Here’s a really simple way to control the ball to pass or shoot and this skill can be mastered through performing various free soccer training drills. In this article, you will find 2 soccer drills, Shoulder To Shoulder and Shark in the Middle discussed in detail for you.
Shoulder To Shoulder drill is meant for offensive and defensive players. The main goal of this exercise is to teach offensive player to practice fast shooting under pressure and let the defensive players practice clearing the ball.
This drill uses three players per drill group. The distance between A and B is about 10-15 yards.
B and the defensive player line up shoulder to shoulder. B and the defensive player, standing next to each other, face away from the goal on the left side of the field. As soon as the coach whistles, A throws the ball in the rear of the remaining 2 players. B and the defensive player begin to make efforts to take control of the ball. B’s goal is to take shot on the goal while the defensive player’s objective is to turn with the ball and dribble it above the center line.
By actively choosing coaching drills like Shoulder to Shoulder, players learn to win the ball despite being under immense pressure from an opposing player.
Shark in the Middle is an enjoyable game which the team can play at any time during practice and you can set its duration as per your requirement. This is one of several free soccer training drills that aims to make the players more attentive and in control in high-pressure games.
Players make a large circle in the field. A player is chosen to be the Shark and stands in the center of the circle. One ball is used here and it is given to a random player standing inside the circle.
When you blow the whistle, the player with the ball passes it to the other player along the circle. Then the second player passes it to another that he likes and this goes on like this.
Then the whistle is blown again signaling the start of the game. The aim of the game is that the shark should not be allowed to touch the ball. The player may select to pass the ball to anyone along the circle, be it a teammate right next to him or a teammate far away. The players attempt to make as many passes as they can.
This process continues until the shark captures the ball.
When the ball is possessed, the player that caused the ball to be intercepted goes on to become the new shark and the first shark goes along the circle.
Shark in the Middle is one of those football drills that demands a great deal of thinking and the ability to act like a shark.
To end the discussion, these free soccer training drills help players to build self-confidence to handle the ball while under pressure from an approaching opposition. If you want more information and knowledge please subscribe to our youth soccer coaching community where a lot of learning resources are available.
Andre Botelho is a recognized expert in youth soccer coaching. He influences well over 35,000 youth coaches each year with his unique coaching philosophy, and makes it really easy to explode your players’ skills and make training more fun in record time. To download your free youth soccer coaching guide visit: Free soccer training drills.
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