FineSoccer Kids 39

Welcome to the FineSoccer Kids Newsletter.  Today’s subject deals with the near post run.

When the ball is out wide and a player is about to cross the ball, it’s extremely important that there be a near post run in order to increase the scoring opportunities for the attacking team.  Many youth players know there is supposed to be a near post run BUT don’t seem to know why or how.

The purpose of the near post run starts with trying to draw the attention of the opposing keeper and defense.  If the player making the near post run does so at full speed and is vocal in making the run, she can frequently draw the opposing keeper to cheat to the near post and if this is done, the near post runner has accomplished a great deal.  The next purpose of the near post runner is to beat the keeper to any ball played toward the near post.  She does this by getting to the near post sooner than the keeper can (which means going at full speed) and being willing to win the ball when it’s in their area.  If the ball is played behind the near post runner (meaning it’s played closer to the 12 yard spot than the near post) she should bend the run out (see diagram below) in order to make the goal bigger (see http://finesoccer.com/finesoccer_kids_26.htm for more on this subject).

If the near post runner can do any or all of the things mentioned above she opens up the field behind her for more scoring opportunities for herself and her team.

The near post run should be made directly in front of the keeper with a slight bend.  She should NOT slow down to get a ball played behind her (at least not normally) and instead should get deep before bending the run back out to make the goal larger AND to stay onside.  It’s best if the runner is vocal demanding the ball both to let the player with the ball know the run is being made but also to further draw the attention of keeper and defense.

If the ball is played into the near post and the near post runner can get to the ball, she can do one of three things with the ball.  First she can try to redirect the ball into the goal.  If that isn’t possible, she can play the ball back out to the 12 yard spot to another teammate (see diagram below).

The third option is to play the ball back to the player who crossed the ball initially (see diagram below)

Without the near post runner, many options are lost.  To become a better player, learn when, how and why to make the near post run and you will be much more successful in the long run

Any questions, comments or suggestions should be sent to kidscomments@finesoccer.com or they can be posted to the FineSoccer Forum at http://finesoccer.net

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Have a great day!

Lawrence