Coach's Notebook
Remember: When you're not practicing, SOMEONE ELSE IS.
Dribbling - three types:
• Speed dribble - very few touches and advance to space quickly
• Control dribble - to avoid opponent and dribble away from pressure
• Beat a player - attack defender as fast as possible, using 1-on-1 move
Passing - two ways:
• inside of foot
• outside of foot
The non-kicking foot is always pointed towards the target.
After striking the ball, always follow through to the target.
Wall pass: Pass hard to team mates' feet, team mate passes back to you, behind the defender, soft to the space
Shooting
• The non-kicking foot is always pointed towards the target.
• Always shoot wide of the keeper but not to the post.
• Accelerate when you shoot!
• Strike the ball with the instep of your foot.
• Strike the vertical center of the ball.
• Always follow through to the target!
Heading:
• The power comes from the stomach
• strike ball with forehead
• eyes always open, mouth always shut
• head wide and deep when clearing for defense
• head down when scoring
Tactics - Backup:
• The player closest to the ball must always pressure it.
• Providing backup or cover for a pressuring teammate ensures that even if he gets beaten the enemy will not be able to advance his attack.
• The player pressuring the ball is called the first defender.
• The second defender is the one providing cover by positioning himself behind the "pressurer" and slightly drifting towards the middle.
• If the first defender gets beaten, he drops back and they reverse roles.