Sometimes, a simple yet effective flick over your opponent's outstretched foot is the easiest way to escape a tight space.

Raw Footage

1️⃣ Approach 2️⃣ Connection 3️⃣ Follow through When players are developing their weaker foot, it’s very normal that they can’t consistently execute all three components together — or sometimes any of them at all. That’s part of the learning process. This is why we place a huge focus at Axis Football on filming each player and reviewing their technique with them immediately after — whether the shot was good or bad. By seeing themselves: - How they approached the ball - Where they connected - What their follow through looked like Players build awareness much faster. This strengthens the mind–muscle connection and accelerates improvement. It’s very similar to how gymnasts use mirrors while training. When athletes can see and feel the movement at the same time, learning becomes quicker, cleaner, and more consistent.

As players move into the U13–U17 age groups, the game changes fast. The pitch is bigger, opponents are smarter, and time on the ball disappears. One of the biggest separators at this stage? The ability to play effective longer-range passes. To consistently hit the desired ball, three technical details matter massively 👇 1️⃣ Approach to the ball Your angle and speed of approach set everything up. A poor approach limits balance and accuracy before you’ve even made contact. 2️⃣ Connection on the ball Where and how you strike the ball determines height, distance, and speed. Clean connection = repeatable outcomes. 3️⃣ Follow through The follow-through guides the ball. It reflects intent, direction, and weight of pass. Cut it short and accuracy suffers. When these three pieces are trained properly, players gain: - Confidence to play forward - Better decision-making under pressure - The ability to control games, not just survive them This is why longer-range passing is a key focus in our U13–U17 sessions at Axis Football - it directly transfers to match performance. Keep building the foundations. The game rewards players who put in the work.

🎯⚽️ Curl Striking – A Key Finish in Modern Football In this session, we focused on one of the most important finishing techniques: The curl strike. This type of finish is crucial because it allows players to: • Bend the ball around defenders • Finish accurately from wide or tight angles • Stay composed in front of goal • Create scoring options when power isn’t available You’ll first see a short technical breakdown from Coach Liam to explain body shape, contact point, and approach angle. Then, raw clips of the player immediately putting that feedback into action. This is one of the most common finishes you see in professional football — and a skill every developing player should master. More finishing sessions coming soon 👊 Let me know if you’d like a drill you can use at home.