CONTROL
SHOOTING
PASSING
DRIBBLING
TURNING
HEADING
CREATE SPACE
INDIVIDUAL DEFENDING
SUPPORT PLAY
GOALKEEPING
CROSSING
TACKLING
THE THROW IN
ATTACKING SET PLAYS
DEFENDING SET PLAYS
THE FREE KICK
PASSING
Please select a subsection from the topics below :
 Sidefoot pass    Progression   In tight areas  
 With varying distances    Playing against the touchline  
 Passing on the run    With opposition involved  
   Two players against one    Further two against one practices  
 Passing in tight areas with a shot at goal   Kicking the ball  
 Progression    Progression II  
 Exercises for passing with the inside of the foot I  & II
 Progression III    Passing with place changing 
 Passing for accuracy    Volleying the ball   Kicking the ball

PLAYING AGAINST THE TOUCHLINE

Playing against the touchline (Defenders in possession of the ball)

Players on the flank often have more space than those in the central areas of the field - but they face the task of limited scope because of the proximity of the touchline.

To familiarise themselves with this (young players in particular) need to practice, receiving the ball first, and then passing it on progressing forward.

The control of the ball (the first touch) is very important, and cannot be stressed enough. A good control (to advantage) sets up the next phase in play. Poor control, and the defender will end up clearing for distance or even for safety as opponents move in to take advantage.




Practice 1

In practice (1) player (A), inside the centre circle, serves a long ball to goalkeeper (GK) who collects and immediately rolls or throws out to his defender (D) - who is placed 3 metres in from the touchline.
(D) controls the ball quickly, then has two options: -

(a) A sharp pass along the ground with the inside of the foot (right or left alternate) to (B) who is practically on the touchline - positioned there to ensure that there is little room for error in D's pass (B) controls and passes on to (A) to repeat the practice.

OR


(b) As soon as (GK) delivers the ball to (D), (A) moves quickly to the flank, and (D) lifts the ball over (B) to (A) who has to control the ball and then (preferably first time) lay it back to (B). (A) then returns to his central position and (B) feeds the ball to him to resume the practice.

N.B. The key points are: -

(1) D's good first control
(2) The accuracy of his pass to (B) or (A)

Until (D) is totally confident in the technique required then this practice should be repeated until he is adapt at playing the long and short pass required from that position.

To progress and to require a little more urgency from (D) an attacker (F) can be introduced. He is positioned on the edge of the arc of the penalty area. He remains there until (GK) serves the ball to (D) then he moves in quickly to challenge D.

This will ensure (D) will have to control quickly and then serves on to (B) or (A) before (F) can get in a tackle or a challenge.