Possession Ball:
Soccer is a passing game. At the High Shool level, we constantly tell players to pass the ball when they have a pass, and to limit dribbling the ball to the opponent's danger zone (from about 20 yards out) and then only to score or a pass to a better placed teammate. There are proper and improper times to pass the ball, however and just kicking the ball to get rid of it without a proper receiver or shot on goal is not the smartest move.
"Possession Ball" refers to players NOT just getting rid of the ball as soon as they get it, or feel threatened by an opponent. Especially in recreational soccer, but certainly not limited to it, coaches want to teach their players to "just kick the ball as hard as you can." In particular, this is addressed to the defensive players (fullback) by the goal. Coaches get nervous because the ball is around their own goal area and to ease their own nerves want to get it out of the "danger" zone. It is desirable for defensive players to "clear" the ball. The difference in clearing and getting rid of it is in the result of the kick. Clearing means there is no danger of a returned ball into the danger zone. Getting rid of the ball may or may not result in a good clear, so the result is unpredictable.
Often, they have a couple of players who have the ability to boot the ball far away from their own goal area, and the spectators go wild with cheers. The player's pride shows, the coach and goal keeper are relieved and the ball comes right back!!!
The player who just booted the ball concentrates only on kicking it as hard as they can, with no sense of direction or placement. If the team plays against an opponent that has been coached to look for this type of defense, they will quickly retrieve the ball and come right back on offense, and the cycle starts all over again till they go past the defense and into the goal.
Possession ball must be taught to players when they are either in offense or defense; i.e. at all times. Teach them to keep possession of the ball unless there is a more advantageous opportunity for the team. If a player has possession of the ball, it doesn't make much sense to get rid of it without purpose other than fear. Teach them to look for opportunities. If they are always cognizant of the situation (by looking up and around), they can easily judge if there is a pass to a team mate that puts the team in a better situation. The player may see that there is no better situation than to keep the ball and go around an approaching opponent. The latter is possession ball. The player decides that it is better for the team to outplay an opponent, than to simply give up the ball out of fear.
It is a concept that is difficult to teach, once players have advanced to age twelve, if they have never been exposed to the concept. Amazingly, if players are taught this concept early in their soccer experience, they not only make better players (physically and mentally), but the team gains from it too.
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