The competitive nature of soccer means that you should improve your skills constantly to keep up with other players. Before and after practice, practice certain skills with other teammates, giving all of you an advantage over teammates and the opposition. By completing a few drills throughout the week, you can drastically improve your soccer game.
Passing
Work on your passing frequently by going through some drills. A two-on-two passing drill requires you and a teammate to pass the ball to each other while two other teammates attempt to steal the ball. You can do the same drill in a three-on-one format, which gives you more passing options. Move around after you pass the ball, as soccer players go into motion after passing the ball to give teammates a chance to return the pass.
Shooting
Before you can shoot with maximum power, improve the accuracy of your soccer kicks. Line up with a soccer ball about 10 yards from a teammate. While standing still, kick the ball and attempt to hit your teammate with it. Your teammate becomes a goaltender in this situation and blocks the ball. Once you can strike the ball accurately, you can add more power to your kicks by running at the ball.
Dribbling
An important skill in soccer is dribbling, specifically the ability to beat an opponent one on one. Practice your dribbling by having a teammate attempt to steal the ball from you in a roughly 10 yard by 10 yard box, as you attempt to get a shot on goal. Your teammate lines up between you and the goal to prevent you from scoring. Shield the ball from your opponent throughout this drill, while changing speeds and direction.
Corner Kicks
Corner kicks occur in every game, so having skill in this area of the game improves your overall usefulness to the team. If you can master the near post corner and the far post corner, you can create offense from a corner kick in nearly any situation. On a near post corner, you kick the ball to a player beside the near post, who makes a play. On a far post corner, you kick the ball across the crease to a player waiting at the far post. Have one teammate lined up on each side of the net and practice kicking corners to them. Once you have completed a corner to each of them, take one of their positions and practice receiving corner kicks as well.
Leg Power
Increasing your leg strength helps you shoot the ball harder and gives you an explosive burst when running. Plyometric exercises, such as dropping from a raised platform and jumping into the air once you land, contract your muscles and improve your power. Deadlifts and squats also make your legs more powerful when completed at a higher weight with fewer repetitions.
References
- "Youth Soccer Drills: 84 Drills for Beginning and Intermediate Players"; Jim Garland; 2003
- "Soccer Strategies: Defensive and Attacking Tactics"; Robyn Jones, et al.; 1999
- "The Science of Training: Soccer: A Scientific Approach to Developing Strength, Speed and Endurance"; Thomas Reilly; 2006
Member Comments