Lend me your ears even though you may differ with me on this. 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. This soccer training should precede the training the kids on more complex components of soccer or the correct method of playing on field.
You as a coach must make it a point that players take their first step in the right direction. So teach them all the essential soccer skills that form the basis of the game. Following are a few basic skills that each budding player must be skilled at.
Teaching the dribbling and shooting techniques to the players: Dribbling and shooting cover the two basic techniques in the game of soccer. Whether the player be successful in the game or not depends on these two skills to a great extent. 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.
Afterwards tell them to start. They would cover the field, and get the ball with their foot, and would then make an effort to put the ball in the goal through dribbling it toward the opposite end 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 soccer skills will help the players to learn the value of playing in a team. Soccer after all, is a team sport that should be shared equally between all teammates. It’ll be extremely difficult for the players to play as one team when they can’t follow simple instructions or can’t learn the skill of passing the ball amongst them.
You can use a simple exercise to make the players learn the passing skills and understand your directions. In the beginning, make the entire team line up in a single row at one side of the field. Place one team member stand in front of the single line at a distance of 5-10 feet.
You’ll signal them to go and the first person in line will attempt to catch the ball from the teammate in the field. When they are told to stop, the one with the ball should pass it on to the first player in the line. This is a soccer practice that has the potential to teach the players the ability to listen and follow directions.
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. This way they’ll be able to perform more spontaneously on the field. The players can improve on this by practicing the use of heads and knees to throw the ball and stopping the using the back.
These soccer drills offers the simplest way to develop great soccer players who can thereafter go on to learning actual game skills and more complex elements. Find yourself abundant soccer specific information in form of articles, newsletters, tips, and guides at our youth soccer coaching community. So join now!
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: Soccer drills.
