You might disagree, but hear me out on this. When it comes to soccer drills, it is important that kids are first trained on the basic skills of the game so that they can get a feel of the game. This soccer training should take place before you begin coaching them on more complicated elements of the game or the right way of playing the actual game.
As a coach, it becomes your responsibility to ensure that players begin with hitting the right chord. So teach them all the essential soccer skills that form the basis of the game. Following are a few basic skills that each budding player must be skilled at.
Teaching the dribbling and shooting techniques to the players: Dribbling and shooting cover the two basic techniques in the game of soccer. In order to be successful in the game, these skills play a defining role. But, for teaching these soccer exercises, you should see that all preparations are made in advance.
Starting from one end of the field put more than a few players over the field and line up all players in a straight line.
Afterwards tell them to start. The players must then run around and attempt to catch the ball using their foot while dribbling and shooting it inside the goal on opposite side of the field. When they practice these two soccer drills on a daily basis, they’ll be able to learn them fast.
Passing the ball and following directions: Players learn the importance of team spirit as a result of these two soccer skills. Soccer after all, is a team sport that should be shared equally between all teammates. It’ll be impossible for them to display team spirit if they don’t learn good quality passing skills or don’t understand simple directions.
In order to teach them first rate passing skills and help them follow directions, there is an easy exercise. In the beginning, make the entire team line up in a single row at one side of the field. At a distance of about 5-10 feet, any one player in the team should stand in front of that line.
You’ll signal them to go and the first person in line will attempt to catch the ball from the teammate in the field. The moment you tell them to stop, the player with the ball should then pass it to the first one in row. This is a soccer practice that has the potential to teach the players the ability to listen and follow directions.
Handling the Ball: Being the coach, decide and take time to teach players how to handle the ball using other parts of their body besides their feet. This will result in players being more natural in their performance on the field. This can be done when players practice throwing the ball using their knees or head and to use their back to stop the ball.
Soccer drills like these help in developing players that become match winners and make their way to learning more difficult components of the game. Find yourself abundant soccer specific information in form of articles, newsletters, tips, and guides at our youth soccer coaching community. So join now!
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: Soccer drills.