Ball Mastery - The Benefits of Unopposed Practice

Ball Mastery and unopposed practice...

Does it work?

Ball Mastery gives players an increased number of touches on the ball, compared to match-based scenarios or games, but does its unopposed nature make the training relevant and beneficial to developing footballers?

It's a question that we have been asked, and heard asked, numerous times. I can understand the thought that players will develop most in game-based situations but that development, in those scenarios, comes when they are much more confident and developed with their grasp, and control, of the ball. How many times have you seen players, who aren't confident on the ball, let the game pass them by?

I think in England over the years we have seen players not confident on the ball at the very top level. We would reach the World Cup games and sit back, beginning to hit the ball long away from our own goal. We looked rushed - tactical plans seemed to be thrown out the window. Those players at the very, very top had practised game-based scenarios constantly: 11v11s, overload drills, attacking/defensive phases of play - all of which are all incredibly important.

But in order to successfully implement these tactics and phases of play you need to have the technical ability to be confident on the ball, in all manner of situations.

To get to this level, players need to practise individually in unopposed situations.

The more touches on the ball, the better. Players become more comfortable and more skilled on the ball with hours of unopposed practice, which can be taught by club coaches all over the world.