Check this out - all he has to do is tap it in with the right foot, but instead tries to use the outside of the left!
If your coach ever makes you use your week foot - this is why!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
The beauty of the extra pass
United States Men's National Team player Stuart Holden scored a game winner for his English Premier League team Bolton Wanderers.
Check out the unselfish play of his teammate to set up Holden for the easy finish. Good passing, movement off the ball, and communication lead to this excellent score.
Check out the unselfish play of his teammate to set up Holden for the easy finish. Good passing, movement off the ball, and communication lead to this excellent score.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Clint Dempsey - 2 goals
USA National teamer Clint Dempsey scores 2 goals vs Wigan Athletic.
http://www.fulhamfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/1011Highlights/0,,10415~2203503,00.html
http://www.fulhamfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/1011Highlights/0,,10415~2203503,00.html
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
More passing, and some passion too.
In my last post, I commented on a video with the Argentinian national team making 25 passes in a row before scoring a goal in a World Cup match.
Recently, I attended the Portland Timbers last home game at PGE Park as a second division team (they move up to MLS next season).
Here's a great view of the game winning goal by Ryan Pore, which came in the 84th minute of a 0-0 match. The finish, a diving header by Ryan Pore, came after 10 passes.
Gotta love the passion of the Timbers Army too!
Recently, I attended the Portland Timbers last home game at PGE Park as a second division team (they move up to MLS next season).
Here's a great view of the game winning goal by Ryan Pore, which came in the 84th minute of a 0-0 match. The finish, a diving header by Ryan Pore, came after 10 passes.
Gotta love the passion of the Timbers Army too!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Passing, Possession, Patience
As you can tell from my blog, I love watching soccer highlights. Most of what's out there are great shots by Wayne Rooney and Didier Drogba, or super smooth moves of Christiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. These are great, and I love scoring goals and making moves, but the majority of the game is about passing.
Check out this goal by Argentina at the 2006 World Cup:
The finish isn't too bad either! But all that space was made through the possession. They were able to stretch the defense out with patience and passing.
I will look for more of these to share soon.
Check out this goal by Argentina at the 2006 World Cup:
The finish isn't too bad either! But all that space was made through the possession. They were able to stretch the defense out with patience and passing.
I will look for more of these to share soon.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Finishing made easy - play the ball behind the defense
American Freddy Adu scored his second goal in as many games yesterday for his Greek pro team (starts at the :44 mark). The goal was a nice run and finish, but for me the set up pass made the goal. Anytime you can put the ball behind the last defender and just out of reach of the keeper, you have a chance to score.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
What type of player you want to be.
"We have a lot of people who can push the piano, very few who can play it." Stuart Webb, Director of Derby County FC, an English Premier League Team (1997).
I read this quote in an article recently and really liked the metaphor. Soccer is the ultimate sport in physical, mental, technical, and tactical senses. It is the world's most popular sport in part because anyone can play it: big or small, short or tall, fast or slow, and black, white, yellow, red or brown.
Not only that, but I have also heard soccer as described as a game for warriors and artists. Or as the quote says, players who can physically move and move things, and players who can create. Which type of player are you?
Teams definitely need warriors, those who can battle and withstand pressure, those who can run all day, and defend with tenacity. But overall, as the quote again says, there are way more of them in the game.
Remember that while artists in any field may start out with inborn talent, the best separate themselves through hard work and dedication to perfecting their skills. So if you dream of being a creator - go out and earn it. Practice your skills everyday.
I read this quote in an article recently and really liked the metaphor. Soccer is the ultimate sport in physical, mental, technical, and tactical senses. It is the world's most popular sport in part because anyone can play it: big or small, short or tall, fast or slow, and black, white, yellow, red or brown.
Not only that, but I have also heard soccer as described as a game for warriors and artists. Or as the quote says, players who can physically move and move things, and players who can create. Which type of player are you?
Teams definitely need warriors, those who can battle and withstand pressure, those who can run all day, and defend with tenacity. But overall, as the quote again says, there are way more of them in the game.
Remember that while artists in any field may start out with inborn talent, the best separate themselves through hard work and dedication to perfecting their skills. So if you dream of being a creator - go out and earn it. Practice your skills everyday.
Friday, January 15, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Keeping your knee over the ball on volleys
Coaches always tell you to keep your knee over the ball when shooting. This is hard because the harder you swing, the more likely your technique will fail, your knee will come un-bent, and the ball will go sailing over the bar.
In this clip, watch Clint Dempsey strike this volley from distance. Pay special attention to his technique from wind up to follow through. The angle starting at :37 shows the foot stays below the knee the whole time, which allows the ball to dip instead of rise.
In this clip, watch Clint Dempsey strike this volley from distance. Pay special attention to his technique from wind up to follow through. The angle starting at :37 shows the foot stays below the knee the whole time, which allows the ball to dip instead of rise.
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