Better than Golovin: how to learn to chase the ball?

Euro 2020 is gaining momentum. Now fans around the world will be able to watch the best footballers from the European continent for a month. These are players who can do literally everything on the field – and give an accurate pass for a few dozen meters, and score a goal from the center of the field and, if necessary, leave half of the opposing team fooled.

To hone your technique in ball control, you need to maximize the development of basic skills. To do this, it is enough to work hard on standard exercises. One of these is chasing. Everyone who has learned to chase the ball knows how difficult it is at first to keep it in the air. After all, after contact with the foot round projectile treacherously flies from side to side.

My soccer coach Vadim Popov and I have compiled an excellent instruction on how to learn how to chase the ball quickly, efficiently and without registration.

What is chasing?

It is holding the ball in the air using all the body parts allowed in soccer. The first rule to remember is that while the feet do, the hands don’t interfere.

At first glance, it seems that chasing the ball is very easy. However, once you try it, the thought “I’ve never made such a mistake before” flashes through your mind.

Developing this skill is a difficult and long process that requires self-control and desire. A beginner should take a responsible approach to each training session in order not to get injured and to master the technique correctly.

And do not forget to listen to the words of coaches and players.

Where and what to train in?

All you need is free space. Therefore, the place for training can be both a playground and a soccer field. This exercise can be performed even at home, but then stay away from the windows and hide all the mom’s crystal from the neighbors.

But it is best to start developing the skill of chasing on the beach soccer court.

Vadim Popov

professional soccer player, coach

The best thing is to start practicing on the sand. There the technique will grow dramatically.

Now let’s move on to the attributes. The question that plagues every beginner – what shoes to chase? After all, the choice is really huge: from ordinary sneakers and sneakers to boots and cleats.

Do not panic, we have already learned everything. At the initial stage, shoes are not important: both sneakers and sneakers will do. You can think about professional footwear when the skill develops to a sufficient level. So put on your favorite sneakers, loose clothes – and go!

How to learn how to stuff the ball?

Before training, do not forget to stretch. Pay special attention to the calf muscles, because they bear most of the load. To do this, you can stand on the curb, lift up on your toes and return to the same position. Repeat the exercise several times until you feel ready for the main part of the workout.

When embarking on a coining exercise, the expert advises beginners to relax and feel the ball. A person always wants everything at once and starts to get angry when something does not work out. We must remember that calmness is the key to success.

If you have never chased the ball, start with a simple exercise – juggling. The task is as simple as possible: toss the ball into the air and kick it back into your hands. Repeat the same actions with the other foot, gradually alternating with each other. Alternatively, after kicking, you can let the ball fall to the ground and kick it alternately with each foot.

When the exercise is brought to automaticity, you can make it harder. Change the chasing – kick the ball with the hip, shoulder, head, outside and inside of the foot. Don’t try everything at once, as perfection takes time and practice.

Lifehacks

Competent chasing includes several important nuances:

• The ball should go as low as possible, as it is more difficult to control at altitude.
• It is important to relax the foot and not to put force into each stroke, so as not to quickly use up energy reserves. Vadim Popov recommends beginners to pull the toe so that the ball comes back in the right direction.
• Don’t forget to straighten and straighten the leg you’re chasing the ball with, because the correct movement starts from the knee.

Why do I need this skill?

Very often beginners wonder why you need chasing, because in the game this exercise can be used very rarely. But the answer is very simple:

• Chasing helps to strengthen various muscle groups, especially the calf muscles.
• It allows you to feel the ball better and develops agility, which comes in handy during a match.
• It diversifies your arsenal of individual techniques, allowing you to mislead your opponent.

Stuffing the ball – both difficult and necessary element that every soccer player needs to master. Believe in yourself, train – and after a while your technique will reach a new level. And don’t forget that nothing works the first time, so stay calm in case of failures on the way to perfection.