Oct29Written by:admin
10/29/2008 12:31 PM 
In every sport spectators and coaches look for one player who will make a difference, he or she being that player they are paying money to watch perform on the weekends. When that player’s turn comes up whether it is with the bases loaded and two outs, the last second shot in the basketball game or the final minutes of a soccer match, it is he or she that draws the focus. Have you ever asked yourself why those players seem to regal in the spotlight? There are many factors involved but the one that stands out in my mind is their superior level of skill.
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Developing Your Technical Ability
In every sport spectators and coaches look for one player who will make a difference, he or she being that player they are paying money to watch perform on the weekends. When that player’s turn comes up whether it is with the bases loaded and two outs, the last second shot in the basketball game or the final minutes of a soccer match, it is he or she that draws the focus. Have you ever asked yourself why those players seem to regal in the spotlight? There are many factors involved but the one that stands out in my mind is their superior level of skill.
Technique (skill) is the one thing that sets you apart from the pack. It is something that will stay with you and allow you to be noticed. Skill is only obtained by spending hours alone with the ball away from your coaches training sessions. Once a famous tennis professional was asked how long one had to practice the backhand stroke in order to play. His answer always has stayed with me, “In order to just be able to volley back and forth two years, but to be able to play in a competitive match five years!” Skill development is an investment in your future as an athlete.
When working in skill development you will start with three phases, the first being the Comfort Zone. In this phase you will work very comfortably with the ball and one single technique. Let’s take dribbling. Start slowly in a three-yard area with your favorite move. At first your head will be down because of the fear of losing the ball. Get your head up and while dribbling slowly start to look around and identify things so you are not looking at the ball. Maybe you can watch a plane going overhead or the car going by. If you lose the ball, no problems just start over. You must learn to relax with it, make it your friend.
Once you have mastered this go to phase two or Fast Footwork. In this phase you will try the same skill as fast as you can for 30 seconds and then rest. Not only will you start to tire, but also you will notice that errors come more quickly. This is good and means you are doing this phase correctly. Try to relax and breathe even though you are working hard.
Next is phase three or Explosive Technique. Here you do your favorite move either in the Comfort Zone or the Fast Footwork Zone for 10 seconds and then explode out of the box 3-5 yards by lowering your body while you push the ball and accelerate at top speed. Turn and go slowly back into the box and repeat for at least ten times.
This way of self-training can be used to develop any skill. The key to it is to now have the confidence to try using these skills in training and especially during games at top speed. You will know you have put in the proper amount of work when it happens in a game and you say to yourself “How did I do that?” Only you will know the answer!
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