Soccer Game Tips

How to Perform a Proper Take-Over in Soccer

soccer-takeover A take-over is a simple run that is very effective. Performing a take-over correctly can get you out of tight spaces on the field and can possibly give you an open shot.

When to Perform a Take-Over

There are two key situations in a soccer when it’s beneficial to perform a take-over: 1.) When you can’t get behind your defender and your teammate with the ball is within 10 yards or closer to you and 2.) When your teammate is dribbling at you.

When you can’t get behind your defender for your first run and your teammate with the ball is within 10 yards or closer to you, then you need to make a second run, a take-over.

When your teammate is dribbling at you, standing still does you no good. Running away puts your back to your teammate, and back peddling is just too slow. The only other option is to make a take-over run, running behind your teammate.

How to Perform a Take-Over

There are three key components to performing a take-over.

First, communication is crucial. The player performing the take-over run must say TAKE if he/she wants to take the ball off their teammates foot, and must say “TAKE” right before he/she wants to take the ball from his/her teammate.

After hearing the the word take, the player dribbling the ball must not touch the ball again. If the player performing the take-over run does not say anything, then the teammate dribbling the soccer ball keeps dribbling.

Second, the player performing the take-over run must run behind his/her teammate with the ball. Running behind your teammate allows you perform the take-over.

Third, the player dribbling the ball must carry it on the outside of his/her foot away from his/her goal.

This way the player dribbling the ball will be able to protect it from the defender by using his shoulder and forearm to hold off the defender. The defender has to go through the whole body of the player dribbling the ball.

A Simple Rule for Better Soccer: Communicate the “Right of Way”

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There is a simple rule in soccer that can help your team either start an attack or shore up a possible risky play.

The rule that must be followed is relatively simple.

When two players on the same team are going at the ball from opposite directions, the player going forward always has the right of way for the ball.

This play still requires communication by the player going forward to call for the ball so there is no confusion.

How can this rule start an attack?

With the player going forward having the right of way for the ball, he or she can see the field in front of them.

Additionally, this player can make a forward pass to start a possible counter attack or just keep possession to start an attack.

If you are close to goal and within shooting range, the player going forward can get a shot off and hopefully score a goal.

How can this rule shore up a possibly risky play?

In your defensive half, it is not a good idea to dribble backwards.

The attacking player could take it off the defender’s foot; the defender could make a bad pass back.

In addition, everyone has seen the play where two defenders both look at the ball and then at each other expecting the other player to get the ball while an offensive player gets there first due to this hesitation.

The risky play could all be avoided by having the player going forward having the right of way for the ball.

Hopefully you now see how this one simple rule of always having the player moving forward as the one with the “right of way” can help your team in both defense and attack.

As with so many aspects of soccer, communication is crucial for this rule, so make sure you get comfortable calling for the ball and deferring to your opponent when he or she does so.

How to Head Better: Basics of Proper Heading in Soccer

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Heading.

In soccer this is a term that often gets a bad reputation.

I believe that for the most part players and parents worry about heading because players have not learned how to do it properly.

Indeed, heading is a lost art in youth games.

Safety Risks of Heading in Youth Soccer

Kids do not want to head the ball because it can hurt and coaches do not want to teach heading because kids can get hurt by knocking heads.

However, more research is coming out that links repeated heading (especially when done improperly) to long-term cognitive damage.

So first of all, we strongly support any safety measures that limit or forbid heading in youth soccer, and it’s likely that more of these regulations will be put into place in the coming years.

Be sure to check with your coaches and local soccer organizations for any applicable policies or recommendations before working on heading, especially for younger players.

For US club soccer, a new concussion initiative spearheaded in 2016 released new rules that prohibit heading in U-11 and younger (both practices and games), and limited heading in U-12 and U-13.

But as you get older and as long as you learn the right technique, heading is a fundamental soccer skill that can elevate your game to a higher level.

This post will walk you through the basics of how to head the soccer ball correctly and without pain so you can win more challenges in the air.

How to Head a Soccer Ball and Win Aerial Challenges

1.) First, jump first and keep your arms out and bent at a 90 degree angle to protect yourself (do not swing your elbows).

Brian Jaworski, head coach at Grinnell College, has always preached jumping first. This will allow you to win the ball at its highest point.

Also, keeping your arms bent at 90 degrees gives you space to head win the header.

And by having your arms out, you might get an extra boost from your opponent.

You might be boosted higher into the air or just simply kept up in the air a little longer by your opponent jumping into the bottom of your elbows.

This will give you an advantage and ultimately help you win the header.

2.) Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut.

You want to keep your eyes open so you can see where the soccer ball is coming in and where you are going to head it.

Keeping your mouth shut prevents you from biting your tongue, which can be fairly common during jumping and heading.

3.) Contact the soccer ball at your hairline ( the spot where your forehead meets the beginning of your hair.)

