CLUB TRAINING TIME

2 PM to 4 PM, Saturday & Sunday at West Ham Park, Ham Park Rd, off Upton Lane, Forest Gate.

Improve your dribbling.

Whether you're already a demon dribbler or you want to improve your skills, here is the challenge for you!

Lay out six cones (or anything else that could be used as a marker) in a straight line two metres apart (like the diagram).

Dribble the ball between the cones, turning around at the last one and coming back in the same way.

Do this twice, make a note of your time.

Master your the sliding tackle

The sliding tackle is a very effective skill tackle when properly timed, It also looks very good, but remember that this is a last ditch tackle, as it leaves the defender laying on the ground and temporarily out of the game.

The steps help to master this tackle.

Step One
The tackle from behind has been outlawed from the game so you need to aim to make your tackle from the side and across the path of your opponent.
If you are chasing back towards your own goal and your opponent is ahead of you then you will have to get your tackling foot around the side or it will be deemed a foul.
Step Two
Use the leg furthest away from your opponent and try to pass or hook the ball away as you slide in. Whether the tackle has been successful or not, once the challenge has been made get back up on your feet as quickly as possible.

Master Your Scoring Header

Unless you work on your attacking heading then you will waste loads of chances by heading over the bar, here is the opportunity to improve it.

Step One
Get into line with the ball as quickly as possible. Try to time your run so that you come from behind a defender and get in front of them just as you are meeting the ball.

Or if the pass, or cross, is deeper then take a step back away from the defender and create yourself some space that way. As you are in an attacking area, with the chance of scoring or creating a goal, you should be really positive in your attempt to win the ball.

Step Two
Head the ball with your forehead, making contact with the centre or the top half of the ball to send it downwards. If you make your jump early then you can 'hang' in the air.

And that will make it very difficult for a defender to beat you to the ball without fouling you.

Improve your short passing
Passing is a great way of getting the ball upfield and reduces the risk of giving the ball away.

The sidefoot (inside of the foot) provides the greatest accuracy for passing.

But it is difficult to generate much power and it is also easy for an opponent to see where exactly you are intending to pass the ball.

Due to both of these reasons try to use this skill just for short passes.