In The Vision Of A Champion, Anson Dorrance talks about the importance of becoming a "student of the game."
You consistently hear the same refrain: watch the best soccer. But why? The only way you're going to play high-level soccer is by seeing it first, because you're not going to be able to do it until you understand it. A good coach can talk to you about it, but you need to see it demonstrated in order to imitate it when you play.
Click the "Read More" to find a couple ways to quickly become a student of the game.
U.S. National Team member Brandi Chastain plays soccer with an amazing level of sophistication. She play with a lot of subtlety and wonderful deception. She also understands the rhythm, of the game. She plays at a pace appropriate to the situation; that is, she knows when to speed up or slow down. She has these abilities because she is one of the best students of the game. Brandi is famous for her passionate interest in watching high-level soccer, and it shows in her playing.
Becoming a student of the game is one sure way to work on your soccer understanding, and will also impact on your soccer sense. This means watching, reading, and learning - in the same way you would with any other subject of interest or importance to you.
To study the game means to really watch a game. I'm not saying you have to dutifully watch all 90 minutes of a game, but you should build up your high-level soccer diet so you can have a critical eye - really search for aspects that will impact your development.
So now you now the why, but what about the HOW first...
There are all kinds of ways to watch soccer. One is to look at the artistry, that is, the flair and creativity. I think every true fan watches in this fashion. That's how most of us are drawn into the game, which is great way to view it.
When you watch a game, see what parts you like. Also, notice the players who are exciting to you. Take it a step further. Find your favorite players and make or buy videotapes(OR look up on YouTube -nk) of them playing, and learn their moves. Practice them in the backyard or your basement.
For me it was Diego Maradona, I remember seeing him play in the 1986 World Cup Final. He was left footed, like I was. He was the smallest player on the pitch, like I was. And nothing made him happier then dribbling or passing around players, and that's what I wanted to be as a soccer player.
Anson talks about a second deeper way to watch soccer...
A more sophisticated way to watch the game is for its rhythm. Notice how the players calm the game down if it's too frantic, or explode if a defender or defense is lulled or ball-watching. Then, you can fully appreciate that at its best, soccer is basically a game of surges and tranquilities, a rhythm of slow motion and acceleration. It consists of quick, explosive moves combined with slower action in which someone gets the ball, cleans it up, slows it down, recomposes, and then does something dynamic again. It is this change of pace that makes a player or a team unpredictable and hard to defend.
Why is rhythm important? Because a game without rhythm or someone sophisticated enough to control the flow turns into kickball or a track meet. A game with one predictable speed.
A savvy student of the game, one who has studied the game, understands its rhythms and how to create them. They know how to lull a defender with a shift of weight or how to slow up a frantic attack to get more players involved or how to slow up attackers in midfield by denying the right passing lanes. To learn these you have to seek out the highest level you can - that means the college game, WPS, WPSL, TV soccer from England, Spain, Holland, Italy.
Another way to look at a game is in terms of shape. Shape is the positioning of the players, or, the attacking and defensive construct (in other words - watch away from the ball & look at players that play the positions you want to and watch the decisions they make -nk). Every team's shape can be different, and yet still be effective. Differing shapes is one of the elements of soccer's variety. Again, at lower levels you can see bad shape (e.g., players bunched into the center of the field). You want to study the game with good shape (e.g., players pushed up and spread wide while on attack), then emulate what you see.
You are a work in soccer progress. Learning the various aspects of the game will mold you. Make sure you model your soccer palette off the elite players. From that palette you can create your own soccer personality.
