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Centre Forward - Wow!

aaronptighe

Euro 24 in Dortmund, Germany. There are 90 minutes gone in the semi-final. Substitute Watkins has been brought on to make a difference, and boy did he!



1st person view:

30 meters out. Palmer has space on the right wing, running with the ball. Van Dijk is caught over on that side. He's left a massive hole. This is my opportunity to get in behind. Sprint hard now, diagonally, and get into that hole. Get in front of my marker, De Vrij. Stay onside.

Yes, I'm in.


Palmer sees the run, and he's timing the pass. Slow up and position the body; going to receive just inside the box, on the angle to the goal. Get ready to protect the ball from De Vrij behind. If I get a good touch, I'll have enough angle for a right foot shot across the keeper. The ball arrives, feel De Vrij behind; there's space. Now, snap the instep control across my body. Perfect. Visualize the far corner. No need to look; I know where it is.


Get my left foot up next to the ball. I still have space to shoot. Drive the ball hard, right foot laces through the ball. Need as much power with accuracy as possible. Connect! Yes, it's got through De Vrij's legs. It's on its way, looking good. Keeper dives, doesn't make it. It's innnnnnn!


What a stunning, clinical goal by Watkins. This is centre-forward play at its finest. The vision to see the run behind, to see where he could be dangerous. The power and pace to get there, the touch and execution of the shot. Wow, what a goal.


Practice:

  1. In training games, be aware of runs that can take you into space behind defenders to receive a pass. You won't always receive them, but seeing them is the first step, then execution of the run to get there. Build up a habit of making those runs.

  2. Repetition constantly of first touch receiving the ball and moving the ball across your body. This is one of the very first skills in the 92 One2Pro app skills that we show you how to do. You can practice this on your own against a wall.

  3. Repetition of low shooting with laces technique on the angle into the far corner. Get a few footballs (if you can). Dribble at a cone on the edge of the box and then take off at the angle to goal and drive your shot.


One2Pro

The use of video with a coach review is fantastic in honing skill and performance.

In our One2Pro online coaching app, 'techniques of the stars' are broken down step-by-step for our players to follow and practice.

Download to view all skills free and subscribe to work with your One2Pro coach.

Be the One! I hope you enjoyed the 1st person thinking :)

Aaron Tighe

Founder, One2Pro

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