Soccer Coaching Drills to Build Mastery On
Coaching soccer starts with a combination of teaching fundamental sportsmanship and showing players how to work as a team. Only when participants have these basic ideas in hand can they begin to learn the important technical skills. Assuming you already have the team mentality and individual confidence built up, a myriad of soccer coaching drills are available to set you on your way to a winning team. Each of the following are combination practices that can be revised as your team improves, or broken down into individual parts for those players just starting out.
PASSING. Place three players in line and have them move the ball downfield by dribbling to the middle then passing to the outside. Rotate players’ positions until each has played outside and middle. There are many possible variations to this combination passing. Always refine soccer coaching drills to the specific skills needing practice in your team.
SHOOTING. A complex drill focusing on both offense and defense is the 5v4 Attack. Five attackers are placed in a close group facing the goalkeeper, who boots the ball into play. When the ball lands, four defenders move in from the corner flags to take away the ball. The attackers must pass the ball, but score before completing seven to 10 passes. Conversely, the defenders are to try to gain possession and complete at least seven to 10 passes.
DEFENSE. A lesson in turnovers helps players learn to retain their positions and set up counter attacks. Three attackers and four defenders take the field, with the center goal in front of the attackers and two smaller goals perpendicular on each side of the field. The attackers must score in the center goal, while the defenders must try to gain possession from the attackers and score in either small goal. The first team to score remains on the field, while the other team is replaced with new players.
These soccer coaching drills build on basic skills of moving the ball and working together to gain possession and score. Younger players may benefit from simpler versions, while more experienced players can practice variations focused on specific tasks.
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