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When and why to use a long ball
There is a tremendous emphasis in youth soccer to play as much small-sided games as possible in training (and at the real young ages) instead of using larger areas in training. While this is a great way to work on many aspects of the game of soccer, it has caused for too many players to be incapable of hitting a long ball accurately or to be able to receive a long ball under control.
During a recent tryout session the author of this article recalled the following: "Some of the players were quite impressive in the small-sided games but when we asked them to play an accurate ball 40 yards in the air, the result was dreadful. One player even asked why we wanted them to be able to play a ball that far under control because in his opinion, the only time a ball should EVER be played that far is on a clearing ball and when that is needed, the ball just has to be kicked far. The idea of playing a ball from the left back to an outside midfielder on the opposite side would never occur to him. We spend so much time playing short passes that the only way too many coaches are teaching for the ball to be switched from one side to the other is through a number of short passes. Well the truth is that if the left back can play a hard, accurate ball 40 yards (or more) to the right midfielder, the ball can get there before the defense will have time to switch. If this same left back can't play this hard accurate ball, he will play the ball to the sweeper who might play the ball to the, then the right back and he can finally play the ball to the right midfielder. While this is going on, the defense will have time to make the correct shifts and the right midfielder will quickly be marked."
Also, one of the best ways to get behind a defense is to string together a number of quick short passes and suck the defense in and then play a longer ball over the top to a player making a run (realize, this is MUCH different than just aimlessly kicking the ball downfield and hoping someone will run onto it). Without the ability to play a long ball accurately (and the ability to receive a long ball properly) this part of the game is lost.
How do you get better at playing a long ball? Its actually quite simple just practice it! There are a number of games and activities you can use to get better at playing long balls but in the beginning, just get with a partner and start 20 yards apart and hit balls to each other with the instep. Do this awhile and each of you should move back 5 yards. Now you are hitting 30-yard balls and once you are comfortable doing this, step back a bit further and gradually build up to where you are 40-45 yards apart. Make contact with the ball in the middle of the ball to minimize spin initially and strike through the ball (almost like you are shooting). As you get better at this, you can also start bending the ball by hitting more on the side of the ball. This will allow you to play the ball around the defense as well as over them.
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