The Other 87 Minutes: How Intelligent Soccer Players Control the Game
Most people judge soccer players by what they do with the ball.
How fast they run.
How hard they shoot.
How aggressively they attack defenders.
On Average a soccer player only has the ball 3 minutes
of the 90 minutes of a game....
So the real question isn’t:
How good are you on the ball?
The real question is:
What kind of player are you during the other 87 minutes, and what do you do with the ball when it finally arrives?
That’s where intelligent players separate themselves.
The Biggest Misconception in Player Evaluation
Especially between ages 16 and 18, many coaches and scouts fall into the same trap:
They favor players who:
- Run nonstop
- Look aggressive
- Take lots of shots
- Try to beat defenders one-on-one
Those qualities look impressive.
But soccer is not about looking busy.
It’s about not losing the ball and making the game easier for your teammates.
A flashy dribbler who loses possession repeatedly hurts the team more than a calm player who plays simple, accurate football.
The Other 87 Minutes: Playing Without the Ball
Great players are constantly working even when they don’t touch the ball.
They:
- Move into passing lanes
- Open space for teammates
- Pull defenders out of position
- Defend intelligently
- Communicate constantly
- Read the game before it unfolds
They don’t wait for the ball.
They prepare for it.
This is soccer intelligence.
What Smart Players Do When They DO Get the Ball
This is the part many people miss. Intelligent players don’t do spectacular things. They do efficient things, consistently.
1. They Control the Ball, Properly
Whether the ball comes:
- From the air
- From a driven pass
- From a short combination
Smart players:
- Cushion the ball
- Keep it close
- Don’t let it bounce away
- Don’t chase their first touch
A bad first touch forces panic.
A good first touch creates time.
Most ball losses at youth level don’t come from pressure, they come from poor control.
2. They Know What They’re Doing Before the Ball Arrives
This is crucial.
Elite players scan the field before receiving the ball.
They already know:
- Where their teammates are
- Where the pressure is coming from
- What their next pass will be
So when the ball arrives, there’s no hesitation.
Soccer happens too fast to “decide later.”
3. They Use One-Touch and Two-Touch Football
Smart players don’t slow the game down unnecessarily.
They:
- Play one-touch when possible
- Take two touches when needed
- Move the ball faster than defenders can react
The ball moves faster than any player.
One-touch football:
- Breaks pressure
- Controls tempo
- Preserves possession
- Frustrates opponents
This is why possession-based teams dominate games.
4. They Don’t Try to Be Fancy
Intelligent players don’t:
- Force dribbles
- Attempt risky passes
- Take unnecessary shots
They understand something simple:
If you have the ball, the other team cannot score.
Keeping possession is defending.
They play the right pass, not the spectacular one.
5. They Rarely Lose the Ball
This is the biggest difference.
Smart players:
- Value possession
- Protect the ball
- Choose safe options when necessary
- Take risks only when the reward is worth it
Coaches notice this immediately, even if fans don’t.
6. Why This Matters More as Players Get Older
At younger ages, athleticism hides mistakes.
But at 16, 17, and 18:
- Everyone runs
- Everyone presses
- Everyone can shoot
What separates players now is:
- Decision-making
- First touch
- Passing accuracy
- Speed of thought
- Positional awareness
This is why some “average-looking” players keep advancing — and flashier ones disappear.
Soccer Is a Thinking Game
Johan Cruyff believed football was played with the brain.
And Toni Kroos summed it up perfectly:
“Playing simple is hard. Playing hard is easy.”
Anyone can try something difficult.
Few players can do the simple thing perfectly, every time.
Final Thought
The best players don’t dominate highlights. They dominate the rhythm of the game.
They control the other 87 minutes, and when the ball finally reaches them, they already know exactly what to do.
A Message to Players
If you want to be noticed, ask yourself:
- Do I lose the ball often?
- Is my first touch clean?
- Do I know my next pass before receiving?
- Do I help the team when I don’t touch the ball?
Everyone can play soccer Only a few know how to play soccer.
A Message to Parents and Coaches
When evaluating a player:
- Watch them off the ball
- Watch their first touch
- Watch their decision-making
- Watch how often they lose possession
- Watch how they make others better
That’s where real soccer players reveal themselves.
