Why is Coordination Important in Football? Here’s What You Need to Know

Why is coordination so important in football?

Often you will hear footballers praised for their strength, skill, form, IQ, and many other attributes, but rarely do you hear their coordination being discussed.

Coordination is a core skill that all players require. It allows footballers to effectively execute their various moves on the pitch; and the higher the coordination, the better player they can be.

SportsBoom have created this guide to describe exactly what coordination is and why its so important in the sport of football.

What is Coordination?

Coordination is the ability to regulate motor activity so that the body corresponds as accurately as possible to instructions. In simpler terms, it’s the ability to use different parts of the body together accurately and effectively.

Put even more simply, it’s the ability to select the right muscle at the right time, with the right intensity.

There is a difference between coordination and balance. Balance is the ability to stay upright and in control of body movement, whereas coordination is the ability to move body parts under control efficiently.

Having good balance is great, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can catch a football with both hands or a tennis ball with one hand, for example. That ability comes from coordination and the ability to control limbs.

Improves Reaction times

Good coordination will mean a player is able to react quicker in situations. This is because they are always balanced, so are perfectly poised to react with quick reflexes. If off-balanced, reaction times will be delayed considerably while the body redistributes weight accordingly.

Even if the player is wrongfooted, good coordination will allow them to rearrange their weight and stance in an instant. For example, if a player is moving in one direction, then the play is switched the other way, good coordination will allow them to change direction swiftly and seamlessly.

Enhances Explosive Power

Great coordination will result in explosive power. This can be during movement or from standing still.

A sprinter will lock into position to start a race, with their knees bent, springs loaded to explode into action, so a player with good coordination will be able to react in the same way – able to bounce into action instantly.

Ability to Use Both Feet

Being coordinated will give players a greater chance of being able to use both feet. The earlier explanation of the word was all about controlling different body parts effectively, so this will include being able to control the weaker sides or limbs.

Every player will always be more dominant on one side of the body, even if they are ambidextrous, so great coordination will increase the chances of being able to use both sides of the body strongly.

How to Develop Coordination in Football

To develop coordination in football requires exercises that focus on movement from side to side.

Dribbling – The traditional line of cones set a few paces apart is a football drill that has been used for decades. Despite being basic, it’s very effective. Players can use this drill to concentrate on their movement from left to right and back again, from one cone to the next, concentrating on distributing their body weight from one side to the other smoothly and effectively. 

This can be progressed by using one foot only; using inside of the foot followed by outside of the foot in pattern; rolling the ball under the foot, and much more.

Dynamic Stretching – Getting the muscles nice and loose will help with coordination, because tight muscles will be stiffer and harder to move, and also take longer to get going.

Instead of static stretches, including movement will help with coordination because it will require extra balance. Exercises include high knees; heel flicks; skipping; walking lunges; opening and closing the gates while walking forwards.

Agility Ladders – Agility ladders are inexpensive, fold up neat and small, and take no time to set up. Ladders placed on the ground, a variety of footwork drills can be used, all designed to work coordination, balance and quick feet. The quick movement, going in and out, sided to side, is perfect for coordination training, and the variations are endless.

Quick Passing – Passing drills that incorporate quick movement will really improve coordination because the player will need to be light on their feet and able to redistribute their balance as soon as possible to react to the pass coming in.

Footballers with Incredible Coordination

Footballers with incredible coordination that instantly spring to mind will be players such as Lionel Messi, known for his low sense of gravity where he’s able to change direction as quickly as a racing car.

Also, three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Zinedine Zidane, was well known for his elite coordination, allowing him to easily switch direction in a instant. 

Check out SportsBoom’s list of footballers with incredible coordination below: