Parents, Coaches,

Please have any player who wants to play in College or Professionally understand this concept. If you or they have any questions, please contact me at training@4skills.com

Soccer Instinct

What does “soccer instinct” get you? It gets you two seconds extra on the ball. Without it, you still might get the ball, but how did you use those two seconds?

With an unfocused mind, the ball will simply bounce off your shinguard or you will be holding your head regretting that you weren’t quicker or smarter or more ready.

Welcome to the realm of soccer killer instinct. This is where everything inside you is focused on one thing. It could be to win a tackle or to find the back of the net. Somewhere in your mind you have come to a conclusion of, “Do this now! This comes naturally to everyone, whether we know it or not, but many people rarely use it. Only in case of a real emergency do they care to focus their mind enough to do something.

Well folks, a soccer player does that every day. Someone who has real potential in soccer, has the ability for the time that they are playing to make the ball do things. The things that you want the ball to do range from a simple 10 yard pass to dropping the ball onto a teammate’s foot after an air back heel.

Now remember this isn’t a try, you must make it. You are in the middle of using your killer instinct. So now multiple options are presenting themselves and you see the path clearly. Everything you are — is focused on accomplishing whatever you have set out to do in the moment, so failure or hesitation cannot hold you.

Then the outcome arrives and you see resolution. If what you attempted, was actually created. It could be a cross into the box or a finish off of the incoming cross with a volley. Each player at a high level use this instinct. That is how they get to high places, they are able to display this instinct of making. Professionals enjoy this state most of the time they are playing. Why?

It is because they need the two seconds to create that phenomenal goal or make a huge defensive stop. Think about it. All they need is two seconds, some players just one. You need soccer instinct if you want to go far in this game.

So back to work . To find out more about how to master this state of optimal performance. click here www.4skills.com/flow.html

All Smiles on the Field,

Kamal de Gregory

Hello everyone out there in soccer land. This is Kamal de Gregory back with another Move of the Moment. This one is called the Old School Neck Catch and it is demonstrated by Chamba Style himself Jason Utely at www.chambastyle.com

Most of us have the seen the Old School Neck Catch. This is where the ball is kicked a little above your head, then you position your head under the ball and lower your the neck down to catch it. This is a sweet move, that takes foot strength control, good timing and a restful sensation when receiving the ball.

If you have 6 Minute Soccer Skills Trapping, you would easily understanding the reason for this restful feel, for now though just feel it.

The biggest problem is when the ball is on its way down that you get your head down fast so there will be an open cushion for the ball.

You can practice by placing the ball on your neck with your hands, then dropping the ball on your neck as you make the cushioning movement.

That is the old school way, next month we will shift gears to the Nu Skool Way. To see the Old School Neck Catch demonstrated click here.

Good Luck and be on the look out for next move of the moment.

This issue of front volley we look at the role of being a substitute player on your soccer team. Now some of you might say, “I’m too good to be a sub. I always start.”

Wow, from that response it is easy to tell that you haven’t played soccer long or should I say long enough. Even if you have started for the last four years, still you have not played long enough. Whether it is tomorrow or five years from now, something will happen that will put you on the substitute’s bench. It doesn’t have to be because you are not good. What if you’re coming back from an injury and your coach decides to put you in at the end of the game to help regain your confidence and rhythm?” Circumstances can and will put you on the subs bench one time or another.

So once you’re on that bench, what should you think of? A sub must know how to be a factor! They must either know how to change the game or keep producing what the team is already doing without missing a beat. Why else are you there?

For sure it is not to bring the game down to a lower-level. Stop believing that the role of a sub is to receive a couple of mercy minutes at the end of each half. A subs job is to contribute with the skills and abilities that they have to continue the game moving in your teams favor. It is a positive contribution, maybe not at the rate of some of the other players, but positive none-the-less.

It is okay to ask yourself the question, “What if I am not as good as the player I’m replacing.” Well, since you are unique you will bring an aspect to the game that the player you replaced did not. It may just be with your effort, or it could be with your heading ability. It is your uniqueness that matters now, not what the team has just lost.

So, as you’re on the bench, find the spots in the game where you can contribute. Study the opponent that you are probably going to be playing against and find their weaknesses. Figure out how your talents can beat them. When you get on the field, execute your personal plan without hesitation. Of course if your coach has given you instructions you should carry those out, but at the same time you will need to overcome your competition as they appear.

With your plan and a focused mind you will play the role of a super sub not just a player who is being swept under the rug.

All Smiles on the Field,

Kamal de Gregory