Soccer requires specific skills, such as dribbling, passing, stopping or turning with a ball, catching (for goalies) and kicking. Practicing these skills individually, out of a game situation, helps children master them. Adding points and targets to drills helps them use these skills better in game situations.
Stopping
This drill is intended for lower-level players who need to learn the skill of stopping and controlling an incoming ball.
Players pair up across from each other, anywhere from five yards or greater distance, depending on age and skill level. The first player rolls or easily kicks the ball (depending on his ability to control the ball) to the second player. The second player tries to stop the ball in one quick motion, trapping the ball under his foot. The second player then sends the ball back to the first player.
After players are comfortable stopping incoming balls, keeping their balance and using only one motion, a second sequence is added to the drill. After the second player receives the ball from the first player and successfully stops the ball, he immediately kicks the ball back to the first player with control, who stops the ball and immediately kicks the ball back.
After players master stopping a ball and quickly passing it with control, the drill is changed. After the second player receives the ball from the first player and successfully stops the ball, he immediately dribbles the ball back to the first player's position, while the first player takes the second player's original position. The second player then kicks the ball to the first player, who reverses the drill. This part of the drill teaches players how to stop a ball and immediately begin dribbling with it.
The drill can be made more game-like by adding time limits (e.g., must complete ten successful stop-and-kicks in less than thirty seconds) or target areas (e.g., ball must be stopped and sent back to opposite player without opposite player having to move more than one step to stop the passed ball).
Dribbling
This drill helps players control the ball in game-like situations.
Players form two parallel lines about ten yards apart, with one line of players working as dribblers and the other as receivers. Set up one cone between the first two players of each line and between the last two players of each line. The first player in the dribblers line dribbles the ball down the aisle between the two lines toward the opposite cone. The last player in the receivers line runs down the aisle in the opposite direction of the dribbler, toward the other cone. When the dribbler reaches the cone, she must turn around it with the ball, then quickly pass the ball to the other player who is now near the far cone. The receiver now becomes the dribbler and dribbles the ball back, while the original dribbler moves to the end of the receivers line, and the first player in the receivers line begins to run opposite the new dribbler. Keep repeating this sequence until all players have been a dribbler and a receiver.
After players have practiced the drill for several minutes, add pressure by awarding points for each successful turn-and-pass completed, or for making the turn-and-pass in less than X number of seconds. Give the top one, three or five players a reward.
Passing
This drill teachers players how to receive and pass an incoming ball while moving.
Players pair up with one ball and two cones. Players line up opposite each other, ten or more yards apart depending on skill level. Cones are placed about five yards in front of each player. The first player moves several yards to the right of his cone, while the second player moves the same distance to the right of his cone. Players are now on a diagonal, about five yards away from their cones. The first player kicks the ball to the second player's cone, who must intercept the ball before it reaches his cone and pass it back to the first player. Reverse the drill. After several rotations, have players move to the left of their cones to start the drill. For lower skill levels, the drill can begin with players stopping the ball after running toward it, then passing it back.
Add points for each successful running pass to add pressure to this drill.
Member Comments