News-Leader Assistant Editor Ashley Chandler
As the ball sails 50 to 75 yards down the field, there’s little time to think about how you’re going to receive it. It’s all about instinct and timing.
You are running at nearly a full sprint. You know your first touch will make or break the attack.
You are determined to get the first touch on the ball, but it’s clear your opponent is just as motivated. The ball hasn’t reached you yet, but you’re shoulder to shoulder, already battling the defender for space.
The timing must be perfect.
You can play it to your teammate attacking on the other side, attempt to beat the defender one-on-one, or better yet, take the shot for a perfect upper-90 bomb. Which choice provides the highest likelihood of producing a goal for the team? No time to debate, only act.
The ball hits your cleat like your head on a pillow when you are exhausted. You make the ball look like a marshmallow. It lands the perfect distance in front of you.
The touch couldn’t have been better, any closer to your body; you would have had no choice but to make the pass; and too far away, you’re now in a foot race with the defender.
It’s the perfect set up.
You take one step, then another to plant, and you swing through the ball the way you’ve practiced a thousand times before. The strike feels solid, the ball drills just inside the upper right corner of the goal, kissing the post before it hits the net.
Elation ensues; you feel your teammates smash into you in celebration.
Soccer instinct doesn’t come naturally. There’s no such thing as being a natural at soccer.
There may be extraordinary athletes and those that understand soccer quickly, but no matter what, it takes hard work and dedication to get to the top of the game.
As you watch the world’s best soccer players compete on the sport’s biggest stage, remember this: Every single one of these players are dedicated and hard-working people that have devoted much of themselves to the game they love.
I started playing soccer when I was six years old. Years of my life were devoted to bettering my craft — perfecting my first touch, my dominant and weak foot, one-touch passing, my shot accuracy and power, and my soccer IQ. Growing up, I nearly always had a ball at my feet. During college, I stayed after practice more times than I can count.
In case it’s not clear; most people don’t keep playing competitive soccer unless they absolutely love the game.
And when a player puts in the work, it’s evident. The ultimate goal for any high-level player is to take these skills to the World Cup.
Some fans may consider soccer moments, such as the one I illustrated, as “routine plays” for those at that level of the game — something any high-level striker can perform. It only gets impressive when they bust out the fancy foot skills. But don’t forget, this is because these players worked to make those plays routine.
Same goes for the goalies, defenders and midfielders. Every clean first touch, every perfectly placed cross, was calculated years prior during practice.
They trained vigorously with their teammates — stringing together passes and putting pressure on each other — but they also tested their foot skills in pick-up games with friends, and set goals to accomplish when they were alone.
These perfect beautiful moments, especially executed in a World Cup game, validate all the hard work.
As I watch games and highlights, I keep thinking about the tremendous amount of time and effort these players have committed to the game.
Of course, I want USA to go as far as possible, but I am more interested in watching the perfect first touches; the quick reactions during 50/50 plays; textbook saves by the keepers; gorgeous passing sequences; perfectly timed through balls; and perfectly placed shots.
It truly is a beautiful game, and as you watch the World Cup, remember to enjoy the beauty.
Also, GO U S A ! ! !