| One of the real trends taking place in US Soccer now | | | | Here are a couple of drills that you can introduce to |
| is a renewed focus on developing technical skills. The | | | | your team to help them develop better touch on |
| ability to run at a defender and beat him off the | | | | their dribbling: |
| dribble will cause all kinds of chaos for the defense. | | | | End zones |
| Unfortunately, most youth soccer teams put | | | | Two teams send out one player each to a 15x10 |
| misplaced focus on team tactics and harnessing the | | | | yard area with 2 yard end zones at each end. The |
| strengths of their players. 8 year olds don't need to | | | | coach serves the ball between the players. The |
| learn tactics, they need to master the fundamentals | | | | players work to get the ball, beat their opponent on |
| of dribbling, passing and shooting. | | | | the dribble and stop the ball in the end zone. Switch |
| When teaching the moves, you will want to | | | | roles after a loss of possession. If the ball goes out |
| demonstrate the move, break it down step by step | | | | of the grid, restart with a new ball. Switch to a new |
| and have your players practice it in free space. Next | | | | pair of players after a goal or 1 minute. |
| have them practice the moves in a crowded area. | | | | Keep Away Every player except two will start with |
| Mark off a grid and put all your players inside of it. | | | | a ball inside of the penalty area. On your signal they |
| Have them dribble and then perform a specific move | | | | will begin dribbling within the area while the two |
| when you call it out. Next, have one player dribble | | | | outside players come in and try to take the ball |
| while another player applies light pressure. The final | | | | away. The two defenders will try to knock each |
| step is to have them incorporate it in a game | | | | players ball out of the box. When a player loses his |
| situation. During your scrimmage you can set rules | | | | ball, he must retrieve it and juggle while the game |
| where players must beat someone off the dribble | | | | continues. Continue until there are just two players |
| before they can score. Or give extra points (goals) | | | | left with a ball. They will become the defenders for |
| to teams that show exceptional skill and creativity | | | | the next round of play. |
| with the ball. | | | | |