F.A. SKILLS - Ask a Coach
ASK A COACH
F.A. Skills Coaches: Spencer, Steve, Eduardo, Alan, Matthew, Jenna, Sally, Paul
DIVING SAFELY!
Dear Skills Coaches, I’m a keeper and I have problems diving. Is there a safe way to dive without hurting yourself?
MOHAMED EID
“Hi Mohamed. When you dive for the ball, always try to land on the soft parts of your body – like the side of your leg and the top part of your arm and shoulder. That should stop you from hurting yourself!”
PLAYING LIKE MESSI!
Dear Skills Coaches, can you give me some tips on how to play like Lionel Messi please?
FAISAL JAVED
“Hi Faisal! To play like Messi you need to practise playing with the ball at your feet as much as you can. Try moving the ball with different parts of your boot, and work on keeping it close to you while changing direction as quickly as you can. Good luck!”
I GET OUTNUMBERED!
Dear Skills Coaches, if you’re defending against two attackers, should you go to the one with the ball or the one without it?
GIMA FONSO
“Hi Gima. First of all, make sure you’re close enough to the player with the ball to make a block if they shoot, but not so close that’s it’s easy for them to pass the ball around you. Then if the player with the ball does pass, you’ll be able to either intercept the ball or put pressure on the player it goes to!”
GETTING IT OVER THE WALL!
Dear Skills Coaches, I like taking corners and pens, but I can’t seem to get my crosses or shots over the wall from free-kicks. Please help me out!
WILLIAM WHITTERN
“Hi William. To get the ball over the wall you’ve got to strike it in the right place. Instead of hitting the centre of the ball, which you might be doing now, aim to strike between the middle and the bottom of it. Leaning back as you kick the ball will help it lift too, mate!”
ONE-ON-ONES!
Dear Skills Coaches, I have trouble scoring when I’m one-on-one with the keeper. How I can improve?
DANIEL PALMER
“Hi Daniel. When you get one-on-one, try to be patient and wait for the keeper to make the first move. If the keeper sprints out towards you, you’ll have a good chance of being able to go round them. If the keeper stays big, you’re best trying a low shot into one of the corners!”
HELP ME TAKE A THROW-IN!
Dear Skills Coaches, I’m a left-back and my coach always tells me to take throws, but I can’t throw the ball properly! Please help me improve them!
JOSH HOLLAND
“Yo Josh! Starting by holding the ball with both hands – so your thumbs touch to make a ‘W’ shape – then take it behind your head. Lean back, then quickly push your hands up and forward and follow through with your body. Make sure your feet don’t go over the white line, or it’s a foul throw!”
MY TRICKS GET BLOCKED!
Dear Skills Coaches, I try to do skills on my friends but they keep blocking them! What advice can you give me?
DAVID MCELLIGOTT
“I had the same problem at your age, David, and I bought myself a football so I could practise all the time! Try it without any opposition, then against something that doesn’t move – like a cone – then finally against a real opponent. Also, watch Ronaldo and Messi very closely – their skills are awesome!”
FOOTY DREAM!
Dear Skills Coaches, my dream is to become a pro footballer. How can I do this?
RORY MOULDEN
“Hi Rory. The first thing to do is find yourself a club to play for, and it helps if you play for your school team, too. Professional clubs often send people to watch schools, district or tournament football to look out for players. It’s great to play lots of football, but make sure you don’t play too much and put strain on your body!”
