In this set of clips there are some tremendous assists from the #7 & #11 players and some outstanding #9 play. Watch the eye contact between players, the timing, and the runs behind the defense.
Showing posts with label skills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skills. Show all posts
Time To Get Ready For the State Cup!!
Goalkeeping: Angles
Angle play: This area alone separates the pretenders from the contenders. By simply taking up the right position you can make goalkeeping look very easy.
-- Tony DiCicco, Goalkeeper Soccer Training Manual
Here is a good quick read about Goalkeeping from JB Goalkeeping a decent resource for all things GK related.
Along with footwork and good catching skills, positioning provides the foundation of good goalkeeping. A keeper who is always in position makes it look like every shot goes right to them, because the shooter has nowhere else to put the ball. Poor positioning leaves vast areas of net for a shooter, or even an empty net.
Basic Positioning Principles
 Fig 1. The Center Line Position |
 Fig. 2 Covering the Angle |
First, to position themselves accurately, the goalkeeper must know where the goal is! It sounds obvious, but during the scramble of a game a keeper can lose track. When the play starts moving towards the goal, 
the first thing the keeper must do is check the posts to make sure they are starting off with good position. Then, whenever they can divert their attention for a split second, they should check the posts again to make sure they've maintained that good position in the face of a moving ball.
Second, the goalkeeper must always try to position themselves on an imaginary line that runs from the center of the goal to the ball (Fig. 1). This puts them in position to get to either post equally well. The center line determines the side-to-side positioning.
Third, the goalkeeper must position themselves far enough off the goal line to cover the angle created by the ball and both posts. They should be able to cover either post with a couple of quick steps (footwork!) and a dive if necessary (Fig. 2). The angle and the keeper's ability determine the forward/backward positioning. 
Many young or timid goalkeepers tend to stay very close to the goal line - sometimes right on it. They must be taught to come off the line if they are to cover any shots near the posts.
How far out a keeper must come depends on their size and ability - smaller goalkeepers or keepers with a poor range will need to come farther out to be able to cover the entire angle.
But don't forget the third dimension not represented in these pictures: height. A keeper who is far off their line is more likely to be beaten by a chip over their head, so that must also be put into the equation. The keeper must adjust the forward/backward position so that they're confident they won't be beaten easily over the top.
Positioning Around the Goal
 Fig. 3: The Goalkeeper's Arc |
 Fig. 4 Adjusted Arc |
Tony DiCicco calls this concept the "Arc Angle". It can easily be demonstrated on the soccer field with three ropes about 50 feet long, one attached to each post and one to a stake at the middle of the goal line. Place the ball at varying spots around the penalty area and have the keeper find their position, then place a cone there. When the exercise is finished, the cones will show that keeper's arc as in Figure 3. Adjust for chip shots and you'll end up with the keeper's arc as in Figure 4.
A keeper should learn this arc and use it as a general guideline for how they position themselves as the ball moves. Notice that this arc roughly follows the goal box. Make sure the keeper notes how their own arc matches or differs from the goal box, so they can use the goal box as a reference during practices and games. However, do not let a keeper, especially a young one, think they must move along this arc at all times. If the ball quickly changes position, they must move as quickly as possible to cover the new position, cutting across the box if necessary.
Also, remember a given keeper's arc will change as they gain size, strength and ability. You may want to run the exercise with the ropes once a season to see if their arc has changed.
Positioning Within the Penalty Area
Discussion of where the goalkeeper should be in the penalty area when the ball is elsewhere on the soccer field is in the tactics section.Quick Summary - Positioning: | Mistakes to Watch For: | ||||||||
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Know the location of the goalposts
Not checking the goalposts frequentlyContinue Reading
Street Soccer
Please to do not try this at home. This is a professional on a closed course....
Practice where you can.
Skill of The Week: Rebona
Rabona (ie- tricky kick): to cross your dominant foot behind your non-dominant foot and kick the ball.
Here's a great example to set up a goal. Watch close as this right-footed player figures out how to cross with his right foot while dribbling down the left.
Here are some more examples (around 3:30). And check out Maradona leading the way with the most stylish Rabona.