Heading the soccer ball in the correct spot gives you the most control.

If you head the soccer ball below your hairline, then there is a chance of the ball hitting you in the face.

If you head the soccer ball above your hairline, then it will just hurt.

4.) Use your whole upper body when making contact with the soccer ball.

You do not want to bend at the neck. You want to attack the the soccer ball, bend at the waist, and push your head forward when making contact with the ball.

Remember, do not bend at the neck!

And don’t let the ball hit you. That will hurt.

You must attack the soccer ball, because if you don’t, a defender will beat you to it and you won’t have the most control and power.

Simply put, heading is not a skill that you want to do improperly, so it’s crucial to learn proper technique so not only do you improve your game, but you also stay safe too.

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Improving your 50-50 Challenges in Soccer (and 60-40 and 40-60)

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During a soccer game, there are a variety of different types of challenges we make when going after a loose ball, including 50-50, 60-40, and 40-60 challenges.

50/50 challenges are when you and a player from the opposing team arrive at the soccer ball at the same time.

Each player has a 50 percent chance of winning the ball, hence the name.

60/40 challenges are when you are going to get to the ball first, and 40/60 challenges are when the opposing player is going to get there first.

How to Win 50-50 Balls (and more)

When going after 50-50 balls, you want to play sure that you are well balanced so that you have a better chance at winning the next ball.

Some coaches harp on winning the initial 50-50 challenge and other coaches look at how many second challenges (the ball or challenge right after the 50/50 challenge) are won.

For 60-40 challenges, it’s a given that you’re going to be the person that gets to the soccer ball first. There are two ways you can win this challenge. First, you can just simply push the ball into a space where the defender will not be able to get to it.

The second method is a little more complicated. If you notice that the defender is off-balance and about to lunge in on the tackle, then you can hold off on winning initial challenge and actually let the opposing player win the challenge.

You just need to set up a block tackle so that the opposing player kicks the soccer ball into your block tackle.

The key is the angle of your block tackle. You want to make sure that when the opposing player kicks the ball into your block tackle, and then you know what direction the ball is going to bounce. This second way to win 60/40 challenges takes practice and also the right situation.

Finally, with 40/60 challenges the opposing player will get to the soccer ball first. So you need to set up a block tackle when you believe the opposing player is going to try and direct the soccer ball. You want your foot to be like a wall so that the ball bounces favorable in your direction.

Remember that if you set up a block tackle too far away, then there is a good chance that you may redirect the soccer ball back into the opposing player causing the ball to bounce off him and go behind you.

Try to keep these ideas in mind the next time you are going after a loose ball. Do you have any other tips for 50-50, 60-40, 40-60, or any other type of soccer challenge?

The Block Tackling Method in Soccer: Keys and Principles

By Parker & Walsh 1 Comment

soccer-defending-block-tackle There are a couple of ways to tackle in soccer, and each carry different advantages.

One method is called block tackling as described in the the excellent book Soccer: How to Play the Game: The Official Manual of the United States Soccer Federation.

Block tackling is just like it sounds: you place your foot in front of the soccer ball to “block” the ball from going forward. Your foot should be acting like a wall.

There are a few key components to block tackling. The method is similar to the way you perform a push pass or a pass with the instep. You want to use the instep of your tackling foot by opening up your hips, your toe should be slightly pointed up, and your ankle locked.

In block tackling, you want your tackling foot to make contact with the soccer ball slightly above the center of the ball so you will force the momentum of the tackle into the ground allowing the ball to stay in front of you and not hurt your leg.

One key difference in block tackling and performing a push pass, though, is how you finish the skill. When performing a push pass, you swing through the center half of the ball and show your heel, whereas when performing a block tackle, you DO NOT SWING through the soccer ball.

If you swing through the soccer ball in a block tackle, you run the risk of pulling a muscle, hurting your ankle, knee, or even breaking your leg. Instead of swinging, you just want to block the soccer ball from traveling forward.

Another key component in block tackling is keeping your weight behind the ball and your shoulders slightly leaning forward so that you are well balanced. If you lean too far forward, then you be too top-heavy and fall forward over the soccer ball, losing the tackle.

If you are too far back, then you will most likely win the first challenge but you will be on your heels not allow you to win the second challenge.

These are the basics of block tackling. Stay tuned for our next post on different types of challenges, including 50/50 and 60/40 challenges. As always, leave us a comment if this tip was helpful or if you have any additional questions.

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1v1 Soccer Defending: Key Principles of Individual Defense

By Parker & Walsh 2 Comments

In soccer, defending is a team concept. When you’re defending, your entire team, not just the defenders, is working together by communicating and staying compact in order to protect the goal.

If just one player is not doing his or her job, your team can suffer a breakdown. This is why 1v1 or individual defending is so important.

