FineSoccer Kids 55

Welcome to the FineSoccer Kids Newsletter.  Today’s subject is keeping the head steady and watching the ball.

One of the most frustrating things to watch is a defense under pressure and when a player finally gets the chance to clear the ball and relieve pressure, they mis-hit the ball.  Before I go any further, please understand that when the opportunity exists to bring the ball out of the back and maintain possession that should usually be the first choice.  However, there are times when you will want to clear the ball down field either to a teammate or into space to buy time for the defense to regroup.

Without a doubt, the most common reason these balls get mis-hit is because the player doesn’t keep her eyes on the ball.  When you watch a players head when they are trying to clear a ball, you will be able to figure out real quickly whether she was successful or not in her clearance based on whether she keeps her head steady or not.  The player who keeps their head steady and watches the foot make contact with the ball is the one who will be most successful in their clearances.

The players who regularly mis-hit the ball when trying to clear it are moving their head with their leg and as the leg swings, their head raises to see where they are going to hit the ball instead of keeping the head steady and watching the contact between the foot and the ball. 

This necessity to keep the head steady while making contact is true for all sports.  For example, a baseball player needs to watch the bat hit the ball in order to make good contact.  A tennis player is a great example of someone who keeps their head steady while making contact and watching the ball into the racquet.  Same thing with a golfer.

The sooner a player learns to keep their head steady while making contact with the ball, they will be better at clearing balls defensively (and shooting, heading, volleying and overall being a soccer player).

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

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Have a great day!

Lawrence