By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.
Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter. Today’s featured activity works on takeovers and getting to goal.
Start with a center midfielder with some balls just 30-40 yards from goal. A target player is at the top of the D with a defender marking him. There is a player out wide and a keeper in goal.
The midfielder plays a ball into the target player.
As the ball is played toward the target player the wide player starts a run across the field toward the target player
The target player makes the decision on whether to leave the ball for the runner to takeover or, to keep the ball and use the runner as a dummy. The runner reads the target players body position to know his intent. If the target player keeps his body closed (which means he stays side on to the defender) then the target player is going to keep the ball
On the other hand, if the target player opens up his body (putting his back to the defender so the ball is fully exposed to the runner) it means he expects the runner to take the ball
The target player makes the decision based on his read of the defender.
Getting players used to reading the body position of their teammates (and opponents) will make for a much more effective team with better communication (remember, communication does NOT have to be verbal).
Have a great day!
Lawrence
By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.
