| A big problem young soccer players tend to have is | | | | during a game when a ball comes across and you |
| a lack of balance while playing. The reasons for this | | | | have the opportunity to volley the ball (whether it's |
| range from lack of training to lack of a good stance | | | | toward goal or a clearing volley). Having the ability to |
| to a simple lack of understanding of the importance | | | | maintain your balance when others can't will make |
| balance has in soccer. | | | | you a more successful soccer player. |
| Too often you see a ball go right past a young | | | | Do a series of one-legged volleys 3 times a week (it |
| player when it seems that all she had to do was take | | | | just takes a few minutes a day) and see the |
| a small step toward the ball. Frequently the reason is | | | | improvement in your game. |
| the player is off balance and unready to receive the | | | | One of the differences between successful teams |
| ball. The simple solution to being off balance is for the | | | | and teams that aren't as unsuccessful is how they |
| player to be on the balls of her feet when on the | | | | pressure upfront and also how they handle pressure |
| field and not standing | | | | in back. While there certainly are times when it's |
| flatfooted. Being on the balls of your feet simply | | | | necessary for backs to clear balls out of pressure |
| means having the weight on the front half of the | | | | there are other times when successful teams work |
| foot instead of having most of the weight on the | | | | the balls out of pressure and both possess the ball |
| heals of the feet. It's what some people refer to as | | | | and also move it up field. |
| being on their toes (the problem with asking people | | | | Some of the keys to working the ball out of |
| to stand on their toes is that this would be a position | | | | pressure in back include backs having the confidence |
| that would be very unstable and not help with the | | | | to pass the ball to a player who isn't wide open and |
| balance issue at all so instead having them on the | | | | also having midfielders move into the proper space to |
| balls of the feet allows them more balance and more | | | | provide adequate support. Too often when a back |
| stability). As soon as players start being on the balls | | | | has the ball and is being pressured, you see |
| of their feet, they do a much better job of also | | | | midfielders run straight up the field when the reality |
| staying aware of what is happening around them. | | | | is, the backs need support wide. Rather than running |
| An example of how to train for balance is to work | | | | up the field the midfielders needs to go wide first to |
| on volleys while standing on one foot. Start off in a | | | | get themselves open and then consider whether to |
| group of two with one ball per group. One player | | | | move forward, backward or stay right there. When a |
| stands with all of her weight on her left foot and her | | | | midfielder runs straight up the field they frequently |
| right foot is in the air. The second player throws the | | | | are making a run that puts them directly behind the |
| ball (underhanded) to her and she volleys the ball | | | | player pressuring the ball which makes it very difficult |
| back with her right foot. Do 20 volleys with the right | | | | for the player with the ball to be able to pass it, |
| foot and then switch roles and then do 20 volleys | | | | under pressure to this midfielder. By going wide first, |
| with the left foot. The key is that during all 20 | | | | the midfielder gets out from behind the defender and |
| volleys, the foot used to volley (in our example the | | | | gives the back an angle to make the successful |
| right foot) must stay off the ground at all times. Not | | | | pass. When you combine the backs having the |
| only does this work on some technique work but it | | | | confidence to pass the ball and the midfielders |
| also works on balance and some fitness work (it's a | | | | coming back and supporting the ball instead of |
| great workout for the lower leg muscles and will also | | | | running away from the ball, it allows the team to |
| help to strengthen the ankle area). Once you train | | | | possess the ball and progress the ball down the field. |
| this way for a while, you will find it much easier | | | | |