April 14, 2026
One thing I’ve learned in my own training — and now in coaching kids through Olly On The Ball — is that speed of play might be the biggest difference between a “good” player and a great one.
When people think of speed in soccer, they usually think of running fast. And yeah, being quick helps. But true speed of play isn’t about sprinting. It’s about how fast you can think, react, and make smart decisions with the ball.
It’s things like:
A fast player who doesn’t think ahead can still slow the game down. But a smart player — even without crazy speed — can control the whole game by playing fast in the mind.
I’ve been lucky to watch the Charleston Battery play up close. Seeing them in person has helped me understand the game on a different level — especially how they move the ball and think ahead.
The top players on the Battery aren’t always the fastest runners. But they know where to be, they check their shoulders before every pass, and they play quick. They’re making decisions one or two steps before the ball even reaches them. That’s speed of play.
Watching how they play in tight spaces, how they keep the tempo high even under pressure — it showed me that real speed comes from your brain, not just your legs.
When I train or play, I try to copy that same mindset. I work on scanning before the ball comes, and playing with fewer touches when I can. At first, it felt uncomfortable — I wasn’t used to thinking that fast.
But now, the more I watch Charleston Battery and the more I practice those habits, the more natural it feels. It’s helped me stay calmer under pressure and move the ball quicker. And when I coach kids, I try to point out how important those small decisions are.
If you’re a younger player reading this, or a parent trying to help your kid improve, here’s the big takeaway:
It’s not about playing faster. It’s about thinking faster.
You don’t have to be the fastest runner to stand out. Start by keeping your head up, playing off fewer touches, and making decisions early. Watch your favorite players — or even a local team like Charleston Battery — and pay attention to how they move before the ball comes.
That’s what makes the difference. That’s what separates good from great.
