Lock the neck

·        Eyes open

·        Contact head – forehead above the eyebrow

·        Contact ball – bottom

·        Arch the back and shoulders pointing at target

·        Objective is distance and height – far and wide from central areas

Jumping – Defensive

·        Assess the flight of the ball

·        Time the jump to take the ball at your highest point

·        Jump off one foot

·        Attack the ball be aggressive

·        Use arms to provide balance, protection and elevation

Heading (Attacking)

·        Bend run to opposite side of the field from the direction the ball is coming

·        Attack down the line of the ball

·        Assess the flight

·        Jump from one foot (if required)

·        Step into the ball

·        Lock the neck

·        Eyes open

·        Contact Head – forehead above the eyebrow

·        Contact Ball – top

·        Arch the back and shoulders pointing at target

·        Thrust forward from the waist

·        Objective is to head the ball down

·        Know when to use power and when to use direction