Challenging Soccer Drills For Players

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Written by Steve Miles

Saturday, 25 April 2009 14:29

by SteveMiles

Kids play soccer simply because it is fun to play. They get to run around, kick a ball and have the comradeship of team play. One of the biggest detractions to playing soccer is a dull practice that doesn't challenge them with new techniques to try and worst of all standing around in a line while someone else is kicking a ball at a goal. Soccer practices don't have to be dull and boring. Soccer practices don't have to involve running laps around the pitch. Soccer drills can be fun.

Practices should involve match situations for the players. Running laps or standing in lines does not reflect match situations. Soccer players do run a lot during a match. This running is generally in short bursts that require both quick acceleration and speed. Running laps around the soccer pitch does not develop the muscles in order to have acceleration and speed. The running can be provided to the player in match situations, which will build muscles for both speed and acceleration. These exercises or drills are all done with a ball at the feet of the players thus increasing their skills and abilities.

Nearly every practice field can be observed to have a team waiting in line to take a shot on goal. There may or not be a goalkeeper in the goal. Players standing in line become bored and loose interest in the practice. A better method of providing this experience is to create game situations for the players. Lets create a hypothetical team of 12 players. Create six teams of players and place them into a 1 V 1 situation. Reduce the size of the playing area and play these six teams into 6 small fields. The players play in a 1 V 1 situation with a goal to shoot at. This develops the techniques required to beat an opponent on the field during a match. The players are allowed to play in the 1 V 1 situation for a time then they have the opportunity to switch and play against another opponent.

One of the basic requirements during a match is to spread the field out. This is accomplished by passing the ball from one teammate to another. Passing the ball requires the opponent to work to provide defense against the attack. To provide this opportunity during practice the coach can create three 2 V 2 teams. Each of these teams is provided a uniquely colored ball and a goal. The teams are placed in a triangular pattern and must score on an opponent's goal while defending their own. Restrictions can be placed upon the players during play. Restrictions can include the number of touches each player makes upon the ball, number of consecutive passes or which goal can be scored upon.

The final part of practice involves the twelve players being separated into two 6 V 6 teams. These two teams will play on half of the pitch with a goal of reduced size. During this 6 V 6 play restrictions can be made by the coach as to number of successful passes, method of goal scoring or other requirements prior to shooting on goal. The play in this exercise or drill insures that the players get to touch the ball and each player is involved in short distance running which builds the correct muscles for both acceleration and speed.

As can be seen these drills involve a significant amount of running in each drill. Time should be taken at the start of practice to introduce a new technique for the players to work on in each drill. Since each drill involves running and match intensity, a short break should be taken between each drill to allow the players a time for recovery. The coach can utilize this recovery time to provide further instruction on the particular skill that is being emphasized during the practice session.

Many restrictions can be placed upon the players during this practice time. For younger and more inexperienced players the limits can be as simple as they must play with only their left foot. For more experienced players the limits can be as complex as performing a step over move or a step around move prior to scoring. These restrictions are only limited by the imagination of the coach.

Providing a series of drills that advance from 1 V 1 to nearly full team conditions replicate the conditions of a soccer match. The players are constantly active building muscles that are appropriate for the match conditions that are met. The skills acquired during these training sessions provide the players the experience of playing against an opponent in a 1 V 1 situation all the way up to playing with a full team. These training sessions are enjoyable for the players and provide them an opportunity to develop and hone their skills during match situations.

About the Author:

Soccer Mastermind is a must for any competitive soccer player looking to increase his or her skills. Everything you ought to know about soccer drills can be found in this little group.