Andres Iniesta of Spain is the great model to demonstrate running skills with the ball. He has a great skill set of:
- Fakes
- Change of Direction
- Stops & Starts
- Ball Protection Skills
- Spain made 89.6% successful passes in championship match
- Spain averaged 731.8 passes per game in Euro 2012
- 88.7% of Spain’s passes were successful in Euro 2012
Italy Passing Numbers:
- 88.7% success in Euro 2012
- 497.1 passes per game in Euro 2012
Xavi Hernandez completed over 800 passes at Euro 2012. Xavi is one of the best passers of all time. Against Ireland, he completed 133 passes in one game. Xavi always chooses the right type of pass. His passes are always made at the right time, at the right pace and to the right place. I compare Xavi Hernandez passing abilities to the great Wayne Gretzky.
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Technique:
- Spain had the ability to receive passes and controls the ball in tight spaces
- The passes were made with both feet
- The passes were made with inside, outside parts of the foot
- The passes were received with both feet
- The passes were received with inside, outside parts of foot
Hockey requires that the players made passes at the right time, at the right speed and at the right place. Hockey requires players to pass, receive passes and controls the puck in tight spaces; Make forehand and backhand passes; Receive passes on the forehand and backhand.
- Spain 99 shot on goal
- Italy 86 shot on goal
- Spain was superior on transition defense
- Spain only gave up 12 shots on goal at Euro 2012
Power Thoughts:
“It doesn’t matter who scores the points, it’s who can get the ball to the scorer” – Larry Bird
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