Try to understand my view point even if you don’t have the same opinion. Talking about soccer drills, the most important thing for the players is to have an understanding of the game for which they should be taught the basics first. The soccer training we talked about must happen first before starting with teaching them the more difficult parts or the best way of playing the game.
Since you are a soccer coach, the onus lies on you that the players start on a right note. Therefore, train the players on all indispensable soccer skills which provide for a strong foundation. Let’s discuss some basic skills in the game that are important for every player to understand.
Teach the players the skills of shooting and dribbling the ball: Players must first learn the two most basic techniques in soccer, dribbling and shooting. To become a successful player, these skills have a major role to play in their game. However, you must arrange for teaching these soccer exercises before hand.
Starting from one end of the field put more than a few players over the field and line up all players in a straight line.
Next tell the players to start. The players must then run around and attempt to catch the ball using their foot while dribbling and shooting it inside the goal on opposite side of the field. Regular practice of these two soccer drills will allow them to master these early in their career.
Passing the ball and following directions: These two soccer skills have the potential to inculcate team spirit in the players. In any case, soccer being a team sport should be uniformly spread among all team mates. It’ll be impossible for them to display team spirit if they don’t learn good quality passing skills or don’t understand simple directions.
There is a simple drill that can be used to teach them about passing the ball and following directions. At the start, the entire team should form a single line at either end of the field. One team member should be then made to stand in front of the row almost 5-10 feet away.
When you give them a green signal, the first one in the row will try to get the ball from other players present on the field. When you tell them to stop, the player having the ball should pass it to the first individual in line. In this soccer practice, players will get an opportunity to practice listening and following instructions.
Handling the Ball: Being the coach, decide and take time to teach players how to handle the ball using other parts of their body besides their feet. Because of this the players will be more spontaneous in their play while on field. Do this by making the player’s practice bouncing the ball with their heads and knees, or stopping the ball with their backs.
Soccer drills like these help in developing players that become match winners and make their way to learning more difficult components of the game. You can get as much information as you like on all soccer related topics by joining our youth soccer coaching community. So register now!
Andre Botelho is known online as “The Expert Youth Soccer Coach” and his free ebooks and reports have been downloaded more than 100,000 times. Learn how to skyrocket your players’ skills and make practice sessions fun in record time. Download your free ebook at: Youth Soccer Drills.
