getting in front of a fast moving ball

[smithxi]

i have a horrible habbit of ducking out of the way sometimes if a really fast ball is coming at me or if i run up on someone and try to cover them or take it and they pass or shoot it off. how can i build up my nerves to just take the hit of the ball and make an interception?

[Dizzee Wahil]

do it once, you'll see the great reception good players give it and from then on you can ride that adrenalin

[smithxi]

yeah but its so hard to purposely get hit by a really hard kicked ball. even if it's in the head. i mean i want to be able to jump in front of players' shots and like header it or chest trap it, then take off. i like run up to them and sometimes spin when they kick it. if it's a pass i run along side and throw my legs out, but straight on i get too scared.

[Rema]

I agree with Dizzee, just do it once and you'll get used to it.

I'm a striker, but I sometimes jump into the defenders hard clearances. Have took a few straight to the face but i'm still living, no broken nose and although it sometimes bounces straight back the the defenders, there are also the occasional times when it gives our team possession and a chance on goal.

So just do it once and you're good. If you don't try you'll never learn what works best and what doesn't.

[smithxi]

i have done it before. i've done it many times.

i'm simply saying the FEAR is ALWAYS there. I can't make it go away.



okay. imagine this. you're playing soccer with the softest nerf soccer ball in the world, with players equally as good as you. YOURE GUNNA HAVE NO PROBLEMS WHAT SO EVER STEPPING IN FRONT OF THAT BALL, BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT WON'T HURT YOU. AND I KNOW THE SOCCER BALL WON'T HURT ME. I'VE BEEN SMASHED IN THE FACE, NUTS, CHEST, BACK, EVERYTHING WITH IT BEFORE. MY QUESTION IS, "HOW DOES ONE ELIMINATE THAT FEAR FOR GOOD?"

I HAVE TO RETRAIN MY BRAIN TO KNOW THAT GETTING THE BALL IS FAR MORE SUPERIOR TO BEING "HURT" BY IT.

BUT HOW?

[Rema]

I think it's all about practice and getting out there and doing it. I personally don't feel that one can overcome their fears unless they face them.

Or... if you've seen Mighty Ducks... get someone to tie you up between the pipes and let people just fire them at you :p (just kidding!).

[smithxi]

so true.

lol @ the mighty ducks thing~

[SaberWolf]

LOL! I don't know whats wrong with me, but I just do it...And don't even think about the pain. I mean I've gotten in walls and just let my hands hang at my side, and my friends are like "you don't wanta cover your nads" and I was like "oh, what the hell is that gona do? It'll just make you hit yourself" but what I mean is that if you get hit with the ball you get hit, but you're the only one that cares, the game will still go on.


But if it makes you feel any better, squint your eyes and leave one hand on your nads. When I was young that helped me out alot, I would charge all the time just doing that.

[szyslack]

I never heard a ball killin sum1 so whats the worst it could happen maybe it can hurt u a lil

[smithxi]

true, but basically i'm talking about getting over the fear of getting blasted with the ball. your thoughts?

[SaberWolf]

Just don't think about it, just jump infront of the ball and not think about it.

[Rema]

true, but basically i'm talking about getting over the fear of getting blasted with the ball. your thoughts?

You're just thinking about it too much. I know this is easier said than done but you have GOT to just face your fear or you will not get over it.

[smithxi]

yea i'm actually getting better at it. today i took a pretty good header and it didn't hurt, so i'm happy. :)

[Becks]

Dive my friend...Sometimes I will jump in front of it, and do a 180. This prevents anything on my frontside from becoming "injured."

[SaberWolf]

*Agrees with Becks*

But watch out for doing that TO much, I love players that do that, because they fall for the "Fake Kick" almost everytime.

[smithxi]

couldn't agree with saber more. i think doing that is an aweful habbit.

[szyslack]

just try not cover urself once n u'll find out is not that bad

[FoothillsSC16]

I have the same problem. actually when i was in middle school my team went to a tournament and i was so scared to head the goalie's punt that i caught the ball. now that was a long time ago and now im not that scared. My coach began throwing high balls at me and told me to trap them with my chest or head them back to him. He would do this until i wasn't scared and that took awhile. after a full practice of getting hit with the ball i realized that it isn't that bad.

Have a coach or teammate kick high balls to you. Keep doing this until you aren't afraid. It helped me!!!

[Irish]

just go for it.... dont think about it..... very rarely will u get hit in the face by a ball..and if u do i guarantee u that u wont die....

if u need to build up a bit of courage i'd suggest that u volunteer to get in2 the wall for free kicks, it will desensitise u a lot from the fear your experiencing.... i find this a lot more nerve wracking than blocking a shot !!