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Loose balls after clearances, headers, or blocked shots. Winning second balls is a skill - you need anticipation, positioning, and aggression. Some teams play direct football specifically to create second ball situations. Commentators obsess over it, especially when one team dominates the aerial duels but can't collect what drops. It's a sign of midfield control.
Burnley under Sean Dyche built their entire game around second balls - they'd launch long balls forward, and when the header came down, their midfielders would be positioned to collect it and sustain attacks.
Robbie
Feb 4, 2026
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