Winning a 50/50 Ball

Winning a 50/50 or second chance ball in soccer can be all the difference in turning the momentum. Either it be in your own half to disrupt the opponents build up, creating a transition from a tackle, or winning a ball in the final third to score a goal, a 50/50 ball can be turned in your favor by practicing these 4 tips:

• Reading the ball
  
• Reading the opposition
  
• Winning the 50/50
  
• The next act
  

While we approach a tackle or 50/50 ball, we first have to assess how the ball is in play. Is it bouncing, in the air, rolling away from or to us? Understanding how to approach the ball and the situation you are in can change how you take on a challenge.

The second step, reading the opposition, is integral in winning a challenge. Knowing where the opposition is and where you have the opportunity to take the ball can lead you into a successful challenge or a temporary win to lose it to a second player. Know not only where the ball challenger is, but the other players potentially in play.
Before moving on to the next act we have to win the ball. Winning the 50/50 is the action or challenge we use. We can use a slide tackle, standing tackle, ball lift, ball poke, or other skill pieces to win the challenge.

Having a next action or idea after winning the 50/50 is imperative to success of maintaining the ball. There are a limited number of times where winning a challenge leads to an open field and time on the ball. Being able to know where the ball needs to go next or potential areas to exploit with a pass, dribble, or shot can lead to not only an individual player's success, but your teams.