| In developing soccer drills for young midfielders there | | | | second important element is that it should be fun. |
| are a number of things that you should take into | | | | Players learn better when they are involved and they |
| consideration. The first and most obvious, yet often | | | | are having fun. The third element that I consider is |
| overlooked is how the drills relate to the skills that | | | | that the drill should have a large element of realism. |
| you are trying to develop in your young players. The | | | | Drills should teach players how to react in game |
| second consideration is what are the important | | | | situations, and so should mimic these game situations |
| elements of a good soccer drill, and finally what are | | | | as much as possible. The final element is that the drill |
| the skills that you are trying to develop? | | | | should relate to the skill that you are trying to |
| In deciding what drills to perform with your players | | | | develop. |
| there are a number of things you should take into | | | | What key skills are you looking to develop in your |
| consideration. What formation are you going to use | | | | midfielders? Midfielders need to have good mobility, |
| on the field, and what strategy are you going to | | | | passing skills, first touch skills, defensive skills, and be |
| use? What are the respective strengths and | | | | able to work in limited space. I find small sided games |
| weaknesses of your players? What skills do you | | | | a great way to develop these skills. 1 vs 1, 2 vs 2, 3 |
| need to develop and maintain in your players? I have | | | | vs 3, or you can use unbalanced numbers like 2 vs 3. |
| been guilty in the past of using drills at training | | | | There are many variations you can use with these |
| because another coach had told me about a good | | | | games depending on the skills you are trying to |
| drill, or I found it on the internet, when in reality the | | | | develop. I sometimes use 4 vs 4 but I find that this |
| drill did not really help develop the skills that my | | | | starts to limit the number of ball touches that some |
| players required. You should only decide what drills | | | | players will receive. Depending on the number of |
| you are going to perform at training after you have | | | | players that you have on your team you may have a |
| decided what skills you are trying to develop. This | | | | number of these games running at the same time. |
| decision should be based on what formation you are | | | | In deciding what drills you are going to use with your |
| looking to play, and the current skill levels of your | | | | young midfielders, you must first decide what skills |
| players. | | | | you are looking to develop. You should then ensure |
| What makes a good soccer drill? There are a number | | | | that the drills you use involve all players as much as |
| of important elements of any soccer drill. The first of | | | | possible, are fun, and relate directly to game |
| these is that it should involve each of the players as | | | | situations and the skills you are trying to develop. |
| much as possible. This is measured by the number of | | | | You can then use a variety of small sided games at |
| ball touches that each player gets during the drill. The | | | | training to help develop these skills. |