Reading’s Deanne Rose creates and scores a fantastic goal in the WSL. The forward carries the ball from inside their teams half of the pitch, driving into space, before picking the right time to play a 1-2 with a teammate before finishing well. Decision making was key in this goal, the player chose the right moments to dribble, pass, then shoot.
England’s Jude Bellingham scores for Borussia Dortmund against Manchester City in the Champions League. Watch how the midfielder anticipates the flight of the ball, between 2 static defenders to get a touch on the ball right in front of the goalkeeper to give them no chance on saving it. A great example of how a forward player gambling can pay off.
In these highlights from West Ham v Tottenham in the Premier League watch the West Ham (in the claret shirts) goal, what do you notice about it?
The goal comes from a quickly taken throw in, 7 seconds after it is taken the ball is in the net. Watch again, keep your eyes peeled for the West Ham’s right back, the number 5, who runs over and takes the throw in quickly before the Tottenham team are set up. As the player takes the throw in the Tottenham player in front of them has their back to the ball, they have no idea the throw in is about to be taken! From this we can learn, when it’s our throw ins look for opportunities to get the play restarted quickly to catch the opposition off guard. When we’re defending get set quickly and try to always face the ball.