Fancy Footwork Is Essential on the Soccer Field
If you are going to play soccer, you have to learn how to move your feet. The game involves running, negotiating around other players, and being able to shoot on the move. If you think it look easy, try it and see. It may be a lot harder than you think.
Soccer is a sport that revolves around your feet. Since you can not use your hands, it is even more crucial that you learn how to control the ball with your feet. That way you can move it around the field as you wish. The better you are able to move the ball, the less likely it is that someone will steal it from you, and the better your chances are for scoring. Knowing a variety of moves will also help to keep opposing players from anticipating your next move and beating you there.
This is of particular importance for the goalie. A goalie needs to know how to move his or her feet quickly to move the ball and/or get their body into such a position that they can defend the goal. The goalies should never take his/her eyes off the ball, even for a moment. If they do so, they give the opposing team a chance to fake them out and score. Because of this, the goalie needs to know how to move so they are not falling all over themselves trying to get to the ball. It is especially crucial to practice movements that allow the goalie to step backwards or to the side quickly without falling over his or her feet or losing sight of the ball.
Of course, as with any other technique in soccer, the best way to improve your footwork is through practice and drills. Drills, while boring, are the best way to make the move become second nature. Here are some drills to get you started.
The tick tock or foundation drill helps to teach ball control using the inside of the feet. Each player gets a ball and starts with the ball between the feet. On the signal, each player taps the ball between his feet, each tap counting as one. The first player to hit 20 (or any other number established by the coach) wins. Remember, you are tapping the ball here – not kicking it. This drill is to help establish precision – if you end up kicking the ball off to the side you will lose your momentum. Not to mention that you have lost control of the ball – which in a game situation means the opposing team has a chance to retrieve it.
Another drill is the step-around. It teaches fast feet and part of a scissors feint. Again, each player has a ball between his or her feet. On the signal, the player moves one foot around the back of the ball towards the other foot going all the way around the ball back to the starting position. Then do the same with the other foot. The first player to reach the established number wins. Good balance and coordination are essential here – you should not touch the ball at all.
A third drill is the circle and outside-of-foot push, which helps to teach footwork and the use of the outside of the foot to control the ball. Many players use the inside of their foot to kick the ball, so the outside may feel unnatural at first. Each player stands with the ball between their feet and their body slightly behind it. They then move their right foot around the front of the ball to the opposite side, and push the ball two to three feet. They repeat this motion 10 times, and then do the same thing using their left foot. The first player to finish the exercise wins. Remember that we are going for small, precise movements here – your ball should not end up halfway down the field.
Practice, practice, practice! That is the only way that your footwork is going to improve. Work on drills daily or more so if possible. Work with your teammates to discover your strengths and weaknesses, and then use each other to turn those weaknesses into new strengths. In time, you will see a drastic improvement of your game.
Tags: footwork, playing soccer, soccer drills