Everyone on the soccer field must be able to defend and understand the principles of defense, including pressure, containment and ball-or-man.

Applying Pressure

Applying pressure happens right after your team loses the soccer ball. There are two key points when applying pressure.

The first point is that you must not over-commit. Most commonly, players overrun the play because they are too eager to win the soccer ball back, but this mistake will expose your team.

Instead, you must break down into a good athletic stance making sure you are on the balls of your feet so you can move and cut quickly.

The second point is that you must force the attacking player to put his or her head down.

You achieve this by applying enough defensive pressure on the player with the soccer ball.

If you do not apply enough pressure, the attacking player will be able to see options and complete a pass more easily than if his or her head were down.

Containing the Attacker

After applying pressure, you must contain or delay the attacking player. You want to force the attacking player into an area where you have defensive cover.

It’s important to understand that you yourself do not always have to win the soccer ball.

You just want cause the attacker to run into another defensive player or to play the ball backwards. If the attacking player plays the ball backwards, then your team will gain ground offensively without even touching the ball.

However, you should be cautious when coming forward because the offensive team is often trying to spread you and your team out. You must move forward as a unit and to stay compact.

Ball-or-Man

The last defensive principle is ball-or-man but never both. This principle applies to certain situations in the game.

For example, when attacking players perform a give-and-go in a dangerous area of the field, then you do not want the attacking player to get on the end of the give-and-go.

You should turn your body to run for the ball and also get in the path of the attacking player.

The best result is that you intercept the pass. If you do not intercept the pass, then you can at least get in the path of the attack player to slow him/her down.

You may receive a caution for not playing the ball.

There are other situations during a game where this principle can come into play, such as when the other team is on a counter-attack, when you are the last defender (WARNING: a foul here may result in a red card), when you do not have proper cover from your secondary defender.

Remember this principle should only be used in certain situations and that you can receive a caution for using it. It should be used sparingly and always with caution.

The Importance of Receiving the Ball Across Your Body

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receive-ball Soccer coaches often encourage their players receive the ball across their body. Some even demand it. When I was younger, for one, my coach Brian Jaworski told me that if I watched the English Premier League (EPL), I would see that all the best players receive the ball across their body.

I do watch the EPL a lot, and I’ve noticed that just about everyone receives the ball across their body, not just the best players. This post will explain a little about why this is such an important part of the game for both players in the center of the field and on the wings.

For players who receive the ball in the center of the field, like center midfielders, receiving the ball across your body is crucial for changing the point of attack.

In order to change the point of attack, you must be able to open your hips, allowing the ball to come all the way across your body and enabling you to see the other side of the field. This allows you to switch the ball to the other side of the field before the defense shifts or gives you new options and passing lanes because of the shifting defense. Either way you will be manipulating the defense in your favor.

For players that play on the outside of the field, (outside-mids, wingers, or outside backs), receiving the ball across your body keeps you balanced and able to quickly attack the middle of the field.

When players on the outside of the field allow the ball to come across their body, they stay balanced by receiving the ball with the inside of the foot. If you try to trap the ball with the outside of your front foot, however, you will either be reaching for the ball, making you off balance, showing your defender the ball, or both.

When properly receiving the ball across your body on the flanks, you will be able to attack the middle of the field opening up room for overlapping runs. Also, by cutting into the middle of the field, players will get defenders on their back making it difficult for the defensive player to get the ball and get back into a good defensive position.

Hopefully, by attacking the middle, you will be able to come across the field and get a shot off.

How to Get Open on Corner Kicks with Separation

By Parker & Walsh 1 Comment

Corner kicks are extremely important in the game of soccer.

In European club leagues, there are about 5-5.5 corners taken per team per game, and in your 0wn games there may be significantly more.

Since corner kicks happen so frequently, you must take advantage of every opportunity you get.

Getting Open for a Corner or Set Piece (and Generate a Chance)

One great way to improve offensively on corner kicks is learning how to get separation, which is crucial in getting your head (or foot, or chest) on the ball and sending it into the goal.

You do not need much separation at all to score a goal. You just need enough space to get your head in front of your opponent’s.

The key to getting separation is being able to get your defender off balance.

The best way to put your defender on his or her heels and off balance is the V-Cut.

This move is very simple: take a step at a 45 degree angle one way and then make an explosive step the other way.

For example, if you want to make your move to the near post, then you must take your first step at a 45 degree angle to the back post.

Once your defender starts to take a step into the direction you first moved, you have succeeded in getting him or her off balance.

Now you make an explosive step with the same foot towards the near post leaving your defender in the dust.

Your V-Cut should create enough separation to free you up to send the corner kick home with a header or volley.

We hope this tip is helpful for getting open on corners and the method works well for other set pieces as well that involve you getting into the box with your runs.

