Pictorial Drills

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This clip illustrate one of our major drills this evening. Critical elements include the timely releases of the ball in as close to one touch as possible. Particularly pay attention to the timing of the winger's run. Enjoy the clip.

He was able to secure the goal largely 'cos of the decent first touch to receive the high lob. The touch basically set the ball up for the shot.

Space Usage - pay attention to how the Brazilian pass is laid into the wide open space to exploit the winger's speed.

Fake - opportunity to visualize a properly executed, smooth attacking fake; tough luck with the final touch.

Cut - another weapon to add to your arsenal with regard to changing direction - cut behind the other foot - going FULL speed!

Drop - My favorite. If I salute any play, it's when a striker (attacker) backing the goal is alert (and smart) enough to drop the ball into the path of the on-rushing teammate to blast through and past any goalie. Enjoy the clip.

Note in ALL cases - the prompt trap; passes hug the grass unless flight is required; the moves are required, not made to show off.

Actions courtesy FIFA U-21 2005

Watch the professionals soft-touch the ball around obstacles!  SGV United should relate some of the moves here to exercises covered at the 9/29/05 pre-KKlassic (Santa Barbara) tournament practice.

Enjoy it!  Utilize it!  Develop appreciation for balance as a critical precursor to any effective contact with the ball.

More Amazing Stuff!

Write-up

Things to watch for after extremely fast playmaker Ronaldinho won the ball beyond the halfway line:

1.                   Ronaldinho's soft touches on the ball as he ran hard at and got close to the lone defender in his path

2.                   Rubinho's explosive run from the right wing to overlap Ronaldinho to the latter's left side

3.                   The perfect timing of the release of the ball by Ronaldinho to both wrong-foot the defender and fall in Rubinho's strides for a one-time strike for goal

4.         This was a side-footed finish (like a push pass) more for accuracy than power.  Watch how the appropriate surface of the foot is fully turned to face the goal.

Check the video.

Check the video.

After a turnover was picked up by the US midfield, a pass to outside left opened up the field.  Note the pass was a grounder all the way - saves time and space.

The cross is powerfully aimed for the far post.  Good goalies cover the near post and it is generally better to go over their head for the far post.  There should be a receiver back door and in this case, there was.  Read more...

Check the video.

Women Soccer - 2-0 US even though majority of the thrill belonged to Brazil.  Both teams provide a lot of skill-improvement instructions.  Check them out...

Taking penalty kick is a responsibility that players should take seriously. 

The job is done way ahead of time; the practice is done well before game day and the delivery on game day should be done exactly as practised. 

Some players are in the habit of going straight down the middle in anticipation of goalies' tendency to commit before the kick.  However, hard work is reflected in the ability to consistently place the ball beyond the reach of even the lucky-guesser goalie.  Check it...

You honestly don't need the thighs of Brazilian Roberto Carlos to get a decent shot off

Whether you take a shot off a solo run as with Holland's Davids in the clip or you were set up for a run on shot, you can make the goalie earn his or her laurels each and every time.   Check it...

In spite of his relatively small size, Argentina's Ortega is one of the world's best dribbler/ball protectors.  In the example, Ortega holds his own against a bigger guy.

No single individual should be able to rob you of the ball without fouling you.  Check it...

Scoring opportunities often show up suddenly.  It doesn't pay to play back the game in your mind at the end of the day with regrets.

This brief video shows a well-oiled engine of a team operating with perfection to score one.  Check it...

Ensuring your team's best chance at scoring when attacking from the wings (left side or right side).

With an extremely powerful accurate shot and an undisciplined goalie, you probably can score from less than 30^o angle view of the goal; however, why risk the possibility of injury to yourself by advancing the ball selfishly when attacking from the wing?

Assess the options that increase your chance of being a part of scoring one for the team.

Another (pull out).

Most game scenarios have designated roles.  Even when you’re the designated finisher, you HAVE to be alert for better openings to ensure the team scores.