18 Nov Chipping the Ball

June Coaching Newsletter – 2016

Chipping the Ball

Chipping the ball is one of the more difficult technical elements to learn and execute during the game. Often during the game the direct short pass to a supporting player cannot be made. If this occurs then chipping the ball is an excellent solution. Chipping the ball is usually done to lift the ball over a short distance into goal, over an advancing player, into space or to a supporting player.

A good example would be ‘chipping’ the goalkeeper when he or she comes off their goal line. With chipping the ball it has to be understood that it is not about power but technique and is usually used in a 1:1 situation. The technique is something of a ‘digging’ motion where the full instep acts as a wedge making contact with the bottom of the ball. As a result the backspin from the ball will cause it to rise over the short distance.

To make the ball rise quickly with the backspin, it must be struck well below the horizontal axis. The supporting foot is placed slightly back and to the side of the ball, the toes pointing in the direction of the intended kick and players should avoid leaning over the ball but be more upright or lean slightly backward. The hands and elbows are raised to the side for balance while the eyes are fixed on the ball. The technique of the kicking foot involves a slight swing from the hip with a quick sharp snap of the knee with no follow through, which is simply kicking the ball and leaving the foot where the ball was.

The toes first make contact with the ball followed by the lower part of the full instep with the sole of the foot keeping horizontal to the ground. If the ball is struck correctly it will have a backspin and rise quickly from the ground. This backspin also makes it easier for a team mate to control as a ball spinning backward is less likely to run away and out of control from the receiver when contact is made.

Common Faults – Corrections

1. There is no sudden snap of the knee
2. Eyes are not fixed on the ball
3. The supporting leg is too close to the ball.
4. Hands and elbows are not raised and to the side for balance.
5. The toes and sole of the foot do not keep horizontal to the ground when the ball is struck
6. The player raises the toes and foot after the kick instead of blocking the follow through.
7. The ball is kicked too low with the toes hitting into the ground.

The strong message in youth development is that technical development should not be ignored at the expense of tactical and physical development. Coaches who claim that past players were technically and tactically better than the player of today’s modern game are living in the past.

The fact is, today’s players face a much harder challenge, because of the reduced time and playing space they have in the game. As a result young players must practice their techniques with constant repetition and master them until they’re perfect.