Definitely something to practice in your next backyard session.
HowTo: Midfield Support The Front Line
Here is a great analysis of how midfield players support the forward line.
This is a great example for players to learn from. Watch closely and see how they look for each other as there first option.
This is very close to how our #8 & #10 support our #9 (the center forward). But it is a good lesson for all our players to learn.
Showoff
Here is a good little video of some flicks & tricks from last weeks soccer action.
This should give you some new ideas about how deception and disguise play a part in successful attacking movements. Maybe you could even practice some of these at home & try them in practice.
September GOTM Contest
Pick your favorite and leave it in the comments thread (click on the number a the top of the post) to be eligible for the $25 dollar gift certificate to Kombat Soccer. Like this:
This contest is open to all Man Utd. players & parents.
#2 , Gary
For a Higher Quality Video Click Here.
Goal recap:
(1) Could you track an attacker to your own 18, make a gut busting 80 yard run with the ball, and still be cool enough to make a great pass your teammate could coolly slot away?
(2) Clever turn. Used his body to turn the defender. Buried the finish with his weaker foot.
(3) Great Chilean! (Americans call it a bicycle kick though... not sure why.)
(4) What makes this goal great is the teamwork you don't notice. The first header from the goalkick finds a teammate. Then the layoff and run by the forward to draw the defender out of his central position. Then the good finish. Overall excellent execution.
(5) Good run. Good decision. Great turn. Better Hit.
(6) Great goal from a Center Back*. Wins a header in midfield. Continues forward playing a one-two with an attacker and ends up on the edge of the box with a great strike. (* please keep in mind he does play for Arsenal**)(** Watch Arsenal play and you'll understand)
(7) Another Striker using his body to shield and roll the defender. But the speed and the finish are top class.
(8) This goal starts with great anticipation by the left back to cut out an attack. but the rest is All Fernando Torres. Moves, Speed, Power and the ability to FINISH.
(9) I posted this goal a few weeks ago but it gets better and better every time I see it. My new favorite part: if you turn up the volume, even over the commentator, you can hear the ball RIP THE NET! Whao!
(10) Great combination play around the box. An inside wall-pass, backheel flick, fake shot to draw a defender and a strong finish.
So there they are!
Pick your favorite and win. The winner will be announced Oct 18th.
(One vote per person. If there are multiple votes for the GOTM, a winner will be chosen at random)
October Is Juggle Month
The Benefits of Juggling:
Players gain more confidence on the ball while increasing overall skill.
Juggling is a fantastic exercise to develop touch with the soccer ball. When juggling, learning to control the body is very important. Being able to make quick, bodily adjustments with all muscles is developed through juggling.
Juggling also improves Balance & Coordination . With good juggling skills, players will become better passes, beat defenders more easily, and be able to hold the ball against defensive pressure, because of better touch on the ball.
And Juggling Will Help You Score! Don't believe me?.. Here are three examples. Enjoy.
Valencia's Pablo Hernadez. Take a bow!
One of the best goals you might have missed from last week.
Rivaldo for Barcelona. Probably one the the best assists of all time, although I think he meant to score. What a first & second & third touch.
GOTM Winner
WE HAVE A WINNER!!!! The winner of the $25 gift cert to Kombat Soccer is....
Nobody!! Since nobody entered, nobody won.
Next month look for the GOTM post and to enter, leave a comment on your choice for the best goal.
Principles of Attack
Lets go over some basic principles of how we attack & the Sac United Attacking Philosophy.
The Main Focus is to Score more Goals than the other team!
- Penetration - the first choice through dribbling, shooting, passing
- Support - providing all around support for player with the ball
- Mobility - an attempt to create gaps in the defense by a variety of different runs
- Width - in order to spread out the defense and create space
- Improvisation - make the attack unpredictable through creativity
The player on the ball we call the First Attacker. The next closest is the Second Attacker & so forth.. Here the the roles for each attacker.
- 1st Attacker – penetrate, improvisation
- 2nd Attacker – width, depth, mobility
- 3rd Attacker – width, depth, mobility
Sac United Attacking Philosophy
- If we can go directly to goal, we will. (#10)
- If we can not, we will make the game wide, long, and hold on to the ball.
