Soccer is one the most popular sport in United Kingdom. Generally, the style of play for soccer in the UK is described as direct and aggressive with primary focus on long passing and heading. Players should focus on a number of technical areas when training.
Long Passing
Long passing is important for UK soccer training. Players should practice accurately kicking passes of 25 to 50 yards to teammates. Take a few balls and set up a trash can 40 yards away as a target. See how close you can get to hitting the trashcan with your long pass. Work on striking the ball with different trajectory. Sometimes kick it as a line drive with your shoelaces and other times chip the ball a bit more to put arch and hang time on the ball.
Heading
Heading is crucial to soccer in the UK. Players must be aggressive in challenging for offensive and defensive headers. Defensive heading must send the ball as high and far away from the goal as possible, preferably toward the sidelines. Offensive heading should send the ball downward, toward the goal.
For a defensive heading drill, have passers make long passes of 25 to 40 yards to defenders to head away from the goal. To practice offensive heading, have player cross the ball for attacking players to head into the goal past a goalkeeper. The more repetitions you can practice, the better.
Crossing
Crossing the ball is an important element of UK soccer because teams will often times have a tall forward who is good at heading. Players should practice crossing on the move and standing still from a wide area of the field, passing it in the air to the center of the penalty box. The crosser should start about 5 yards inside of the sideline, dribble 5 yards and deliver a cross into the box for the forward to head. Crossers should be aiming for the penalty spot for their crosses. Practicing corner kicks is a good way to work on crossing a stationary ball.
Endurance And Fitness
Soccer players in the UK are known for their cardiovascular endurance, fitness levels and tireless work rate. For an effective fitness workout, run "doggies." Start on the end line, outside the goal. Sprint to the 6-yard line, pivot on the line and return to the end line. Immediately turn again and run to the edge of the 18-yard box. Pivot at the 18-yard box and return to the start at the end line. Turn again and sprint to the half field line, pivot at the half field line and return to the start at the end line. Turn again and sprint the the 18-yard box and back. End by sprinting to the six-yard box and back. Repeat five to 10 repetitions and rest for one minute after each run. Try to make each run in 30 seconds.
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