I Soccer File PASSING and DRIBBLING O by James Nixon Photography by Bobby Humphrey Smart Apple Media
The MIDFIELD Battle Goals are vital and defending is key but a soccer game is often won or lost in the midfield Most of the D0 OF I game takes place in the middle of the field If your midfielders are good at winning the ball and keeping possession your team can control the game You will stop the other team from building attacks and allow your midfield to create scoring chances for the forwards Midfielders look to pass or dribble as they build an attack When you win the ball in midfield or receive a pass what should you do The most important thing is to not give away possession of the ball You have to act quickly as an opponent will soon challenge you At the same time you must think about advancing the ball forward There are two main ways to do this You can pass to a teammate or dribble with the ball When under pressure from opponents you must battle to keep possession of the ball for your
EXPERT XAVI Spanish midfielder Xavi right is possibly the finest playmaker in the world A playmaker directs the team's play from midfield Most of Spain's passing and offensive moves go through Xavi He has great vision and directs passes all over the field with accuracy He rarely gives the ball away A team with Xavi on it is likely to dominate a game Xavi was named Man of the Match when his club Barcelona beat Manchester United 2 0 in the 2009 champions League Final a EUERIEL Ball Familiarity Before you become an expert at passing and dribbling you should learn how the ball responds to your touch Practice getting a feel for the ball with these exercises Make sure you practice using both feet In a game you cannot always use your stronger foot Roll your foot over the top of the ball and down the side below 1 3 Now keep going from one side to the other Next practice your feel for the ball on the move Set up two cones a short distance apart and dribble the ball T around the cones in a figure eight When you are more confident try some ball juggling How many times can you touch the ball in the air without it dropping left DEO
