01 Jul Receiving (Amortisation) with the Chest

July Coaching Newsletter – 2016

Receiving (Amortisation) with the Chest

During the game, attacking players are constantly receiving the ball with the foot, thigh, head, and chest. The chest is the body part with the largest surface area and can be used during the game to receive in attack or defence.

The secret of successful receiving (amortisation) with the chest is to treat the ball gently and have the receiving part of the body relaxed and loose.

The technique of receiving requires the player to get in flight of the ball and anticipate the speed and place of contact. The ideal part of the chest to receive the ball is the central part of the breastbone (sternum); however many players prefer to use the soft side muscle.

There are two ways in which a player can receive the ball with the chest. The quicker way is to have the ball bounce down; the slower way is to have the ball bounce up from the chest. With the quicker way the player must get in flight of the ball with elbows and hands raised for balance.

At the moment of contact the hips have a backward movement with the hands moving forward to arch the chest bone down. The ball should quickly drop to the ground under control. With the ball bouncing up from the chest the ball is usually arriving at a greater height. The technique here is the same as with all other techniques of cushioning or amortisation. This technique involves the part of the receiving chest moving to meet the ball and at the moment of contact withdrawing a little slower than the speed of the ball, bringing it under control. The disadvantage here is that the ball will bounce up from the chest and at that moment it is temporarily out of control before it drops to the ground. If the player is pressed when receiving with the chest, it is wise for him or her to have the arms out and slightly bent to feel where the nearby defending player is and to create playing space between the ball and defender and ‘screen’ the ball. With this technique he or she is able to keep the ball away from the defending player for whom it will be difficult to gain possession. The correct breathing technique is also important as the ball arrives to be received by the chest.

As the ball arrives the player should inhale and at the moment of contact exhale. In both of the above examples of receiving (amortisation) with the chest, the eyes are fixed on the ball, hands raised to the side and the body relaxed. In today’s modern game with the reduced time and space an attacking player will have to receive the ball with the chest, it is important that they look around and seek solutions in advance on what they can do with the ball before it arrives. This is an important factor when coaching all elements, not just receiving (amortisation) with the chest

Common Faults – Corrections

1. The eyes are not fixed on the ball.
2. The player does not exhale at the moment of contact.
3. The player does not get in flight of the ball.
4. The hands are not raised and to the side of the body for balance.
5. The muscles are too tight and the body is not relaxed to cushion the force.
6. The player does not withdraw the chest at the moment of contact resulting in the ball bouncing off.