Doing the Little Things in Soccer

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In sports you may have heard coaches saying that a particular player “does all the little things correctly.”

It’s a nice sounding phrase, but not very specific. What, exactly, are these little things the coach is talking about?

In soccer, there are all kinds of “little things” you can do.

Just because they are referred to as “little” does not mean that they are not important.

On the contrary, these maneuvers and tactics help you stand out as a player and also have a positive effect on your teammates.

The little things include things like staying on your toes (having a bounce in your step)

passing the ball and not just kicking

being courteous when passing to your teammates by using appropriate pace and direction so your teammate can receive it

cushioning the ball and not letting it hit your foot

using the correct technique to pass the ball every time

telling your teammate “man on,” “turn,” which way to force the ball, or if there is player moving into their zone by saying “right “or “left shoulder”

winning 50/50 balls

making the right passes

jumping first to win balls in the air

This is by no means a complete list, and by this point, you should understand that making a conscious effort in just about any aspect of soccer can be considered “doing the little things.”

When you train, no matter if it’s in your backyard, at a high school practice, at academy practice or indoors, you must concentrate on doing these little things correctly.

I believe that doing the little things correctly can take you a long way.

These techniques are often minor, but if you cannot do the little things the right way, then how are you supposed to do big things correctly?

These “little things” come into play in crucial moments of a soccer game.

For example, pretend the game is on the line and you need to complete a final pass to your teammate who’s in position to score the goal that will win you the game.

In order for the ball to get there and even give your team a chance at winning you must first use correct form to pass the ball and use the right pace: two of the “little things” we’re talking about.

These tips may be “little,” but when applied in a game situation they become vitally important.

Be sure to take care of the little things, and the “big things,” for both you and your team, will follow.

Tips for Being an Effective Soccer Player

By Parker & Walsh 3 Comments

soccer chest trap Soccer coaches look for players who are effective, but this isn’t a neatly defined concept.

There are many ways to be effective on the soccer pitch, ranging from not giving the ball away, to playing simple, to completing 90% of your passes, to winning 50/50 balls and knowing your own skill set.

I believe that not giving the ball away and playing simple go hand in hand.

If you are not giving the ball away, then you are most likely playing simple or vice versa.

Soccer is a simple game, but it can be very difficult to play this way.

For inspiration, watch Barcelona or the Spanish national team during their 2010 World Cup triumph.

They play 2-touch with moments of 1-touch sprinkled into their play. Some described Spain’s play as boring, but this style of play won them soccer’s greatest honor.

Teams like Barca and Spain are just looking for the right time to attack and are constantly keeping the ball moving.

Why is Playing Simple Important?

It’s true that great things can often come from simple play, and trying to do too much at once usually leads to trouble.

My advice to you is to try and emulate Barca’s and Spain’s play by playing 3-touch if you need to, 2-touch in most situations, and 1-touch if you’re able.

There will be certain situations where you might need to take more, but this is a good general rule of thumb.

Your Pass Completion Percentage

Next, you may have seen a new statistic being using: pass completion percentage.

And I’m still talking football, just not American Football! During UEFA Champions League game when a player gets substituted out, a statistic will appear to show the player’s passing completion percentage.

This statistic demonstrates that effective play is becoming more important than ever, and this is true for all levels of play.

The pass completion percentage statistic shows how accurate and effective various players are in their passing.

In general, you want this percentage to be as high as possible, ideally in the 90% range. This way it will seem like you never give the ball away.

Coaches will be able to recognize that you are completing passes and keeping possession.

A helpful hint to keep your passing completion percentage up is to play the way you are facing.

This will also help you play simple and not give the ball away.

Although there likely won’t be anyone taking these detailed stats at your games, dedicating yourself to completing a high percentage of your passes is a great goal for becoming a more efficient soccer player.

The Importance of Winning 50/50 Balls

Another important way a player can be effective is by winning 50/50 balls.

Most coaches believe that if their team wins the majority of 50/50 balls then it increases their team’s chances of winning.

It also helps your team gain momentum. If you can win the majority of the 50/50 challenges you are involved in, you are being an effective player bettering your team’s chances of winning. (We’ll have more on 50/50 ball strategy in later posts.)

Playing to Your Own Strengths and Skills

Finally, effective players know their own skill set.

For example, I am not the fastest guy in the world. So I needed to know my angles to intercept passes, receive balls, track down an opponent, and so on.

If you are a tenacious ball winner, then you win 50/50 balls. If you are good in the air, then you win all the balls in the air that are around you.

If you send in good crosses, then you need to find ways to get your crosses off.

By knowing your skill set, you are going be effective because you are not going to try something that you cannot do.

For example, if you are not very good at shooting the ball, look to make the extra pass in order to get a better shot with a higher chance of success.

All in all, these tips will help you become a more effective soccer player by helping you keep the ball, win it, and doing what you personally do best.