The best footballers are calm on the ball under pressure. On the contrary most youth soccer is fast, but no possession. Instead players either freak out and just kick it or they make the wrong choice in who to pass to. When watching the Dallas Cup I only saw a few games where players keep the ball by making good decisions and accurate passes. For quality soccer to happen all the players on a team have to be comfortable with the ball.
High level players are calm on the ball
Watch the video below of FC Dallas U19 vs Costa Rican side Alajuelense
Tell me what you think of the movement on and off the ball…
The players are confident, technical, naturally understand and are well trained.
Most club soccer in America and other parts of the world are not high level.
Go watch a U16 ECNL game for instance and most of the teams can’t make 4 passes in a row very often. It’s 2 passes and lose the ball.
Games that look slower are higher level because their touch is so good that the other team won’t apply pressure until they pass the half line.
Why the defense does not pressure
The reason teams don’t put high pressure is because when playing against a high level team you have to keep your players behind the ball.
If you pressure them in the middle third, they will pass around you and score more goals.
A well coached team who’s playing against a technical squad knows that it’s better to stay compact vs being spread out.
The ability to pass with precision
When it comes to good passing team you’ll notice that the whole team is technically solid.
There are good teams and great ones… A full squad is what makes the difference.
Most “good teams” have 2-3 special players, but then the same amount who are lacking quality on the ball.
One of the most important things is how the foot connects with the ball…
Most players just kick the ball and end up connecting where the air pockets of the boot are. You need to connect where the bones of the feet are.
What bone of the foot all depends on which pass you make… There are different ways to pass and most players are not told the exact parts of the foot to use.
Then there’s how a player deals with pressure…
Do you freak out and just kick it or do you stay calm on the ball and make the right decision on where or who to pass to.
“Training has to be purposeful week in and out.”
How to train to be technical
Do you have the mindset to practice the same things over and over?
This is what it takes to become great at something.
3 things you must do:
- First touch / trapping – unopposed
- Passing short [5-10 yards] – unopposed
- Opposed training – rondos, 2v1’s, 2v2′, 4v4 possession and going to goal drills.
Being calm on the ball spreads
A players personality matters more than you think in this situation…
Some people aren’t shaken, while others feel it yet keep their feelings under control…
Then there are those who can’t handle the pressure and just kick the ball. It doesn’t mean that because a kid gets nervous that they will stay like that.
Everyone develops at different stages. Some are smooth and confident at age 9, while others don’t become that way till high school.
Natural vs learning
Everyone develops at different stages.
Some are smooth and confident at age 9, while others don’t become that way till high school [14-17].
The key is that you are in an environment where you can continue to learn and be encouraged not discouraged.
Being patient is vital… I like to tell the story of Michael Jordan who didn’t make the varsity team his Sophomore year.
Or these other 20+ top pros who weren’t great in HS.
Everyone has to learn certain elements of the game, but some naturally pick it up sooner.
Don’t compare yourselves in an unhealthy way where you dwell on what brings you down emotionally.
Focus on your own work and think positive.
Most popular blog posts:
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- First touch drills
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