When a player runs with the ball, it can cause the opposition many problems. Firstly, because the ball carrier can advance the ball quickly into more dangerous attacking areas. Secondly, the player running with the ball can break the defending lines of the opposition and effectively take them out of the play by having the ball goal side of them.

For example, a fullback running with the ball can break the line of the opposition defending forwards, a midfield player running with the ball can break the defending line of the opposition midfield and a forward running with the ball can break the line of the opposition defence and maybe make an effective, dangerous pass, cross or shoot. By running with the ball and looking to break these defensive lines of the opposition can result in an opponent from the next defending line being forced to confront the player running with the ball. This then creates an overload situation which can be exploited. For example, if a fullback runs with the ball and breaks the defensive line of the opposition forwards, then an opposition midfield player will have to move out of position to confront the player with the ball. This then creates an overload situation in midfield which can be exploited.

When a player runs with the ball, at some point an opposition player will be forced to confront the ball carrier, this then creates space for the ball carriers team mates to exploit with clever movement and timed runs.

For many, one of the great sights in the game is to see a player running with the ball at full pace, down the wing or attacking the opposition defence. But, what can be equally effective is a player running with the ball 5 - 10 yards and committing an opposition player to confront them. This can create space and attacking opportunities for team mates in advance or to the side of the ball.

It sounds obvious, but the one key factor in being able to run with the ball, is having space in which to actually carry the ball into. With space on a football pitch very often at a premium, space needs to be created, either by the individual receiving the ball with clever movement, by turning out of a tight area into space or by dribbling past an opponent and running with the ball into the space created. Another way in which to create space to be able to run with the ball is by using clever team interplay. For example, when the team are in possession of the ball on one flank of the pitch, they can combine with clever interplay in this area, this will result in pulling the opposition towards the ball and towards that area of the pitch. This will provide the opportunity for the ball to be quickly switched out of that flank area and to the opposite flank area to a player in space who can then run with the ball.

Like dribbling, team mates also have to recognise that they also have to make runs and to pull away from the player on the ball, who has space in which to run with the ball. This will result in giving defenders decision problems, either to confront the player running with the ball, or to mark the player making the run without the ball.

Players will need coaching sessions and games that help them with understanding the techniques of running with the ball and also how they can create space, both as individuals and as a team, in which to be able to better run with the ball. They will also need to help with the decisions they will have to make at the end of the run.

Running with the ball

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The following are considered the key technical coaching factors to improve running with the ball:

• Create space as an individual and as a team - To create opportunities and space for a player to be able to run with the ball
• Create space to receive the ball in a position to run with the ball - Players will need to provide clever movement to not only create space to receive the ball in a position that allows them to run with the ball, but they will also need to control the ball into the space created.
• Identify the space to run the ball into - It is important that players get their head up to identify if there is a space to run the ball into
• Decision making on to run with ball or pass to support player - If there is no space to run the ball or pass to or a team mate is better placed to receive an early pass, will depend on the players ability to get their head up and see what is around them
• Control the ball into the space - Once a decision has been made to run with the ball, the player will need to control the ball into the space and aggressively attack the space in front of them with the ball
• Use the laces on the front of the foot when running with the ball - The best technique of pushing the ball in front when running with the ball, is to point the toes of the leading foot and knock the ball in front using the laces of the boot
• Head up when running with the ball - Players will constantly need to keep their head up when running with the ball, so they can make decisions on the position of defenders, the space in front of them, passing options and the need to change speed or direction
• Change of direction - There will be times when a player will need to change direction
• Change of pace - Whilst it is important for players to run quickly with the ball, there will be times when the will need to change pace, sometimes to run quicker, sometimes slower and be composed and under more control, particularly if they decide they need to make a pass at the end of the run
• Communication - Like almost every situation on a football pitch, players need to communicate and help each other with key information and encouragement
• Movement to provide support and find space from team mates off the ball - Players off the ball will need to make runs to either try and clear the space for the player to run with the ball, to drag opposition players away from the player running with the ball or to provide passing options for the player running with the ball

The practices you will see in this section are suggested practices, they aren't definitive. Why not use these as a basis for ideas and design, save and share your own dribbling sessions and games with Coaches Chalkboard?