Chipping the Ball

Chipping the ball is a subtle yet highly effective skill in football, often used to outwit defenders, goalkeepers, or to create scoring opportunities in tight situations. It requires a combination of precision, timing, and confidence, making it a valuable tool in any player’s technical arsenal. In the Premier League, where defenders are quick and goalkeepers are sharp, mastering the chip can be the difference between a wasted chance and a moment of brilliance.

The chip involves striking the underside of the ball with the instep or front part of the foot to lift it delicately into the air. The technique requires a slightly open body position, a firm plant of the non-kicking foot beside the ball, and a subtle, scooping motion of the striking foot. Unlike a powerful shot, the chip is more about finesse. Players must lock their ankle, lean back slightly, and strike through the bottom of the ball, generating lift without excessive power. Too much force can send the ball over the bar, while too little may see it intercepted.

In the Premier League, countless iconic goals have been scored with a chip. Eric Cantona’s famous effort for Manchester United against Sunderland in 1996 is a classic example: having created space, he lifted the ball over the goalkeeper with minimal backlift, showing perfect composure. More recently, Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez have demonstrated how a chip can be used not only for finishing but also for playmaking, clipping the ball delicately into the path of onrushing teammates. These examples highlight how the chip is not just a trick, but an intelligent solution to the challenges posed by modern defences.

For strikers, the chip is particularly valuable in one-on-one situations with goalkeepers. When a keeper rushes out to close down the angle, a low shot risks being blocked. By recognising the goalkeeper’s body shape and committing to the lift at the right moment, forwards can execute a decisive chip. Jamie Vardy, for example, has used this finish in his Leicester City career, often exploiting his pace to get in behind before delicately lifting the ball over advancing goalkeepers.

Turning to Sheffield United, the chip may not be the most common feature in their direct and physical style of play, but it has still had its moments. During their Premier League campaigns under Chris Wilder and more recently Paul Heckingbottom, Sheffield United often relied on sharp, intelligent movement in the box. Players like Billy Sharp, a natural finisher, have shown that even in a team renowned for organisation and hard work, the finesse of a chip can be decisive. Sharp’s instinctive ability in front of goal has included lifted finishes, where his awareness and technique have caught goalkeepers off-guard.

In training, Sheffield United coaches place emphasis on situational awareness, which is essential for the chip. Young forwards at the club are taught not only to strike with power but also to vary their finishing techniques, ensuring unpredictability. The chip embodies this variety, allowing strikers to adjust when a goalkeeper commits early.

Ultimately, the chip is a skill that combines technique, vision, and bravery. Whether showcased in a spectacular Premier League goal or in Sheffield United’s gritty attacking play, it remains a reminder that football is not only about power and pace but also about touch and intelligence.