It’s the FA Cup final, Wembley Stadium, 2nd half with Chelsea 2-0 up and Arsenal pushing to get forward. Let’s take a 1st person view of this fantastic chipped goal.
1st Person view
Stay out wide just inside own half, in preparation for a counter attack if we win the ball back. The Arsenal midfielders touch is too heavy, we’ve won it in the centre midfield; we’re on! Turn and run into the space. Call loud for the ball. Start cutting inside, so when the ball comes, It’s a direct run at goal. Our midfielder see’s the pass and delivers beautifully. The ball slides through the space between the retreating centre back and into my stride.
1st touch: push the ball into space, direct at the goal, perfect. The defender is not going to catch up. Keep the speed fast!
2nd touch: same again push the ball out into space and into the box on the angle to goal.
Evaluate quickly. Have a look. The keepers on the edge of the 6 yard box and the defenders closing in.
Choices: take more touches and dribble at the keeper, shoot with power or a cheeky chip?
Chip it is! Place a strong standing left foot next to the ball, pull the right heel down to the grass a little and stab the laces part of the boot under the ball, like a wedge, to make the ball go up fast with backspin. Connect! Keep balance, stay strong. The ball takes flight, up, up, it’s good, it’s clearing the keeper easily, It starts its dip quickly, it’s going in under the bar into the far corner. Goal!
2min 46 seconds in
Confidence
This is a goal from a player at the very top of her game, and someone who is brimming with confidence. It’s a technique that can only be attempted by those who have practiced and had fun with this skill many times over, whether in growing up on the parks and streets or in the professional playing environment.
Sam kerr’s demonstration here is also one of the most difficult ways to chip a ball, as the ball is moving away from her. This makes it even harder to get the placement of the standing foot right and the stabbing motion of the kicking foot. There is no room for error.
Chipping technique in my experience as a coach, has been one of the most challenging one for kids to master. Games where you have to chip a ball up for a team mate to volley or header are fun and terrific ways to practice.
One2Pro
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Be The One!
Aaron Tighe
Founder One2Pro