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