Trapping

The game I’d like the boys to watch this week is last year’s Champion’s League game between Real Madrid and Ajax (Leg 2). Here’s a description of the game: Ajax's young team came of age and earned the respect of all of Europe with this amazing performance at the Bernabeu. After drawing 1-1 in the first-leg in Amsterdam, Real Madrid were heavy favorites to progress to the quarter-finals, but the likes of De Jong, Tadic, Ziyech, De Ligt and Neres came to play and produced a scintillating performance that will live long in the memory.

Trapping is our main focus this week. There are several main ways we can trap the ball in the game of soccer, the most obvious being that of the foot. We can use the inside, outside, top, and bottom of the foot. Other ways are with our thighs, chest, shoulders, and head.

We will focus on ways to trap the ball with the feet, thighs, and chest this week. We will also combine them, using a thigh to foot trap or a chest to foot trap. My goal for them during the online period of time is to get as many quality touches on the ball as possible in 30 minutes. So, we’ll also be doing more dribbling exercises.

Not only will this improve our boys’ ball skills, but it will also help them condition their legs and bodies. If any other child of yours wishes to participate, they’re welcome to. I’d love to have them.

Thank you all for being such great people and raising incredible kids. It’s been a lot of fun doing the online ball mastery sessions with the boys.

See you tonight.