the Coerver method

Under this technique, players progress in a structured manner, pyramidal, from basics of ball mastery to a tactically driven group attack. They would be exposed to the other essentials like Receiving and Passing, Moves (1v1), Speed and Lethal Finishing. The 1 v. 1 moves learned in the Coerver Method are more generically known to football players as "Coerver moves." Examples of these include the scissors, double scissors, Rivelino move or step over, Matthews move, Puskás move or v-move, Maradona move or 360, Cruyff move, Scotch move, and Elastico. These moves are used to provide misdirection to get the defender leaning one direction, so that you can dribble past him.

The central theme of all Coerver® Coaching concentrates on the improvement of both individual skills and small team group play, especially in the 6 - 14 age group. Coerver® Coaching believes that the game is made up of a series of movements and plays involving a small number of players (1v1, 2v2, 3v3 etc.) in different parts of the field. It is when they are linked together, or broken up defensively, that these small group plays make up a game of football.

Coerver® Coaching concludes that ultimately any system of team play is only as good as the players involved. It therefore focuses on individual development both alone and in the context of small group team play.¹

Here are three example manoeuvres to get you started!

The Cruyff Turn ²

1. Facing your opponent with the ball, position your body to feign a cross or shot.

2. Then drag the ball with your foot behind your standing leg.

3. Turn and be on your way while the opponent is left flat-footed.

Stepover ²

Popularised initially by Pelé, this move is extremely popular in modern football and expertly utilised by individuals like Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho:

1. Feign to move on way by flicking your foot fully over the ball in that direction, but without actually touching the ball at any point.

2. Then push the ball in the opposite direction and skip past your marker.

The Matthews Move ²

Named after one of the most influential wingers in football, Stanley Matthews, who was pivotal in establishing wing play as a vital part of attacking. The Matthews move is today a fundamental weapon in any winger’s arsenal:

1. When facing a defender, push the ball slightly forward to his standing foot.

2. Then instantly flick it horizontally down the wing and, as he’s wrong-footed, use your speed to waltz past him.

References

1. Wikipedia

2. talkfootball.co.uk