Identifying Skills

Passing:

Passing accurately is an important asset to football and is one of the keys to winning a game. Having a higher level passing skill, s the quickest way to getting more opportunities to score a goal, this skill is greatly important in order to play a team game and manipulate your opponents.

Shooting:

To be able to shoot with enough power and accuracy is a great skill for strikers to have, as they will have most of the chances to be the one scoring. Shooting is an essential skill to football, without it, it would be hard to win a game.

Accuracy:

Being accurate is a skill that all players need to learn. The outcome of accuracy will vastly improve the performance and moral of the players. Having a player who can get the ball directly to another player will increase the motivation of the team.

Dribbling:

Dribbling a ball around your opponents is also a good skill to have. The ball can be controlled skillfully in between players through dribbling; it is a good way to get out of tight corners and away from opponents.

Heading:

Heading the ball needs accurate skill (and a hard nut) to maneuver the ball away from oncoming opposition. Many goals have been headed into the net. This is particularly good when there is no room for the ball to fall on the ground amongst lots of feet.

Tackling:

This is an important component for a player to have especially the defenders as they will need to be able to handle the opposition, it would be beneficial for the teams morale and motivation knowing they have a few superb defenders.

Strategies/Tactics:

The team needs to practice together with other teams to learn how to make decisions on the pitch and before a game, on how best to tackle the other team.

Listening to their team coach and working out a plan of attack i.e. who passes to whom, where each player should be on the field, the main scorers and who the defenders have to cover.

Having a game plan helps to build up trust and morale amongst the team players.

Fitness:

Footballers have to be fit. It is not just running after a ball.

A player should have stamina to last 90 minutes of the game. Have no breathing or heart problems, not to be overweight, as this can cause strain on the heart and joints. Be agile and have fast reactions, good balance and coordination.

Rules & Regulations:

Players should be aware of rules and regulations of the game, for their own safety and that of others. To know what role they play and where they can and can’t go on the pitch (Offside). How they should conduct themselves in front of others and respect the views and decisions of those in charge.

Illegal substances and alcohol are not permitted and a player could face suspension from the game, so should be aware of all rules and not to break them.