| When you are learning how to coach soccer, you | | | | ball. At that point your players should begin to get |
| need to keep in mind that one thing that is | | | | comfortable shielding the ball. To shield the ball your |
| guaranteed during a soccer match is pressure. | | | | players simply maneuvers their body so that it is |
| Whether your players are on offense or defense, | | | | between the defender and the ball. By holding their |
| they will experience pressure from the other team. | | | | arms away from their body it makes it harder for |
| Part of what you need to figure out when learning | | | | the defender to reach around to poke the ball away. |
| how to coach soccer is learning how to teach your | | | | When the defender starts to get too close, the ball |
| players to handle that pressure. | | | | handler can lean back and use their body to force |
| Pressure on the Ball Handler | | | | the defender to back off. Just like dribbling, the ball |
| How many times have you seen a young player | | | | handler must learn to do this with their head up. That |
| blindly kick the ball away whenever a defender gets | | | | way they are able to see an opportunity to dribble |
| within five feet of them. They become so panicked | | | | to the open field, or to make a good pass to an |
| when pressure comes that they lose confidence in | | | | open teammate. |
| their own ability, and make a poor decision with the | | | | Pressure on the Defender |
| ball. You will see this scenario played out time and | | | | Just like a ball handler, your defenders need to get |
| again on soccer fields across the country, even on | | | | comfortable facing pressure. It is not unusual for a |
| older teams. Soccer clubs that consistently field | | | | good offensive team to come with multiple attackers |
| winning teams have learned how to prepare their | | | | as they try to position themselves for a score. An |
| players to handle pressure on the ball. | | | | inexperienced defense can sometimes fall apart when |
| To learn how to coach soccer players to handle the | | | | there are more attackers than there are defenders. |
| defense, you have to start with making sure they | | | | When running drills to train your defenders, make |
| are comfortable with basic ball handling skills. Can your | | | | sure to include drills that create mismatches and |
| players dribble the ball at various speeds without | | | | where the offense out numbers the defense. This |
| losing control, or allowing the ball to get too far in | | | | will give your defenders experience in knowing who |
| front of them? Can they change directions to the | | | | they need to cover, and who will have to be the |
| right and the left using the inside and the outside of | | | | keepers responsibility. Most of all, work on patience |
| both feet? Most importantly, can they control the ball | | | | with your defenders. When they are outnumbered, |
| without watching their own feet? | | | | they cannot afford to make silly mistakes. Make sure |
| Skilled ball handlers dribble with their head up. They | | | | they square up, and that they do not lunge for the |
| are constantly looking at what options are available. | | | | ball, and get themselves out of position. |
| They can see any defenders in front of them, and | | | | A basic concept to remember when you learn how |
| they know where their teammates are. When the | | | | to coach soccer is that game play is much different |
| time comes for them to make a pass, they already | | | | than running controlled drills. The more you can create |
| know who the pass is going to. There are no last | | | | situations in practice that your players are likely to |
| minute, panicked decisions that cause your team to | | | | see in a game, the better prepared they will be on |
| lose the ball. | | | | game day. There is a lot of information available to |
| Once your players become comfortable handling the | | | | teach you how to coach soccer. Take advantage of |
| ball you can begin to practice putting pressure on the | | | | as many resources as you can. |