| Coaches have used soccer drills for years to teach a | | | | Some coaches prefer drills that more resemble a |
| variety of moves and strategies to players. While | | | | game. This short 8-minute drill is designed to provide |
| many players argue that repetitive drills are boring, | | | | constant movement in a fun way and helps players |
| the benefits of practicing the same skill over and | | | | work on crossing, finishing, goalkeeping and team |
| over again can make the difference between a team | | | | communication. |
| full of qualified players who are ready to go up | | | | Break the group into teams of 3's or 4's, giving each |
| against even the toughest team, and a team with | | | | team a ball. Instruct the player holding the ball to go |
| little or no teamwork capabilities or soccer skill. | | | | to the sideline 18 yards from the end line. The player |
| The goal of the coach is to find drill that not only | | | | then dribbles the ball to the end line, and crosses the |
| teaches specific playing skills, but which are fun for | | | | ball back toward the middle, while the teammates try |
| players. Here are a few basic skills drills to get your | | | | to score one touch. If the ball is on the ground and is |
| team started: | | | | scored, the team scores one point, but, if the ball is |
| Taking Control of the ball is vitally important in the | | | | served in the air and volleyed into the goal, it counts |
| game of soccer. One way to help players learn to | | | | as 3 points. If the ball is played in the air and headed |
| gain control is by separating them into two teams in | | | | into the goal, it counts as 5 points for the team. Each |
| two single file lines facing each other. Serve the ball | | | | player serves the ball twice before rotating. Each |
| into the air while each player fights for control of it. | | | | team can only use their own ball. |
| Learning to protect the ball can be done with this | | | | Here are a few other short drills that can aid players |
| simple one-on-one drill: have one player stand next to | | | | in developing better kicking and ball control: |
| the ball with his/her feet a shoulder width apart, while | | | | Inside Roll: Roll the ball across your body from outside |
| the second player stands on the outside shoulder of | | | | to inside with the inside and sole of the foot, |
| the first player. Instruct player 2 to get his foot on | | | | stopping the ball with the inside of the other foot. |
| the ball "by any means necessary", which forces the | | | | Push-Pull: Using the inside of the foot, tap ball back |
| opposing player to maintain balance, protect the ball | | | | and forth and pushing it forward with one foot and |
| and learn how to respond to aggressive opponents. | | | | pulling it back the sole of the opposite foot. |