Definitions:  (See back page for more definitions)
Technical Ability


Ball Control: 
You must be able to bring a ball played to you under
control instantly and smoothly.  This is the ability to collect and move in
a different direction without stopping the ball completely, yet still
maintaining it securely.  Develop the technique of receiving a pass at top
speed.  This means not slowing down to collect a ball coming on the ground,
bouncing, or in the air. You must be able to protect the ball by shielding
it and developing deception in order to get rid of your opponent.


Passing: 
You must be able to successfully complete short and long
range passes.  This incorporates all of your ball skills, including
heading, bending, chipping, and the ability to drive the ball to a partner.
You will find that at a high level, it is easier to control and make quick
decisions with a ball that is driven to you, rather than weakly played.
Develop the skill of one-touch passing. 

Dribbling: 
This is the
ability to feint, burst past opponents, change directions and speed at
will, and break through packed defensive lines.  Can you exhibit quick
feet, combined with a sense of comfort under pressure, to penetrate into
space to open opportunities for yourself or a partner? 

Heading: 
The
ability to head at goal after crosses, heading high, wide, and deep for
defensive clearances, heading balls as a one-touch pass (both into space or
to a partner’s feet) in order to create shooting chances.  Can you
effectively demonstrate the ability to do this under the duress of the
game? 

Finishing: 
Nothing makes more of an impression on people than
the skill of goal scoring.  This aspect takes in the correct technique of
striking the ball in various ways; driving low balls, hitting volleys,
half-volleys, half-chances, chipping, bending, heading, etc..  Good goal
scorers can also finish with their chest, heel, toe, and thigh.  Coaches
are looking for that player who can exhibit composed aggressiveness, swift
and secure decision taking at the opportune times.  The successful goal
scorer has the mentality of a great used-car salesman, very aggressive and
not afraid of failure. 

Tactical Awareness 
Tactical insight
incorporates the anticipation, reading, and execution of certain clues that
happen during possession and non-possession of the ball. 

In Attack:

A.  Player not in possession:  
1.  Makes themselves available for the
ball, perhaps by a diagonal run or a crossover run. 
2.  Realizes when it
is crucial to offer close support and when to stay away. 
3.  Recognizes
the proper time to execute “take-overs” and “overlaps”.  
B.  Player in
possession: 
1.  Has good peripheral vision, recognizing the correct time
to switch the ball to the other side of the field. 
2.  Has good
penetrating vision, allowing them to see and utilize players who are far
down the field. 
3.  Recognizes the correct time to play directly, and
when it is important to hold the ball (shielding or dribbling), or when to
run at top speed past players opening up passing angles for his team. 
4.
Sees opportunities to play “one-twos”. 
In Defense: 
During the immediate
pursuit, and desire to regain possession of the ball, the player should
recognize: 
1.  When to race forward to intercept the pass. 
2.  When to
mark the opponent tight in order to discourage the ball from being passed
to them (pressure). 
3.  When,  where, and how (posture) to tackle. 
4.
When to jockey the ball carrier and force them away from the goal
(patience). 
5.  The quickest avenue of attack upon regaining the ball.


Physical Aspects

Endurance: 
The ability of a player to commit
themselves diligently throughout the game in attack and defense with no
sign of fatigue and impaired ball control.  That player must constantly be
running into open spaces demanding the ball or pulling and committing
opposing players to create openings.  Even though this is also a tactical
commitment, it will only be successful if you have the endurance
capabilities to run for 60 to 90 minutes.  The coach will be examining your
physical exertion as you are being exposed to tactical problems you are
trying to solve in the game. 

Speed: 
The ability to accelerate quickly
and maintain that acceleration of the various lengths that player’s
position demands.  As an example, the forwards need acceleration with
changes of speed over three to twenty yards. Elements include: 
 1.  Pure
straight-ahead running speed. 
 2.  Lateral speed (changing direction). 

3.  Change of speed (slow to fast, fast to half speed).  
 4.
Deceleration (“stopping on a dime”). 
After these basics are attained,
speed must be practiced with the ball! 

Agility: 
The ability to change
directions quickly.  Twisting, turning while dribbling, readjusting your
body to control an awkwardly bouncing ball, and getting up quickly after a
tackle are a few examples.  This area is enhanced by flexibility exercises
such as stretching, ball gymnastics, and skill training with the ball.
Conditioning training must be combined with skill and tactical training!


Strength:  
The ability to effectively use your body to win physical
confrontations. Strength is exhibited during tackling (1 vs. 1), winning
the aerial duel (heading), and changing directions effectively (explosion).
It is also important to learn how to effectively use that strength to your
advantage as is demonstrated in using your arms to hold a player off while
running at top speed with the ball or in shooting for power.  Much of your
strength and power training can be combined with technique training!


Personality traits
Each coach loves to identify key players with
personalities and qualities that cause them to become team leaders.  The
following personality traits are the most recognizable: 
1.  Drive:  Pure
will power, eager to achieve goals, a burning desire to achieve success,
strong self-motivation, commitment, dedication, determination. 
2.
Aggressiveness:  “Go-getter”, strong self-assertions, takes risks, wants to
dominate opponents, works hard and ruthless in attack and defense, Danger -
bad losers, inclined to retaliation and revenge fouls, loses self-control,
general lack of discipline. 
3.  Determination:  Seeks the direct way
towards goal, no compromising, doesn’t hesitate when making decisions,
willingness, fully concentrated, success oriented. 
4.  Responsibility:
Intelligent, can read the game tactically (anticipation), conscientious,
reliable, wants security, cooperative, ready for compromise, stable and
skillful player.  
5.  Leadership:  Intelligence, dedication, pride, bears
responsibility for the team, influences the environment, anticipation,
intuition, independent and spontaneous, convincing and dominating player,
hard worker, no surrender, composed, self-controlled, endurable,
communicative, respected, trustful. 
6.  Self-Confidence:  Secure ball
control and determined application of skills and tactics under pressure
(both external and self-imposed).  Danger - these players tend to underrate
opposing players, show a lack of willingness to be coached, and can become
easily complacent. 
7.  Mental Toughness:  Persistency, consistency, and
commitment throughout the game, no surrender, tough self-assertion. 
8.
Coachability:  Ready to learn and to achieve goals, self-motivated,
attentive and receptive, willingness, interested, spontaneous, committing
themselves, likes to discuss problems, hard worker, self-disciplined,
creative, constructive, progressive.