The Chip

David Beckham has reigned as king of the chipped ball for the length of his career. His gift to spot a goalkeeper positioned too far off his line and instantaneously chip to score is insuperable. The world famous halfway line goal against Wimbledon in the 1996/7 season, exhibits his genius and unbeatable technique in chipping a ball.

Technique

Before chipping the ball, slow down slightly to adjust your stride pattern accordingly. To produce the elevation and accuracy in your chip shot or pass, you will need to slow your pace so as to strike the ball with less force.

The Chip

Then, take a quick look up so as to direct the ball to the desired target; be it the goal or another player. When you swing at the ball, come at it from a slight angle, this will give it a bit of back spin and elevation. Strike the ball with the inside of your foot, angling it downwards in order to catch the bottom of the ball. In the moment you strike the ball, lean back slightly; this will naturally produce the required elevation of the ball.

If executed correctly, the ball will arc beautifully and in the last moment, drop quite rapidly to its target. The chip can be a deadly weapon in a game of football, both as a means to trouble the goalkeeper and to ensure your team retains the ball.