Controlling the ball
Description: Controlling the ball is one of the many important aspects in football. Controlling the ball is the ability to bring the ball down using various parts of your body to try and keep possession of the ball. This is an open skill because you can’t predict what will happen next and when doing this skill other factors could affect when to perform the skill or when to. this is also a simple skill to perform as it doesn’t take large amounts of coordination, timing or thought processing. Controlling the ball is considered to be as a gross skill as it uses many body parts to perform the skill. Lastly it is a discrete skill because there is a clear beginning and end to the skill.
Purpose: To keep possession of the ball, keep the ball away from the opposition and can create time and space whilst continuing the flow of attacking movements. Lastly controlling the ball allows you to play the ball so that you can decide your next move.
Technique 1: Control the ball with the chest (receiving the ball in the air)
Preparatory phase: Watch the ball in the air (depending on how advanced you are you can take one glance of the ball and look around to assess your next move before making contact with the ball) and get your body in line with the flight of the ball. The body weight should be distributed so that can after controlling you are able to turn in any direction.
Execution phase: The moment of contact between the ball and the chest. Relax your chest and bring it inwards to help cushion the ball. Body should be arched back to take the pace off the ball.
Follow Through: After controlling the ball , protect the ball and decide your next move.
Technique 2: Control the ball with the feet (receiving the ball on the ground)
Preparatory phase: Watch the ball on the ground (depending on how advanced you are you can take one glance of the ball and look around to assess your next move before making contact with the ball) and get your foot in line with the ball.
Execution phase: The moment of contact between the ball and the foot. Ball makes contact with either the instep , outside or sole of the foot, cushion the ball with foot by relaxing the foot.
Follow Through: After controlling the ball, protect the ball and decide your next move.
Running with the ball/ Dribbling
Description: Dribbling is keeping the ball close to your feet and under control whilst being able to run with it. This is an open skill because you can’t predict what will happen next and when doing this skill other factors could affect when to perform the skill or when to. this is also a simple skill to perform as it doesn’t take large amounts of coordination, timing or thought processing. Dribbling is considered to be as a gross skill as it uses many body parts to perform the skill. Lastly it is a continuous skill because there is no clear beginning or end to the skill.
Purpose: Trying to beat your opponent, and allows to buy time for your teammates and position yourself for attack.
Technique 1: Dribbling with the ball close to your feet
Preparatory phase: Set your yourself, shift your centre of gravity downwards and have your arms wide out for balance.
Execution phase: Tap the ball quickly with small kicks to increase the speed of your dribbling whilst having control and balance. Trying involving your weaker foot when dribbling and look up slightly when dribbling to see where you’re going and the options ahead of you.
Follow Through: After passing your opponent decide your next move (pass/shoot).
Technique 2: Dribbling with the ball using skill moves
Preparatory phase:Set yourself, shift your centre of gravity downwards and have your arms out wide for balance. Set a gap between you and the defender before doing your skill.
Execution phase: Tap the ball quickly with small kicks to increase the speed of your dribbling whilst having control and balance. When dribbling use a combination of tricks like body feints, step overs , roulette’s etc. Be on your toes ready to do your skill to beat the defender.
Follow Through: After passing your opponent decide your next move (pass/shoot).
Shooting
Description: Shooting is mainly used by forwards where they would shoot to try and score a goal. Shooting can be done in 2 forms such as with the feet or with the head. There are several different types of shots. This is an open skill because you can’t predict what will happen next and when doing this skill other factors could affect when to perform the skill or when to. this is also a simple skill to perform as it doesn’t take large amounts of coordination, timing or thought processing. shooting is considered to be as a gross skill as it uses many body parts to perform the skill. Lastly it is a discrete skill because there is a clear beginning and end to the skill.
Purpose: To beat the goalkeeper so that your team can score a goal. Shooting however can also be used to make the keeper deflect the ball in the path of a teammate.
preparatory phase: Position your standing leg on the side of the ball (standing leg left side of the ball for right footers. Standing leg on the right side of the ball for left footers). Have your arms out wide to provide balance. Have your striking foot out and slightly bent. Take several steps back before your run up towards the ball. Approach the ball at an angle.
Execution phase: The moment of contact between the ball and the foot. Strike the ball either with your instep, outside,laces of your foot. Lean your body over the ball to keep your shot low. Still have your arms out wide to provide balance. When striking the ball rise your standing leg in their air
Follow Through: After striking the ball have your striking leg outstretched and then land on your standing leg or your kicking leg for an outside curl on the ball.
Passing
Description: Key part in football that is used to help keep possession and to help your team move up the field whilst it makes it harder for the opposition to attack and get the ball. there are two main forms of passing: short pass and a long pass. This is an open skill because you can’t predict what will happen next and when doing this skill other factors could affect when to perform the skill or when to. this is also a simple skill to perform as it doesn’t take large amounts of coordination, timing or thought processing. Passing is considered to be as a gross skill as it uses many body parts to perform the skill. Lastly it is a discrete skill because there is a clear beginning and end to the skill.
Purpose: To keep possession and advance up the field to create a chance to score.
Preparatory phase:
Technique 1: Short pass
Approach the ball at 30 degrees. When approaching open the foot you are passing with and lock your ankle to help make a strong contact with the ball. Place your standing leg next to the side of the ball. Have your arms out wide to provide balance and have your head still and your eyes focussed on the ball
Execution phase:
Short pass: Strike the ball at the centre using the inside or outside of your foot (inside provides better accuracy). Try to keep the ball low.
Follow Through: Follow through with your kicking leg to increase power
Technique 2: Long pass
Approach the ball at 30 degrees. Place your standing leg next to the ball. Have your arms out wide to provide balance and have your head still and your eyes focussed on the ball.
Execution phase:
Long pass: strike the ball at the slightly underneath the centre using your laces and lean back if you want to get height on the ball. Try to make the ball not bounce before reaching your teammate to make the pass easier to control. For a lower long pass strike the ball at the centre and lean slightly more over the ball.
Follow Through: Follow through with your kicking leg to increase power
Sports Skills and Tactics 