Play it Forward: How to be an Effective Soccer Forward
Glamorous is the job of the soccer forward, for more often than not, they’re the ones putting points on the board. Thought no more important than any other job on the field, they are the spearhead of the team and must exhibit a wide array of skills to be effective. Here are some pointers that will help make you a force to be reckoned with:
➢ It’s paramount to be a nimble dribbler and crisp passer because you operate in enemy territory. Even more important than shooting ability, knowing how to keep control.
➢ The second half of that last tip is knowing how to stay open when you don’t have the ball; moving to an area where the ball carrier can dump off will keep your side in possession, all the better if that area provides a clear line for a shot on goal.
➢ Generally, the team with the higher percentage of shots taken on goal is the winning team.
➢ The more consistently you pressure the defense, the more quickly they will wear down. Even tough defenders become fatigued and toward the end of the game, you will see their vulnerabilities. Exploit them!
➢ For forwards especially, that first touch on the ball is vital and will decide if you retain possession or give it up.
➢ Unless you are an expert player, you should avoid using your head except to shoot. Ball control is far easier using chest, legs, or feet, rather than the head, as many younger players are inclined to do.
➢ Being confident striking with either foot separates the good shooters from the great shooters. Rarely will you get a clean hard pass to your dominant foot.
➢ Far more often the setup will be a lob, chest, at head high, or from an inopportune angle. This is where your creativity and adaptation comes into play. Working with what you’re given to put the ball into the net will make you indispensible.
➢ Practice volleying the ball into the net with a single touch. This skill will come in handy, as the defense will usually be on top of you as soon as you receive the ball.
➢ Follow the shot! Most shots will not hit their mark and many will rebound just in front of the goal. The opportunistic forward will be there to pick the low hanging fruit with an easy tap in for the score.
➢ When the ball is in play on the defensive side of the field, a good forward will make themselves accessible to the midfielders for a short, no-danger pass.
➢ Being off-sides is a huge momentum killer, so it’s important to know the rules and be alert to the movements of the defense in order to play the off-sides line to your advantage.
➢ Anticipation is key! Moving, rarely in a straight line, to where you know the ball will end up give you an edge over the defenders and may put you in a crucial scoring position.
With these keys in mind you can certainly become a valuable striker. But without practice it means nothing. Head over to Rukket.com and pick up your own portable practice soccer goal like the El Diablo or Grasshopper, both are perfect to practice these critical skills!
