Tips from the one and only Eric Cantona
How often do you stay after training to work on a specific part of your game? Do you do this at all? If not, start incorporating this into your training routine and you’ll quickly notice an improvement in the skill you’re working on and you’re confidence on the pitch. Start by training anywhere from 15-30 minutes of an area of your game that is weak or to master an area you’re already strong in. This could be anything from free kicks, penalty shots, dribbling or heading the ball. Read more
Rivaldo: The Brazilian Zidane
With the outdoor season getting under way in the coming weeks, I decided to look for some old footage of a great player and try to learn a thing or two. I decided on some footage of Brazilian legend, Rivaldo. We’re all familiar with Rivaldo’s ability as a footballer but when I watched some of the footage I was simply blown away. His touch on the ball is absolutely incredible. There are few players today that play the way he does. Read more
The best goal of Wayne Rooney’s career
Check out Wayne Rooney’s bicycle kick goal in the 2-1 win for Manchester United over Manchester City in this weekend’s derby. After the match Rooney said it was his first overhead kick in a professional match and the best goal of his career. Sir Alex Ferguson said it was the best goal he has seen at Old Trafford. Read more
The single most important skill in soccer
Balance…that’s right, balance! Many people overlook balance and take it for granted. Balance is a skill. Balance requires practice…and a lot of it. The best players in the world all know this, do you? Here’s how you add balance to your game.
Controlling the ball out of the air
Controlling the ball when it is rolling to your feet is one thing. Controlling the ball when it comes in mid-to-high ranges is a lot more difficult. The reason it is so difficult is because the ball comes in at different trajectories and speeds. Deciding whether to use your chest, knee or other body part needs to be a split second decision. If you can learn to how to use all of these body parts effectively, no ball will be too difficult to deal with.
Ronaldo strikes again
Cristiano Ronaldo has single handily revolutionized the way free kicks are taken. He has developed a unique technique that has dazzled fans and baffled goalies. Over the past 4-5 years, he has worked tirelessly to perfect what some refer to as the “knuckle ball.” In a recent Spanish La Liga match where Ronaldo’s Real Madrid played against Real Valladolid, a free kick was earned approximately 25 yards out from Real Valladolid’s net. The goalie worked intensely at creating a wall to help him stop what was inevitable: a shot from Ronaldo. Then this…
Resurrecting the scorpion kick save
As a goalie, it takes a certain level of bravery and/or stupidity to perform the scorpion kick save. Obviously the goalies in the following video practiced this move in training several times before trying it in a game. As a goalie your sole responsibility is to keep the ball out of the net. However, if you want to make a name for yourself all you have to do is the scorpion kick. Rene Higuita of Columbia was the first to do it in 1995 and now it was recently duplicated. Read more
Don’t Forget About Andriy Shevchenko
Ukrainian striker and AC Milan legend Andriy Shevchenko is a player that is often forgotten when great strikers are discussed yet he is one we can learn much from. It was unfortunate to see him move to Chelsea in the prime of his career and not produce the same results he did while playing for Milan, however, no matter what, we can always learn from a talented player. Shevchenko’s talent and the number of goals he scored in his career (and counting) must be respected. Read more
The Ronaldinho Ankle Snap
Some players move their entire leg and or body with the ball when they want to change directions. This can work although depending on how the play is developing around you it may not be the best move. If this is the case, it is time to implement the Ronaldinho ankle snap. This move is the fastest way to change directions and speed within a split second! You no longer have to move your entire body or leg around the ball in order to go from left to right. You will be able to shake any defender and immediately be on the offensive. This is the fastest way to change your pace. When performing this move on the straight run or when moving from left to right, well…defenders watch out! Read more
Learn the Ronaldo knuckle ball
If you pay attention to the way free kicks are being taken in the modern game you will notice that a new style is surfacing. Previously, when there was a free kick from 18-25 yards out, it used to be a given that you are going to curve it over/around the wall and in. Now, we are beginning to witness what is called the knuckle ball.
The Secret to Trapping the Ball
When bringing a high ball down under control in one touch we often use the inside of our foot. There is nothing wrong with this approach but it is important to learn how to use the other parts of the foot depending on how the play is developing around you. Sometimes it is faster to bring the ball down with the top of your foot instead of the inside of the foot. However, when players try to bring the ball down with the top of their foot they often make a fundamental mistake which is: they use the laces part of the foot. Read more
How creative is your soccer game?
Creativity is born and nourished on the practice field. When you try new things and different things on the practice field, and continue to practice them, you then develop skills that you didn’t have before…skills that no one had before. That is the whole point of creativity: try something no one else is trying.