Page # : Digging Really deep in Regards to technique

Background info

Digging Really deep in Regards to technique

Does this need to be systematically taught, probably not; But it might be useful to know and understand, and can help if trying to identify and improve technical weaknesses in young players.

Absolute Basics: Video 1a; How does your foot touch the ball.
Absolute Basics: Video 1b; Absolute Basics about ball movement (with Explanation)

Absolute Basics: Video 2: Foot Flexibility (with coaching points)

Footwork that underpins Fundamental Footwork Patterns

Get up to speed with FFPs and session formats.

On this page we look at what underpins these FFPs. If you are dealing with young players who may not be ready for cone work or the FFPs then this is a progressional step you can use with these young players (who have probably come up from the game based format we use with very young players).

[So this is only considered when players are wanting or needing more than just games based learning]

Ball Moving Squares

Ball moving in a square: All players with a ball and in the same square – no particular direction, other than trying to move the ball away from other players and towards space. This is what many team coaches will do with their players.So how do we add more value?

For older players this is not 'specific or challenging' enough when building up specific footwork patterns, but can be used as a different approach to footwork which might be seen as more game like. That is; the moment determines the footwork pattern used, instead of the process in cone work – where the practice of specific patterns takes away the choice to use that footwork pattern.

Develop Inside footwork patterns in Young players

When doing this - challenge players to move the ball using just insides

Without a step between touches (this becomes an inside inside shuffle; Don't do 'ding dongs')
With 1 step in between touches (Inside step Inside step inside – keeps the ball on the same foot)

These 2 patterns combine easily; with 1 pattern keeping the ball on one side, and the other pattern switching it to the other.

With 2 steps (shuffle/run) in between touches (switches the ball)

Can players use these 3 simple underpinning techniques seamlessly in accordance with the time and space constraints around them? The above can be further tweaked by using insides to chop the ball, to push the ball, to turn (cut or Cruyff)

Develop Outside footwork patterns in Young players

When doing this - challenge players to move the ball using just outsides

Players could practice having 1 step or 2 steps between touches
Players could combine these 2 options
These can be further tweaked by using outsides to chop the ball, to push the ball, to turn

Develop Insides and Outside footwork patterns in Young players

When doing this - challenge players to move the ball using just outsides and insides combines

Players could practice having 0 steps between an inside and outside (Dush dush)
Players could practice having 1 step between touches (inside step outside)
Players could practice having 2 steps between touches (Inside shuffle outside)
Players could combine these 3 options

Can players use all of these simple underpinning techniques seamlessly in accordance with the time and space constraints around them

The above can be done in the middle of games, or isolated in open space, in a ball moving square or using 2 cones to make a figure of 8 patterns.

But always go with the player's flow - if they start to lose interest move on quickly.