50/50 Balls

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

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?

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.