| Whether trying out or playing for a youth soccer | | | | develop the players' ability to manipulate the ball and |
| club, ball control is critical to every position on the | | | | keep it under control. Have all players dribble their |
| soccer field. Since it is such an important soccer skill, | | | | soccer balls while trying to knock other player's balls |
| youth soccer players should practice the | | | | outside of the grid. |
| fundamentals of ball control over and over at an | | | | - Man-in-the-Middle (aka Pig-in-the-Middle) - Break the |
| early age through soccer drills customized to improve | | | | players up into teams of three with one soccer ball |
| your dribbling. A few youth soccer ball control drills | | | | per team. One player starts out in the middle as a |
| are listed below but you can find many more free | | | | defensive player while the other two take up |
| soccer ball control drills online at websites like | | | | positions across from each other. The two offensive |
| A team without effective ball control will have | | | | players must pass the ball back and forth without the |
| problems attacking, counterattacking, and ultimately, | | | | defensive player gaining control of the ball. If the |
| winning youth soccer games. Crisp passes, clean | | | | defensive player succeeds in trapping the soccer ball, |
| receiving, controlled dribbling, and moving the ball | | | | they switch places with the player who passed it. |
| towards the opposing goal will allow teams to | | | | The offensive skills acquired by youth soccer players |
| consistently set up scoring opportunities. Every | | | | are 1) making crisp, accurate passes 2) receiving the |
| soccer practice should involve ball control drills until it | | | | ball cleanly and in control. The defensive soccer player |
| becomes second nature to young players. | | | | will learn to 1) position themselves effectively 2) |
| Ball Control Drills for Youth Soccer Players | | | | become efficient at trapping the ball. |
| These ball control drills are not only effective for | | | | By establishing effective ball control in soccer games, |
| acquiring this mandatory skill, they will also add to the | | | | you'll be able to consistently put yourself into a |
| enjoyment of a soccer practice. The players will | | | | position to win. The opposing team can't score while |
| develop skills in dribbling, passing, receiving, positioning, | | | | you are in possession and is bound to make a |
| and trapping. | | | | mistake in trying to gain control. That's when you |
| - Knockout Drill - The objective of this game is to | | | | strike. |