Did Christian Pulisic use the Coerver Coaching method to develop as a young soccer player? I think so As far as touch and ball control, Christian Pulisic is a Coerver savant. Much like other top players, the ball appears to be glued to his foot when he has it. What sets Pulisic apart though is he has incredible skills on the ball and uses those skills to beat players.
Now, Pulisic is playing with confidence and scoring goals at Chelsea. In and around the goal box Pulisic knows how to find just enough space or a window to shoot through and score.
Right foot or left foot it doesn’t matter for Pulisic. Which makes it extra hard for defenders who can’t force him to a weaker foot. Coerver is all about spending time with soccer ball and developing touch and control with both feet, which of course Pulisic has.
Crystal Palace 2-3 Chelsea. Pulisic is on target in this five goal thriller of a game. Watch Pulisic’s highlights in the video below.
Lampard was asked about the now constant comparisons between Eden Hazard and Pulisic.
“Having played with Eden, he had special talent straight away and draws players towards him to open up space to others. Christian is more direct. He has the ability to break a line and run forward which is a great trait in the modern game,” Lampard said. “Why I shy away from it the other night is because Eden has been here and done it over a period of time to an incredible level. Christian has it in his hands to make a real impact over time. It’s great to see him [doing well] but there’s a lot of development to come. Christian is taking responsibility to change games.”
As a coach, stop telling your young soccer players to pass as soon as they receive the soccer ball. As players are developing, don’t force them to do everything in 1 and 2 touches. Get players comfortable and confident on the ball so they can dribble past defenders and know how to get out of pressure with the ball at their feet.
Don’t kill their passion to create and take players on! Instill instead in young players the desire and ability to go at defenders and beat players on the dribble.
The idea is to let players express themselves on the soccer field. The most prized player in the modern game of soccer are those who can take players on. Let young player learn how to take players on one-on-one or one-on-two even if they lose the ball, no soccer coach should yell at players if they’re trying to dribble.
That’s why playing small sided and pickup games are crucial for a players development, where players have to dribble, control and shield the ball in tight spaces. Playing street soccer is where a number of world class footballers developed their love for the game.