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Declan Rice: Pinpoint accuracy

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I was watching the goals from Arsenal v Leeds this weekend, and once again we see Arsenal creating chaos and scoring from inside the six-yard box. There is a consistent thread to this success: his name is Declan Rice. The accuracy of Rice's dead-ball free kicks and corners is fantastic. As he says himself: "I do better when I focus on the ball, and I practice a lot." 


Declan's technique is of the Beckham style—the more traditional inside-foot bend of the ball. When I played, it was my favourite technique. I recall scoring a left-foot bend, over-the-wall free kick against Leeds at Elland Road, with the same style of technique. 

As you place the ball down and take steps back on an angle from the ball, the key focus areas are: 

  1. Visualising the flight of the ball and where it will meet the target. In Rice's case with Arsenal, if it's a corner and it's in-swinging, you are going to bend the ball at super pace, on a low trajectory above the heads, with the target being the centre of the six-yard box. Visualisation is so important. You might just take one or two looks, and then lock it in your brain. 

  2. Make sure your angle of approach is set up just right to be able to hook around the ball. 

  3. As Rice says, focus on the ball with your eyes as you approach—specifically the underside of the ball where you are going to connect with your foot. 

  4. As you connect, whip your foot up and around the ball. 

  5. All through this process, you are still picturing the trajectory of the ball. 

Enjoy these clips of Rice's quite brilliant accuracy and below is a summary of his career from youth football with a quite common aspect for many great players, a rejection as a youngster. 

 

 


Declan Rice’s Youth-to-Professional Pathway 

  • Early Beginnings: Born on 14 January 1999 in Kingston upon Thames, Greater London, Rice was drawn to football from a young age and joined the Chelsea Academy at age 7.

  • Setback at Chelsea & Switch to West Ham: At age 14 (around 2013), he was released by Chelsea. Quickly thereafter, West Ham United took him on trial, offering him a place in their academy. 

  • Development at West Ham Academy: At West Ham, he progressed steadily—winning the Premier League Cup with the U21s in 2016 and Premier League 2 Division 2 with the U23s in 2020.  

 

Professional Breakthrough: 

  • Signed his first professional contract in December 2015. 

  • Made his senior debut as a late substitute against Burnley on the final day of the 2016–17 season and soon after made his full debut against Southampton in August 2017

  • Rose rapidly to become West Ham’s first-choice midfielder and, in 2022, succeeded Mark Noble as club captain. 

  • Played a pivotal role in West Ham’s UEFA Europa Conference League triumph in 2023, earning Player of the Season honors.

  • Move to Arsenal: In July 2023, Rice transferred to Arsenal for around £100 million—a club-record fee and one of the highest ever for an English player. He debuted in the Community Shield and quickly established himself as a key figure in midfield.

 

Testimonial Quotes from Notable Figures 

  • Former West Ham manager David Moyes praised Rice’s evolution, particularly after he added attacking dimension to his game at Arsenal: 

“Rice’s striking ability… his growth as an attacker began at West Ham… now more confident… he has started to impose his presence and leadership on the pitch.” 

  • Sol Campbell, former Arsenal and England centre-back, went further: 

Declared Rice “the best central midfielder in the world” right now, placing him ahead of top talents like Rodri and Jude Bellingham—highlighting his consistency, versatility, and influence in midfield.  

 


One2Pro: 

The use of video with a coach review is fantastic for honing skills and performance. In our One2Pro online coaching app, "Techniques of the Stars" are broken down step-by-step for players to follow and practice. 

Download and subscribe to work with your One2Pro coach on all 92 skills. 


Be the One!  

Aaron Tighe 

Founder, One2Pro 

 

*What It Takes. Available on major retailers in hardcopy, eBook and audio. 

 


 
 
 

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