SCORE LIKE MESSI
Score like
Messi and
you could be
celebrating
like this
“There are three players who are better than the rest:
Iniesta, Ronaldo and Messi. But the best is Messi.
There is nobody who can do the things he does”
- Brazil’s Neymar praises the skills of Lionel Messi
Score Like Messi
Lionel Messi may have broken all goal scoring records last year but is it possible to
coach your players to emulate his skills? Can you get them to score like Messi?
I
n a truly breathtaking run of form as Xavi and Iniesta hasn’t hindered his training ground, such as how to time Words by:
last year, Barcelona forward Lionel goal tally, but in any team his abilities those surging runs, when to attack the Chris Hunt
Messi reminded world soccer would be judged as extraordinary. space behind a defender, and how to Activities by:
why so many people regard him as “Messi is the best player in the world,” play the wonderful one-touch tiki-taka David Clarke
one of the greatest footballers of all argued Zlatan Ibrahimovic recently, that he enjoys so much at Barcelona.
time, hitting the net a phenomenal himself no slouch with the ball. “He We have two activities on the
91 times in one calendar year. plays like he’s on PlayStation, it’s following pages that will help with these
While it is unlikely that your strikers unbelievable. People who say otherwise skills – try them in training and soon
will notch up anywhere near the tally either don’t know anything about your players could be scoring like Messi.
achieved by the incredible Argentinian, football or are just talking nonsense.”
working on some of the skills that make If Leo himself is to be believed,
Messi such a formidable marksman his abilities originally came from a The Hot 91
will undoubtedly improve the fortunes passion for the sport and a familiarity
Lionel Messi scored
of your team and help to get your with the ball – something that most
91 goals in 2012.
forwards scoring more goals. of your players should relate to.
This is where he
But what is it that makes Messi so “First of all you’ve got to love the
scored them…
good? Is it his composure on the ball game,” he has said. “From the age
or the simplicity of his world beating of three I played every day: every La Liga: 59
dribbling skills? Is it his incredible morning, afternoon and night.” Copa Del Rey: 5
acceleration, the perfect timing of his If regular ball work has paid dividends Spanish Super Cup: 2
runs, or the low centre of gravity that for Messi, this is something that can Champions League: 13
has gifted him such fantastic balance? be encouraged in all youngsters.
World Cup Qualifiers: 5
Cynics have tried to suggest that being There are also certain of his skills and
International Friendlies: 7
blessed with creative providers such techniques that you can coach on the
Issue 300 SOCCER COACH WEEKLY 3
SCORE LIKE MESSI
Explode Into The Box
Exploding into the box is one of Lionel Messi’s most effective attacking weapons. Get
your players to try this drill and they too could be destroying defences in seconds
WHY USE IT The server plays the ball into an
attacker, releasing the runners
The movement should open up
space for a runner to receive
When attacking, runs into the box the ball and burst past the
into the box need energy, defenders to shoot at goal
changes of pace and
changes of direction.
Players need to experience
how short bursts of speed
and movement can be
explosive near the goal.
s
15yd
SET UP
20
5yds
yd
s
Mark out an area of 25x20 5yds
yards, with a goal at one s
15yd
end and two five-yard The players without the
channels at the other. ball should try and drag
We’re using eight players. defenders away to make
Defenders must try to hold space in the box
You need balls, bibs, cones
and a goal. up play but good passing will
create space and a switch
from one side to the other is
HOW TO PLAY a good way to exploit it
In the first channel a
server has five balls ready
to play into two attackers
in the main area. The two
players in the second area
must play like Messi and
burst into the box but
they cannot move until
one of the attackers in
the main area touches
Timing of runs is vital to
the ball. Defenders score success when two or three
a point by returning the passes are made to set up a
ball to the server. Rotate chance at goal
all players after five balls If the keeper or a defender
have been played. wins the ball they must try
to get it back to the server
to score a point
TECHNIQUE
The timing and type
of run from the two
attackers will determine
how effective the move
is. Attackers must make
decisions based on what
they see ahead of them
and where the space
in front of goal is.
Be sure to note the score after
five balls, then rotate the
players to see which are the
most effective Lionel Messis
Player movement Ball movement Run with ball Shot
Issue 300 SOCCER COACH WEEKLY 4
SCORE LIKE MESSI
Goalscorer
Get your players to turn and shoot just like Messi with this attacking drill that will
improve both their ball control and their shooting ability
WHY USE IT Player at A runs into the centre to
receive a pass from B. He must control, A
Creating space in the turn and shoot. The passive defenders
penalty box with a simple can try to block but cannot tackle
turn and shot is vital to
the success of any striker.
It gives attackers the edge
10
yd
s
over defenders when they
turn in the area
SET UP
10
yd
s
25
Use an area 25x25 yards
yd
s
s
with a goal at each end. 25yd
Put two passive defenders B
or cones on the halfway Player B follows the
pass and now becomes
line, about 10 yards in
the centre player
from each touchline.
Player B turns the
HOW TO PLAY opposite way to
A
A pass is played into the control, turn and shoot
attacker who must use
only three touches to
control, turn and shoot.
The defenders can only
shadow the players
not tackle. Make the
defenders active once
your players are turning
and shooting with ease.
Because the game is
continuous, rotate the B
When the players turn they
defenders every five turns. should try to use a skill like
Now the defenders are the hook turn or a step over
TECHNIQUE active, they must start
at the cones and cannot
This is a great set up for A
move until the player in the
players to practice using a centre has received the ball,
technique like a hook turn encouraging quick play
and then using their instep
or the front of their foot
to hit the target. Players
should be encouraged
to use both feet. Speed
is of great importance
so encourage fast runs
to the cone and quick
turns. Having only three
touches will help speed up B
the action but it requires
more skill so some players
may need more touches.
Player movement Ball movement Run with ball Shot
Issue 300 SOCCER COACH WEEKLY 5
