The way the game is today where teams play with flat back lines there are more opportunities for “High Noon” situations. To get good at it all you have to do is practice; practice and practice in game situations then see the rewards. “High Noon’s” followed by “high fives
Art of the Breakaway
By Graham Ramsay (2004)
Soccer’s version of high noon is the breakaway, I versus 1, striker against the ‘keeper. This is a test of nerve, speed of thought and action by the attacker.
Lets look at some of the key elements that will turn this moment into a shooting opportunity. They are:-
(1) RUNNING with the BALL – That means using the outsides and top of the feet to maintain speed and a natural stride. Using the insides tends to slow you down. The ball has to be “out of their feet” in order to generate a fast break. As they say “be quick but don’t hurry.”
(2) VISION UP – “Can I score from here?” is the constant question to ask. Only by keeping their vision up can they make that decision.
The ‘keeper might be to far off their ‘line and liable to be chipped but if you don’t look you can’t see.
As they say, “too see only the ball is to see nothing at all.”
(3) DRIBBLE or SHOOT? - Drive directly towards the goal and put their‘keeper under pressure. Around 4 to 6 feet a key decision has to be made to either -
a. Shoot – Generally shoot “early ”- as this often surprises the goalie. Use Romario’s Rules – Shoot Romario Low and use his secret weapon – the toe-poke as there’s no wind up for the ‘keeper to cue off when the shot is made.
b. Dribble – You have to dribble around & past the ‘keeper to score. Many attackers work too hard and fail. All is needed is a real fake to shoot hard and get wide of the goalie to create space to shoot.
Think of basketball and a “pull away jumper” and you have the same idea to get the same end result.
(4) SUPPORT PLAY – If it stays a 1 versus 1 duel, striker versus the‘keeper can totally focus on the ball and the attacker. The goaliehas a good chance to making a save. What they don’t want are other teammates joining in to create options.
That’s major problems even for the best goalies. It also helps is there is strong verbal support,e.g., England’s 4th. Goal in the 1966 World Cup Final where Alan Ball was screaming for the ball off Geoff Hurst butHurst used the screams as a decoy. Plus the shot could rebound and support is vital again.
It’s important for any supporting teammate to not run into an offside position and lose a goal through stupidity.
The way the game is today where teams play with flat back lines there are more opportunities for “High Noon” situations. To get good at it all you have to do is practice; practice and practice in game situations then see the rewards. “High Noon’s” followed by “high fives
