Lend me your ears even though you may differ with me on this. When it comes to soccer drills, it is important that kids are first trained on the basic skills of the game so that they can get a feel of the game. This soccer training should precede the training the kids on more complex components of soccer or the correct method of playing on field.
As a coach, it becomes your responsibility to ensure that players begin with hitting the right chord. As such, they must be taught all necessary soccer skills that are very basic to the game. Given below are a few soccer basics which are essential for all prospective players to learn.
Teaching the dribbling and shooting techniques to the players: Dribbling and shooting cover the two basic techniques in the game of soccer. In order to be successful in the game, these skills play a defining role. But, for teaching these soccer exercises, you should see that all preparations are made in advance.
Beginning from one end of the field, arrange all players in a straight line with a majority of players placed all over the soccer field.
Now signal the players to start. Running around the field, they would try to grab the ball by their feet as they dribble and shoot the ball in the goal located at the opposite end of the field. Regular practice of these two soccer drills will allow them to master these early in their career.
Passing the ball and following directions: Players learn the importance of team spirit as a result of these two soccer skills. In the end, soccer is a team game that must be jointly shared by all the team members. The players will find it really difficult to play as a team if they lack good passing skills and fail to understand and follow simple guidelines.
You can use a simple exercise to make the players learn the passing skills and understand your directions. In the beginning, make the entire team line up in a single row at one side of the field. At a distance of about 5-10 feet, any one player in the team should stand in front of that line.
You’ll signal them to go and the first person in line will attempt to catch the ball from the teammate in the field. The moment you tell them to stop, the player with the ball should then pass it to the first one in row. This is a soccer practice that has the potential to teach the players the ability to listen and follow directions.
Handling the Ball: It’s for you to teach your team members the ability to maneuver the ball in the field by using their feet along with other parts of body. This way they’ll be able to perform more spontaneously on the field. An easy way for players to do it is by practicing to stop the ball with the back or bouncing the ball using knees or the head.
These are the soccer drills which go a long way in developing professional soccer players and then allowing them to master the more difficult aspects and actual game skills. You can get as much information as you like on all soccer related topics by joining our youth soccer coaching community. So register today!
Andre Botelho is a recognized expert in youth soccer coaching. He influences well over 35,000 youth coaches each year with his unique coaching philosophy, and makes it really easy to explode your players’ skills and make training more fun in record time. To download your free youth soccer coaching guide visit: Soccer drills.
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