Run with the ball (or boot it!)

Parents and Friends,

Running with the ball is a technique that we focus on in trainings with all our players. It’s a key skill that must be taught and major gains can only be made with proper instruction, corrections and repetitions.

Any youth player may be quick or a good athlete but that’s movement without the ball. Moving at speed with the ball at the feet is a completely different matter.

You can tell in a game situation when a player doesn’t have the confidence to carry the ball…
they treat it like a hot potato!

The player just kicks the ball first time (boots it!) when it comes to their feet or they kick the ball forward and run after it.

We are here to help and my top 3 tips for running with the ball are…

1) Start at a jogging speed… speed can be built up as technique improves.
2) Both the inside (‘big toe’) and outside (‘little toe’) of the foot should be used.
3) Run with the ball varying the length of stride and change direction.

And of course, practice makes perfect, so lots of repetitions!

If you enjoyed today's message, please share it with a friend or fellow soccer enthusiast.

Chat soon,
Patrick
Soccer 1:1

P.S. Over the next 7 days, I'm going to be giving away free trial sessions to my program. In order to get that session, simply respond to this email and we can connect over the phone.