Rattibha

To create space around the goal, the best strikers use double movements to create indecision in their marks.
They move blindside of their mark and right as the ball is about to be played they exploit the space the defender has left.
But how is this communicated? 🧵👇

Before we get into the goal, a little bit a background about the goalscorer, Samu.
This was the 19 year old's debut match for Granada and La Liga.
This is a player to keep an eye on for the future.

As you can see here, as soon as his teammate starts to run at the back line, he moves towards his direct opponent's blindside.
For any young player, this may seem counterintuitive, but the best strikers know this is necessary to create space.

This next movement is absolutely vital.
Once he's blindside of his mark, Samu has to 'sync up' with his teammate.
You can very clearly see he points exactly where he wants the ball ➡️ 🎯 IN FRONT OF HIS MARK.

Non-verbal communication can be more efficient than verbal because it's quick
It can also be more effective because if the defender cannot see or hear his mark, then the attacking players are in control of the situation
It's also important the passer looks for these cues

The next step is so difficult to develop: TIMING
You can see it clearly in this image.
Samu starts to sprint and gains the half step advantage over his mark. His teammate recognizes this instantly and delivers the ball immediately.
THIS IS SO GOOD FROM SAMU AND GUMBAU.

The end result is a simple finish from 7 yards out.
To the untrained eye this may seem like 'regular' goal, but this is two players who know how to read and communicate with each other and the environment.

Samu's and Gumbau's brain unconsciously picks up on the smallest cues in their environment to predict how and when to act to be successful.
More on the brain's predictive power in this thread 👇

The only way to develop players' ability to predict scenarios like this one is by recreating game situations in training and appropriately directing attention towards what is useful.
If you need help with this, you can start here 👇

Ultimately, this kind of goal what all youth players should strive for because you are in control of the situation.

When players master this kind of understanding of space and time and how they manipulate their direct opponent, they will be able to do so wherever they play football.
The better they can do it, the higher the level they will play.