Keep your knees bent!

Here's your tip for the week: Keep your knee bent for control

In the previous post, you can see Clint Dempsey's wonderful strike on a volley where his knee bent all the way through his shot. Most players tend to send this type of shot sailing over the ball, and the reason - technically speaking - is that the knee extended from bent to straight.

When striking the ball on volleys, the body naturally will want that leg to extend on follow through, bringing the foot above the knee. However, you can train your body through repetition and visualization, to keep the proper technique.

While this is true for a difficult shot like Dempsey's volley, the bent knee In is crucial for almost every skill for controlling a soccer ball:
-Dribbling
-Shooting
-Passing
-Controlling

When you practice your dribbling skills, keep the ball under your knees as much as possible. This will ensure that the knee stays bent, and the ball stays close to you.