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Completely agree about "visual stunts" parts. You will find that there are world's best freestylers ( people who can do insane tricks with ball at their feet) w

Completely agree about "visual stunts" parts. You will find that there are world's best freestylers ( people who can do insane tricks with ball at their feet) who don't even make it to a 2nd division league.

ptaipale 10y ago
And that's completely reasonable, because freestyling with ball is just a different sport. It can also be amazing to watch, some guys are incredibly skillful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH42LEhcV3Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH42LEhcV3Y (beware, the sound track is irritating) Great football players often could make some reasonable freestyling that impresses laymen, but they don't get even close to a dedicated spacialist. And the dedicated specialist will loose the ball in an actual game quickly, because in freestyling, you don't learn to shield from a tackle and you're probably not good at all in running 90 minutes. Moreover, football is a game where you have 22 players on the pitch, and at most one player has total control of the ball at any one time. Most of the game play is moving without a ball - but still it's very important; particularly, defending is all about where you are and how you move, but also in attacking play, the ball-less players make the opportunities.
- Bartweiss 10y ago
  Honestly, it feels like the difference between synchronized and 'regular' swimming, or ice dancing and speed skating. The only difference is that freestyling hasn't been equally established as a distinct activity. In every case, the regular sport requires some of the technique and control of the performance sport, but comes with a rigid demand for efficiency.
- parthdesai 10y ago
  Yes definitely. It's just that to a normal person who doesn't know the sport, it might seem that being good at freestyle translated to being good at regular soccer/football.
- swasheck 10y ago
  i've found that, so far, the hardest things to teach u10-u12 teams are: a) spacing b) timing runs c) speed dribble
  - ptaipale 10y ago
    These seem to be the challenges with u17 or u19 teams as well... Perhaps the speed dribble is done by that time - whatever can be done - and the emphasis is on spacing when defending: "Get closer!" (or whatever the coach shouts in English, ours goes NÄRMARE!)

ptaipale 10y ago

And that's completely reasonable, because freestyling with ball is just a different sport. It can also be amazing to watch, some guys are incredibly skillful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH42LEhcV3Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH42LEhcV3Y (beware, the sound track is irritating) Great football players often could make some reasonable freestyling that impresses laymen, but they don't get even close to a dedicated spacialist. And the dedicated specialist will loose the ball in an actual game quickly, because in freestyling, you don't learn to shield from a tackle and you're probably not good at all in running 90 minutes. Moreover, football is a game where you have 22 players on the pitch, and at most one player has total control of the ball at any one time. Most of the game play is moving without a ball - but still it's very important; particularly, defending is all about where you are and how you move, but also in attacking play, the ball-less players make the opportunities.

Bartweiss 10y ago
Honestly, it feels like the difference between synchronized and 'regular' swimming, or ice dancing and speed skating. The only difference is that freestyling hasn't been equally established as a distinct activity. In every case, the regular sport requires some of the technique and control of the performance sport, but comes with a rigid demand for efficiency.
parthdesai 10y ago
Yes definitely. It's just that to a normal person who doesn't know the sport, it might seem that being good at freestyle translated to being good at regular soccer/football.
swasheck 10y ago
i've found that, so far, the hardest things to teach u10-u12 teams are: a) spacing b) timing runs c) speed dribble
- ptaipale 10y ago
  These seem to be the challenges with u17 or u19 teams as well... Perhaps the speed dribble is done by that time - whatever can be done - and the emphasis is on spacing when defending: "Get closer!" (or whatever the coach shouts in English, ours goes NÄRMARE!)