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How to Win an Olympic Football Gold Medal!

  

Watch 1.30 mins into video. 

 

Olympic hosts France are at home in the Parc des Princes versus Spain. They have momentum, having pulled the game back to 3-3. It's extra time, and Spain substitute Sergio Camello has a dream to fulfill: to upset the French party. 


1st Person View: 

Two defenders behind me; 5 meters outside the box. Hold ground. We have good possession; let's see how this develops. Midfielder Gomez is free and receiving the ball only 5 meters away. He's turning fast with an open-out control. Get ready for options: show for the ball to feet, or make a run behind. The two defenders are moving forward to Gomez. Brilliant—I'm in behind; they've left me wide open. Turn fast, run to the box. Find me, Gomez! Yes, he's slipped it through the defenders. 

Can I let the ball run past me? No! Take one touch with the left foot to move it in front, into the box, on the angle to the goal. Quick look up. The keeper's rushing fast. No room—he's made my mind up; I have to chip the ball over him. He's sliding in. Get the left foot next to the ball fast. Pull the heel back on the right foot to wedge the laces under in a sharp punch into the ground. Not too much power—just a dink and direct the ball goalwards. 

The connection is perfect; the ball is clearing the keeper. The last defender is not going to make it. On the ball sails, smoothly into the far corner. The noise is deafening. We've done it! 


Summary: 

I love this goal. Camello's skill to lift the ball over the keeper was superb, as was the calmness of the finish. His awareness of where to move instinctively when the defenders moved forward was brilliant. He goes on to score the final goal in the last minute with a similar finish on his left foot. 

For defenders out there, we could also break down the huge mistake made by the two defenders to leave Camello to close down Gomez. They left the most dangerous attacker completely free. Ouch! Only one should have gone, of course, with one sticking with Camello. 


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, execute the run to get there. Build up a habit of making those runs. 

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

  3. Repetition of chip shooting with laces technique, stabbing motion under the ball, on the angle into the goal. Get a few footballs (if you can). Dribble at a cone on the edge of the box, then take off at the angle to the goal and chip/dink over some taller cones as you approach. 


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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