Penetration
Support
- The ball must have three options:
- right
- lef
- through
- a fourth option would be a stretch option - direct ball over the defense
- Call for the ball when:
- you can be seen
- eye contact – the passer looks up
Mobility
Options to the ball: right, left, through, and if possible a stretch option. Specifically;
- Present targets to support the ball.
- If covered, move. If covered middle, move down the line.
- If covered square, vacate space.
- Always look to be the third man.
Width
- We achieve width through flank players and overlaps.
- Achieve width early out of the back.
- At minimum, present wide targets.
Improvisation
- Dribble when:
- open space
- in vital area, one defender to beat and shoot
- no options (shielding)
Visual And Visual Cues
1. Eye contact between players in possession and teammates
2. Sudden burst of speed by player will act as a cue
3. Positioning and body shape of player comparison to their defender
4. Nodding of the head in the direction where you want the ball to be passed
5. Strengths and weaknesses of person on the ball
6. Run dictates pass
The final consideration when we attack is the Risk vs. Safety Issue. We want to attack, but we don't want to expose ourselves to counter-attacks or make rash decisions in the wrong part of the park. How we act depends on where we are and how much pressure we're under.
1. Attacking Third
---> More risks should be taken
2. Middle Third
----> 50/50 consideration of Safety vs. Risk
3. Defensive Third
----> Safety is the first concern
EPL - Goal of the Month - WITH PRIZES
**UPDATE: Make sure to post your favorite goal in the Comments!**
As you all should know, the EPL (English Premier League) is back and better than ever (mostly because of being sans Newcastle.
The best EPL review show around is without a doubt the BBC's Match Of The Day. Every month MOTD rounds up the months best goals and sometimes awards prizes for guessing the best goal.
So I would like to inaugurate a new contest here on the BLOG. If you can guess the goal of the month, selected by the MOTD pundits, you'll win a soccer/Sac United prize.
Rules:
To enter, simply leave a comment to this post with (1) the goal # (2) your first name (or nickname) so I know who it is. You can only vote once. This competition is open to the entire Man Utd family, players and parents. In case of a tie, the winner will be drawn from a hat.
The winner will be announced this weekend! So get your votes in.
So without further ado, I give you the EPL AUGUST GOAL OF THE MONTH!
Good Luck!
Great Shot = (1) Follow through (2) Land on The Striking Foot
Video Evidence
As someone once said, "The camera doesn't lie." Here is Craig Bellamy's goal from the Man Utd vs Man City game, one of the best goals scored last weekend.
If you can, I suggest putting it on full screen mode.
Especially watch the last super slow reply. It shows Bellamy swing all the way through the shot, using his whole body to accelerate his leg, following through and landing on his striking foot.
It's a very excellent goal. He even scored another in that game.
Too bad he came out on the losing side this time though huhhn....
Gotta love video evidence.
One For The GK's
I don't give enough love to GK's with all these video post.
So by popular demand... Here is video evidence of a GK preserving a game for their team. It comes courtesy of the Champions League this past week.
Panna! Goalkeeper vs. Defender
Here is Football Club Internazionale Milano's GK Julio Cesar* in a possession practice pulling a sweet panna on Italian National Team defender Marco Materazzi.
* Please keep in mind he is Brazilian.
5 Best Playmakers
Here is terrific list of the games best play makers.
The players who know where everyone is at all times, who know every angle, every type of pass & when to play it.
It is always a joy to watch a great playmaker at work.
Who would be in your top 5?
Show Off! Best Skill From Mid-Week Champions League
Marseille’s Mamadou Niang shows us how to beat two Italian defenders. Answer: With some skill.
Enjoy.
How to Beat A Whole Team: Iaquinta & Gilardino vs. Bulgaria
ALL ONE TOUCH PASSES!
These two who help score Italy's second goal, Alberto Gilardino & Vincenzo Iaquinta, don't play on the same team during the season. They can combine this way because they both play & practice at a high level every week and know the game. If you know the game you can play with anyone.
An Absolutely Amazing Goal!
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