The Truth About Free Soccer Training Drills
Let me show you how to control the ball in a manner so as to shoot or pass effectively and this skill can be perfected through the various free soccer training drills. In this article, Shoulder To Shoulder and Shark in the Middle are two such soccer drills that have been discussed in detail for you.
Shoulder To Shoulder drill works both for offensive and defensive players. The main purpose of this exercise is to teach offensive player to practice fast shooting under pressure and let the defensive players practice clearing the ball.
This drill uses three players per drill group. The distance between A and B is about 10-15 yards.
B and the defensive player line up joining shoulder to shoulder. B and the defensive player, standing along with each other, face away from the goal on the left side of the field. As soon as the coach whistles, A throws the ball in the rear of the remaining 2 players. B and the defensive player attempt to take control of the ball. B’s goal is to take shot on the goal while the defensive player’s objective is to turn with the ball and dribble it above the center line.
By actively choosing coaching drills like Shoulder to Shoulder, players learn to win the ball despite being under immense pressure from an opposing player.
Shark in the Middle is an interesting game that can be played any time during the practice and its duration can be worked out as per the need. It is one of many free soccer training drills that helps players achieve attentiveness and self-control in high-pressure situations.
Players assemble themselves in a large circle in the field. Then a player is made to act like a Shark and stand in the center of the circle. One ball is used here and it is given to a random player standing inside the circle.
On your whistle the player with the ball passes the ball to any other player alongside the circle. Then the second player passes it to another he wishes and it goes on like this.
Then the whistle is blown again signaling the start of the game. The sole purpose of the game is to keep the ball away from the shark. Player may pass the ball to anyone along the circle, be it a teammate right next to him or a teammate at a distance. Players try to make as many passes as possible.
This process continues until the shark captures the ball.
When the ball is captured, the player that caused the ball to be intercepted becomes the new shark and the first shark finds a place along the circle.
Shark in the Middle is one of those football drills that call for quick thinking and the understanding of how sharks think.
To conclude, these free soccer training drills help players to build self-confidence to handle the ball while under pressure from an imminent attack. Subscribe to our youth soccer coaching community to for more such youth coaching tips and tactics.
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: Free soccer training drills.
No Comments