Video below.

The best soccer players in the world are masters at creating space. Using a good first touch is one way to get out of pressure but creating space off the ball is one of the most important, yet neglected aspects of being an offensive threat.

Research has shown more scoring chances are converted when the pressuring defender is farther away from the shooter. It makes sense, as other than those freak out moments when too much time and space lead to over-thinking, time and space allow you to adjust your body and make better decisions (i.e. taking 2 touches versus 1 when you had more time than you realized). In the video below you will see 3 ways to create space so you can do more damage when you receive a pass from your teammate. Here they are:

1. Sudden stop changes of direction

2. Sudden start changes of direction

3. Fast in and fast out changes of direction.

Ideally you would practice these types of movements with real defensive pressure and a teammate trying to complete the pass. But to start out, I suggest running through the movements alone. By doing the exercises presented in the video, it will help ingrain the behaviors as well as develop the leg strength and power to cut hard and fast on the pitch.