Advanced Soccer Instruction

Year Published: 1980s

Creator: U.S. Army

Description: Dating to the early 1980s, "Advanced Soccer Instruction" was produced by the U.S. Army as a recruiting tool. It features players and teams from the defunct North American Soccer League or NASL. Nine Cosmos and Team America players including Rick Davis, David Brcic, Jeff Durgan. Perry Van Der Beck. and Steve Meyers demonstrate advanced techniques in game situations and explain practice drills for goalkeeping, scoring. and defensive/middle/attacking thirds of the field. NASL was the top-level major professional soccer league in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984. It is considered the first soccer league to be successful on a national scale in the United States. 00:00 The film introduces the US Army's commitment to excellence, highlighting its support for soccer as a growing sport in America, emphasizing shared values with coaches like good training and striving for excellence. 1:45 It then presents advanced soccer instruction from professional players, structuring practice drills by focusing on one-third of the field at a time to master tactics. 3:05 The segment on goalkeeping covers fundamental skills like diving, catching, deflecting, punching, directing defense, and initiating offense, stressing the goalkeeper's unique role in winning or losing a game. 4:51 General team defense strategies are explained, including getting players behind the ball, matching opponents, and deflecting attacks to the side, while individual defender tactics focus on positioning, preventing turns, containing, delaying, and forcing opponents to their weaker foot. 6:27 Defensive heading and clearing techniques are detailed, emphasizing power, height, width, and decisiveness. 7:25 The film moves to transitioning from defensive to offensive play, highlighting ball possession, utilizing field space, and the effectiveness of the "give and go" in the midfield. 7:50 Midfielders are described as controlling the pace and direction of attack, distributing the ball, and creating opportunities. 8:17 Specific drills for midfielders, such as 5 versus 2 and 4 versus 2 plus 2, are demonstrated for penetration, possession, and switching passes. 9:32 The crucial "give and go" tactic is explained, involving dribbling at a defender, a quick pass, and accelerating past for a return pass. 10:48 The art of dribbling is presented as a skill for excitement and creating dangerous chances, emphasizing body use, changing pace, and direction to beat opponents. 12:52 The segment on shooting covers proper technique, including foot placement, eye focus, and follow-through, with an emphasis on low, hard shots to the far post for accuracy and placement. 14:08 Various shooting practice drills are shown, incorporating rolling balls, player motion, and defenders to simulate game-like pressure. 15:08 Attacking strategies like bypassing defenders, one-touch redirection, and using long passes and crosses for scoring are demonstrated. 16:23 The importance of practicing goal shooting during scrimmages is stressed for perfecting the shot in actual game conditions. 17:09 The film concludes by celebrating the pure joy and satisfaction that comes from scoring goals, regardless of the method. 19:06 Finally, Rick Davis discusses broader life goals and introduces the Army College Fund, explaining how it provides financial support for education through enlistment, with the Army matching contributions.

Online Copy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doGHFJ259i0

Metadata Source:YouTube