I don’t know a thing about you, but I’ll bet that there are many coaches out there struggling to find effective and free soccer drills for their players. Actually what they are looking for are drills that can be performed by the kids all alone without any supervision.
The best way to kick-start the training sessions are to use soccer drills that do not require any equipment. You know why, because these soccer exercises are specifically designed to suit the player’s age , learning potential and the role he plays in the team.
There is one great drill to teach players the skill to dribble a soccer ball and at the same time, be aware of what is going on around them. This drill has been successfully used by many coaches, and I can guarantee that it is so much superior than getting your players to dribble through cones.
The players may find this particular drill rather demanding but it is this competitive nature of this drill that ensures player’s wholehearted participation in soccer practice.
Let me tell you how to organize this drill.
Firstly, mark a square of about 20 yards by 20 yards. The square’s size depends on the number of players and their age.
The number of players on each side of the square should be the same. Players, with their own ball, stand opposite to each other on the sides of the square.
As soon as the coach whistles, each player will dribble the ball to the opposite side and stop on the line opposite to them. This is better than the rest of the free soccer drills because this coaches the players to dribble across the square with their heads up and at the same time not disturbing the other player’s movement in the square.
This drill adds more fun when the players are asked to dribble across the square and back again making them to turn 180 degrees with the ball. Across the square, for every run, the players vary the number of times they dribble the ball. Let them compete where the final player is eliminated until there is only one player left.
Sometimes,when the players are only a few, you’ll have to ask the players to run with the ball and not to dribble it.
Coaching the kids of the vital techniques of ball dribbling is truly a great fun. To make the players like the training, one can mix tough and light drills in the training. One can add some drills which are not directly linked to the soccer game but are added for fun.
The one thing that should never forgotten in soccer coaching is that the kids shouldn’t do too much of anything.
Trust me when I say this, When you start applying these free soccer drills in your training programs , you will see for yourself how quickly the kids can learn the essentials of the game.
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About the author
Andre Botelho is the author of “The Expert Youth Soccer Coaching Guide” and he’s a recognized expert in the subject of youth soccer coaching. Learn how to explode your players’ skills and make coaching sessions fun in less than 29 days! Download your free pdf guide at: Free Soccer Drills.