Soccer Styles

Managed to play soccer again. =) It seems so hard these days with busy schedules, fitness levels, and other excuses, and that's just for me, gotta multiply that by many more for other people in order to have a good game. Pretty cool that we've managed to get some sort of regularity going with our weekly games, and it's nice to see familiar faces (and playing styles) at the pitch.

Maybe because of this, I may be more willing to shell out for new boots, because the new Adidas Lethal Zones look so tempting, while my current (rather new pair, worn less than 20 times) is chafing my ankle a bit. I am playing fine and scoring well with them though, hence my reluctance to go out and change a winning formula (aside from the steep price of the LZ!).

I have found that adapting my playing style to the small game as well as my physical state (getting older!) takes some getting used to. Most of what i do on the pitch these days involve making space for myself in order to pass or shoot. This can be simply running into space and receiving the ball, at this point of time i usually stop running. This is the nature of the small game, it is really hard to run with the ball, and is far easier to run off the ball. By doing so, you are more balanced when you pass or shoot. There are people who are really skilled and can do so, but not me. LOL

If i'm static and/or marked out by a defender, then making space becomes trickier. The basic premise is to push the ball away from the defender. If push short, then i have to turn, run on to it and shoot. If push long, then it becomes a pass (provided someone receives it!). The skill involve usually is first timing the ball, as that first contact is all-important and sets up your next move. Erring on the side of caution leads to the ball really close to me, and i'd be static and either: i fall over the ball as it is stuck under me, or i'd have to trick my way out (unlikely), or i'd have to pass back (happens 80% of the time). Going strong on that first touch would usually lead the ball astray and i'd have to chase it down (and usually lose it unless defender is out of position and out of shape lol).

Interestingly enough, my goals yesterday were a good mix of cross-and-tap-in, placement shots, power shots, volleys, rebounds, and one-on-one dinks (i felt like Torres!). Being able to shoot with both feet is definitely an advantage. I even had a header but that was saved. LOL

soccer now, soccer then...

I still play soccer these days, although no longer on a full pitch with 20+ other players.  Due to fitness (lack thereof) and space (also lack thereof), we've taken to playing on smaller 4/5-a-side pitches on astroturf. So we can still wear our studs and feel manly about it (heh heh). I have also noticed at a recent game that I can no longer rely on my speed to get past a defender. This is also due to the small pitch, but i think i'm really slowing down, which is a pity, because it was quite fun to do this in the past: face the defender with the ball, run and lean one direction, wait for reaction, then go the other way. =) The only way to counter was for the guy to hold his ground and not commit (no reaction), then i'd run out of space and have to stop or pass.

Stopping with the ball is ok, stopping with the ball with your back to the defender is hard, but somehow, instincts always kick in here and if i do stop, i always end up shielding the ball like this and most of the time, i pass it back. =) Playing with your back towards goal is one of those crucial skills that players need to develop (IMO), and I noticed myself using several methods to get past the defender in this situation: receiving the ball with back towards goal.
1) run forward (or pretend to with a few steps) and if the defender is to your side waiting for you to stop the ball so that he can take it off you, let the ball run between your legs, turn and go. The ball needs to have sufficient pace for you to do this (but not too fast!) and if done correctly, should leave the d in your wake, especially if he was leaning into the tackle already.
2) trap the ball by cushioning it with your instep, then letting it follow your foot backwards as your swivel. This is a move often done perfectly by Fabregas (video here).

I wonder how long can i do these before i have to rely on guile and skill, since these still require a bit of pace (especially 1). Soccer is great fun tho. =)