Intro
Many aspiring footballers are too focused on the skills they see on highlights: Bicycle Kicks, Rabonas, Trivelas, you name it. All skills which the average professional footballer is likely to do once in their whole playing career. The basics get the job done 99% of the time, but some people fail to do even these right. Here is a list skills which, if mastered, will allow ANY player to stand out.
Cross with both feet
Any outfield player will eventually end up in a position to cross the ball: a centre-back recovering a miskicked corner, a striker drifting wide on a counter-attack, the list goes on. Being able to put the ball on either foot in these scenarios and still get in a good delivery will increase the chances of your team scoring vastly. Plus, you will impress many if you can do this consistently.
Shoot with both feet
Similar to crossing, most players will find themselves in the position to get a shot in on goal in a game, and unfortunately you don’t get to pick which foot it lands on. Having ambidexterity in these situations will give you the best chance of putting the ball in the back of the net.
Control with chest
This is a skill that is never taught, players just do it. The alternative is heading the ball or hoping it will drop out of the sky quick enough for you to control it. However, the more frequently you try it, the more composed you will get at doing it. From chesting it down to your goalkeeper so he can collect it, to controlling it to a teammate with your chest so they can have a shot, the benefits are endless. Any player that can master this has a level of maturity above everyone else.
One touch passing
With one touch passing, it is difficult for it to look classy if your teammates are not all in unison. Having one player that is good at it is not going to benefit a team as much as if you had one player that was good at dribbling. However, the higher level you play at, the better the other players around you will be at passing one touch. It will help you massively if you are on the same wavelength and skill level.
Body feints while dribbling
As I say, the basics work 99% of the time. Too many players want to learn the next step-over variation in the hope they can pull it off in a game, but ultimately never do. If you watch any high level match, every player will do simple body feints to twist and turn away from the opposition, and nothing more extravagant than that. Mastering this will improve your ball retention substantially and lead to you getting more opportunities on the pitch.
