| Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to watch the | | | | pass, professionals are right on the money. They pass |
| FA Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea. | | | | the ball to a specific spot as opposed to a general |
| It was a fierce game in which Chelsea eventually | | | | area. To mimic the accuracy of professionals, there |
| proved victorious. And even though I am a huge United | | | | are one or two main drills you can do to increase your |
| fan, I enjoyed the game immensely. Why? The talent | | | | skill level. |
| level was so high. The players on these two massive | | | | - Keep Away. Playing keep away can help you in just |
| clubs are so good at what they do that anyone who | | | | about every way imaginable. But if you want to |
| watches them can't help but be impressed. | | | | develop precision passing, play keep away with small |
| It got me to thinking, how can a player become so | | | | goals of 1-2 feet wide at either end of the field. If you |
| good? I have been playing soccer for over 20 years, | | | | play keep away with a regular sized goal or no goal at |
| but I am no where near their skill level. So, what is the | | | | all, the play tends to take place on the outskirts of the |
| difference. Well, the following are a few things that | | | | playing field. But by setting up small goals, each team is |
| professional players possess and I lack. Below, you will | | | | forced to pass the ball within the confines of a small |
| see a short list of skill sets that make players great | | | | area in order to get close enough to the goal to score. |
| and how to develop those particular skill sets. | | | | 3. Field Awareness. In order to play at a high level, you |
| 1. Ball Handling: Upon watching professionals, it seems | | | | must know exactly where your teammates are. Many |
| as if the ball is literally glued to their feet. Where they | | | | times, when a player looses possession, he or she has |
| go, the ball goes too. This skill set is developed by | | | | taken too long to pass the ball to another player. But, if |
| becoming comfortable with the ball at your feet. To do | | | | players know where their teammates are before they |
| this, a player must get as many touches as possible | | | | need to pass the ball, possession will be retained on a |
| each day. When I played in high school, our coach | | | | more consistent basis. The best way to become more |
| made us get 1,000 touches on the ball before practice | | | | aware of the field and players around you is as |
| would even begin. You can do this by doing the | | | | follows. |
| following: | | | | - One- or Two-touch passing drills. It doesn't really |
| - Juggling. This can be done alone or with a group, but | | | | matter what type of drills you do in this case. |
| keep the ball in the air. Don't let it touch the ground, | | | | However, the way you perform the drill is extremely |
| ever. But, unlike traditional juggling, to get a better feel | | | | important. The rule is you cannot take more than one |
| for the ball, juggle while moving. Find a grassy nook | | | | or two touches on the ball before passing it. This |
| and juggle the ball from one end to the other. Also, | | | | seems a little hasty, but if you do not have many |
| instead of using your strong foot (almost everyone | | | | touches to use, then you are forced to pick your head |
| prefers one foot to the other), try to keep the ball in | | | | up and take a look around you. By doing this, you will |
| the air using your weaker foot. | | | | develop the habit of looking around you before |
| - Roll Overs: Whether you are going side to side, | | | | receiving the ball so you know where you are going to |
| backwards or forwards, roll overs will help your control. | | | | pass beforehand. |
| Find a field of some sort and practice rolling the ball | | | | There are many reasons why professionals are |
| with each foot. However, instead of just rolling the ball | | | | professionals. But, the aforementioned skills are |
| and watching it, use each step you take to roll the ball | | | | necessary for anyone to play soccer at a competitive |
| again. Essentially, you should be running and rolling the | | | | level. Performing these drills will help you become a |
| ball with the sole of your foot at the same time. | | | | better and more influential player. |
| 2. Passing. Whether it is a cross-field pass or a 5-yard | | | | |