Abby Wambach goal vs Sweden: Ultimate Tekkers

Welcome to a new segment here on #UltimateTekkers- The Beast Mode Soccer blog.
A couple of times a week we will break the technique down of a great goal scored by a great player. First up is Abby Wambach's goal against Sweden last month. 
What I like about this goal is that Abby is known for heading the ball, not cracking a goal in from 20 yards out- it shows that she works on every part of her game, and is far from one dimensional. Watch the video above first.

Before the ball was played through, you can see Abby check over her shoulder to see where the space is that she can exploit. The ball comes over her right shoulder, instead of attempting to control it, she knows where her space is so she turns and lets the ball go into the space. Using her peripheral vision she glances, see's the keeper off her line, and without breaking stride she strokes through the ball. 

The ball is bouncing up as she strikes it on the half volley. Her planted foot is about nine inches from the ball., head down, knee over the ball. As she strikes through the ball, her body doesn't stop moving, her momentum takes her whole weight through the ball. This is integral in keeping the ball down- if she stops now, and just lets her foot fly through the ball, the physics of the movement make the ball fly over.

Abby uses the outside of her left foot, getting just enough curl it away from the keeper, and with enough pace to put it in the top corner of the goal. If you watch the video you can also see that she kept her run going after the shot- also very important in keeping the ball down.


All in all a great goal from a great player. Abby Wambach #ultimatetekkers!