1V1 Skill

"Take Ons" Take Practice
OPTA Stats Zone Analysis

In discussing a topic covered at 192 Square Feet this August (read it here) with one of the LMSC boys at training this week, I thought it might be of interest to look at the pros' numbers and again consider the need for high-volume repetition training environments.  To diffuse the cynicism of those who trust the status quo of youth soccer, and to provide a data-based foundation on which to build a smarter youth soccer model, the ten screen grabs below come from OPTA's "Stats Zone" app, and show the players who dribbled at opponents the most from the 10 EPL games over the weekend of 10/27-28.



The points being, not only do the pros dribble defenders on rare occasions, they are highly selective about where/when to do so.  And while the technical ability is remarkable, it is not applied carelessly; indeed, the most impressive part of the skill these players possess is their intelligence in applying that skill.  In talking with Wyatt at practice, I acknowledged that his ability to dribble is the best on the team...but we had a session-long conversation about when it was effective to use that skill and when it was ineffective.  As with any good craftsman, a tool is used when the job demands it.  A great craftsman can find unique ways to use that tool...but a careless worker will use the tool indiscriminately.

Figuring out the difference, well, that takes something approaching an entire youth career.  Though that process is accelerated when given high-volume repetitions in match-like scenarios.  When the Player Development Series discusses a player's number of touches in a match in part VI (read: PDS Part I, & Part II) we'll see, without a doubt, that matches are not high-volume situations.  They play a crucial role in player development, of course, but real technical mastery simply doesn't come in match situations.

Bale, Suarez, Ben Arfa, Tevez, Hazard, Evra...these names strike terror into the hearts of defenders.  And they apply their immense talents in dribbling between 3 and 15 times per game.  Take out the outlier of Ben Arfa, and it's between 3X and 7X per game.  The success rate is somewhere around 50% though I've not calculated that out.  Simple as it is, via the pass, the ball can be moved so much faster than defenders can run.  Dribbling is a useful tool, but not a particularly easy or efficient one to use.  Witness Hazard's 2-for-4 dribbling performance...

The last point of great relevance is the notion that at the youth level great dribbling amounts to, typically, little more than a fast kid with the ball running by a slower kid.  At the senior level, the defenders are as fast, and those who are not, are very smart.  They must be unbalanced before they can be beaten, and so young players are far better served to learn actual moves and be given the freedom in training to experiment and master a couple that are comfortable.  And, it is worth mentioning that it's not just mechanics; location on the field, observation of the defender, selection of the type of move (feint? 1V1? Change of direction? Long touch & run?), location of the covering defender(s), and, most importantly, once the defender is beaten - then what?  All this must be resolved at some point during the confrontation, and that's a lot to juggle when trying to keep a ball under control, under pressure!

At the upper reaches of the game, good defending trumps attacking almost every time, so attackers must be well-equipped, confident and subtle in their offensive moves.  This is why counter-attacks, set pieces and defensive errors account for so many goals.  Youth soccer tends to see lousy defending beaten by a disparity in speed...the two are worlds apart, and success in latter does not indicate success in the former.