http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om1iQUZ-pfg&feature=related


I have a dilemma with some players.

The above exercise, demonstrated by Barca head coach, Tito Vilanova, I have found to be a useful training tool, like many on here. This is for first touch and accurate passing involving both feet.

I thought all players in a squad I'm coaching would do this easily. Yet some have shown up some awful body shape deficiencies and really struggle with this technique, in isolation, as shown in the video. Nevertheless, most of these guys are effective at passing the ball when playing under pressure in games.

Conventional Skills Acquisition Program doctrine is that don't change something that works efficiently. However, I feel like some players may be held back later on. I'm concerned that in terms of having deficient technique, it could limit their options.

I also notice in the the video, that one of the Barcelona players in particular, doesn't put his opposite arm across the body from the foot he is passing with. His body shape is sound though.

At a recent SAP course, some of us asked the instructor to demonstrate copybook striking the ball practice, particularly for gaining distance. The position of the arm opposite the striking foot was new to all the participating coaches, bar one.

We now have a number of high level rep and club coaches who view 442 Performance. I just wonder their thoughts, as well as any others, on this matter.

I've coached karate and been the recipent of high level tennis coaching. Explicit technique development is paramount in these sports.