Pull Back with the sole of the foot. Use the body to protect ball from defender. Get low, stay low.
You’re not really trying to get the ball so much as just slow him down so your teammates can get back to help you out.
Approach the bad guy FAST but once you reach him SLOW down, turn your hips to the SIDE, and get LOW.
‘Stabbing’ is when you lunge for the ball with your back foot, ‘Jabbing’ is when you poke at the ball with your front foot.
Put your ‘plant’ foot about 6 inches away from the ball. Strike the ball like your foot is a golf club: try to get ‘under’ the ball. Lean back as you kick it to get it in the air. Then ‘follow through’ with your kicking leg.
Part of the reason Messi is so good is that he’s a great actor! Convince the defender you’re going one direction, and then quickly flick the ball in the other direction.
