How to encourage running with the ball

Graeme Carrick, FA youth coach developer, looks at the skill of running with the ball and states it’s important to encourage players to take risks, without fear of mistakes, if they’re to improve their ability to move forward with the ball.
Running with the ball is one of the most enjoyable aspects of playing football. Skilfully travelling through space with the ball can equally be thrilling for the player in possession as it is for those watching and admiring. It’s one of the most effective modes of attacking. Running with the ball is when a player travels through or into space at speed with the ball at their feet. It’s a great way of gaining territory or exploiting space afforded by a disorganised defence. It’s also an effective way of changing the possibilities of the attack.

While running with the ball, players are at their best when they move both with speed and control, knowing where and why they are travelling, balanced with being able to read and react to situations as they unfold. Often if there’s space available, taking big touches enables the player on the ball to travel quickly, but if space is limited, then often smaller touches are best to be able to change speed or direction if needed easily.

If touches are too big, then the ball carrier can easily lose control or miss opportunities to pass to teammates in better positions. If touches are too small, then the ball carrier might not travel quickly enough to take advantage of the space ahead.

Each situation is unique and will be largely dependent on the player themselves; what they see, the pictures and ideas they have in their mind, and the instincts they feel in the moment.

Encouraging players to run with the ball can start from the youngest ages and can continue all the way through to them being adults. It’s an important skill for players in all positions, whether it’s a full back using space on the wings to get into a crossing position, a centre back stepping into and through midfield with the ball or a forward driving into space on a counter-attack.

Developing skill through games
Playing games is a great way of developing a skill – if the atmosphere invites a culture of skill. There are many ways to use games for player learning; from player-initiated free-play to play more directly influenced by the coach. In the clip below, the aim was to continue a relatively unstructured game with a focus for players to run with the ball when an opportunity arose.

Within this example, FA national coach developer, Paul McGuinness, introduces the following task: when space emerges, the player in possession has to run with the ball. This is supported by an environment which encourages players to take risks without fear of mistakes.