5 Answers
If you are a defender, like I was, you can try a few things to make yourself more useful to the team:
- If you can't slide tackle, don't try. A man on the ground is less useful than one standing in the way being a blocking post.
- If you can't block tackle, don't square up to an attacker, especially a pacy winger. Stand off and let them run at you, then use your body to steer them away from the danger zones.
- Deny space. If the action is nowhere near you, you're still able to influence things by occupying an area the attackers might want to use. Learn to read their attack and adapt.
- Work on your interception skills. I used to play at a time when tackling was prioritised, and I sucked, mostly because I didn't follow my own advice above. These days I think I'd be pretty good, because tackling is disappearing from the game, and being replaced by interceptions, which I happen to be pretty decent at. To be a good defender in the modern game, you have to become an expert observer and be able to predict the ball's path. If you can do that, and get there in time, you can win the ball back for your team, then give it to a better player to do something with.
- Be a distraction. Any player in any position can occupy the attentions of an opponent, simply by being there. A defender can pop up front during a corner and give the defence someone else to mark or keep an eye on. This can enable stronger players to do what they do. Shane Long is doing a very effective job of this at Southampton this season, running in behind defenders, peeling them away from a less obvious threat. (see: Jack Cork's goal in the 8-0 win at Sunderland. Long completely took the defender with him, giving Cork acres of space to ghost in at the back post and sidefoot home.)
- Be a leader. Learn to watch and understand the game, and become a team commentator from the back. Call out where people are, whether an attacker is closing in from an unseen angle, who your fellow defenders should mark at a free kick, etc. Giving instructions is invaluable.
1. Run, run, run.
If you dont have the technical skills, you can still be a weapon for your team through your determination to be everywhere on the pitch.
I have played football over the past two years with a player on my team who literally couldn hit one ball straight. But he became a weapon by simply running after every ball and going into every tackle, even though he knew he might lose the ball.
2. Use your body.
It's legit, if you cant dribble. Just put your body between the ball and your opponent. Try to keep one foot on the ball and bump your opponent away with your back - not your arms.
3. Play often.
Match practice is key. You get a feeling for how the ball moves only through experience. Try to play as often as you can, take a ball with you whereever you go and kick it.
4. Pass the ball.
Don't try anything tricky. Just play the easiest pass possible, e.g. to your closest teammate. Long passes are more likely to be intercepted. And (1) run, run, run!
5. Play as a forward.
You can play without the pressure of costing your team a goal if you play mostly at the upper end of the pitch. Try to challenge the opponents defenders. Get on their nerves. And (1) run, run, run!
That should help.
If you dont have the technical skills, you can still be a weapon for your team through your determination to be everywhere on the pitch.
I have played football over the past two years with a player on my team who literally couldn hit one ball straight. But he became a weapon by simply running after every ball and going into every tackle, even though he knew he might lose the ball.
2. Use your body.
It's legit, if you cant dribble. Just put your body between the ball and your opponent. Try to keep one foot on the ball and bump your opponent away with your back - not your arms.
3. Play often.
Match practice is key. You get a feeling for how the ball moves only through experience. Try to play as often as you can, take a ball with you whereever you go and kick it.
4. Pass the ball.
Don't try anything tricky. Just play the easiest pass possible, e.g. to your closest teammate. Long passes are more likely to be intercepted. And (1) run, run, run!
5. Play as a forward.
You can play without the pressure of costing your team a goal if you play mostly at the upper end of the pitch. Try to challenge the opponents defenders. Get on their nerves. And (1) run, run, run!
That should help.
Few simple steps you could follow to improve your game
- Choose a position: I always knew I was a defender, I prefer to play defensive mid-fielder because I'm good at counter attacks. But I often step back when I know my team has good attackers who can score. Also, choose winger positions if you know you can run fast and always choose the side of your weaker foot.
- Play often: Sometimes, the only player you can find is yourself, do not lose motivation - go to a nearby park and start kicking it. You might be able to find someone who'd like to join you. If nothing, atleast you'll burn a few calories. Try Find your people - Meetup, and try to play a few pick-up games.
- Pass often: The more you pass, the more you receive. Don't be afraid to ask for the ball or steal it from the opponent. Look for gaps, exploit them and walk tall!
- Run: If you are a defender, that is your best weapon. Surprise the player who possesses the ball. If you are an attacker, run with the ball!
There are a few things you should keep in mind:
1. The moving ball is much more dangerous than a stagnant ball, as in, if the ball stays with one player for long, it becomes much easier for opponents to judge how the attack will run. Besides, you're not very good at football anyway. Both of these are reason enough for you to be motivated to not keep the ball with you for long. Don't dally - look for a free teammate in an advantageous position and pass it. As you get better, you will be able to time your passes so that the opponent does not get the opportunity to track you when you've released the ball, so you can run into space to call back for the ball at a better position.
If you can't find free teammates, dribble a bit, draw some defender toward yourself and keep creating space till you find someone free - at some point or the other, a teammate will be in position.
2. Learn to fake body movements. It doesn't take too much effort to develop pass and shot fakes. Feinting while receiving a pass also helps throw off an opposing defender.
3. Develop your first touch so that you are already taking the ball in your desired direction of movement.
4. When not in possession, guarding an opponent in a one-on-one, make your opponent dribble in the direction advantageous to you, depending on the scenario. Also, while defending off-the-ball, keep narrowing the field of play (whatever the size) by coming infield. This cuts the attackers' angles and proves advantageous. If the ball goes wide, you as a team can shift to that side of the pitch.
1. The moving ball is much more dangerous than a stagnant ball, as in, if the ball stays with one player for long, it becomes much easier for opponents to judge how the attack will run. Besides, you're not very good at football anyway. Both of these are reason enough for you to be motivated to not keep the ball with you for long. Don't dally - look for a free teammate in an advantageous position and pass it. As you get better, you will be able to time your passes so that the opponent does not get the opportunity to track you when you've released the ball, so you can run into space to call back for the ball at a better position.
If you can't find free teammates, dribble a bit, draw some defender toward yourself and keep creating space till you find someone free - at some point or the other, a teammate will be in position.
2. Learn to fake body movements. It doesn't take too much effort to develop pass and shot fakes. Feinting while receiving a pass also helps throw off an opposing defender.
3. Develop your first touch so that you are already taking the ball in your desired direction of movement.
4. When not in possession, guarding an opponent in a one-on-one, make your opponent dribble in the direction advantageous to you, depending on the scenario. Also, while defending off-the-ball, keep narrowing the field of play (whatever the size) by coming infield. This cuts the attackers' angles and proves advantageous. If the ball goes wide, you as a team can shift to that side of the pitch.
1. Stamina : Few sports need the stamina that is required to excel in football. You have to be at your physical best for 90 minutes which is not easy. So follow a healthy diet and establish an intensive workout routine and stick to it. Even if you technical skills are not the best, your stamina can make you a very effective player. Especially the players who are not technically very sound will be tricked often by those who are. In that case your stamina will help you to track back and re-capture the ball.
2. Skills : To develop the basic skills like dribbling, passing, free kicks etc. you will have undergo skills training, preferably under a coach. But you can always watch training videos on YouTube and try them yourselves. Skills tend to take some time to be grasped so you will need to be patient.
3. Practice : Last but not the least, you will have to keep practicing. No matter how good you are in training, you will need some match practice to test your skills and figure out what are you good at. Every position requires some specific skill sets which can only be sharpened by repeated match practice. Remember the old saying, "Practice makes a man perfect."
Good luck. Stay healthy.
