Coaching Soccer Drills: Secrets Revealed!
I’m not sure if you know this but young players have real trouble in kicking the ball by using a straight leg? Both coach and the kids feel that this is by far the greatest trouble in way of coaching soccer drills. The player has to be in total balance and the leg used for kicking the ball is bent at the knee. Both posture and strength to kick the ball comes out from below the knee.
In soccer practice, this is the opening pose for just about all types of kicks. The speeding up of the foot from below the knee generates a great impact on the ball. The players get immense power from this to perform several styles of kicks. Still, the style of kick that would emerge would depend upon the nature of contact of the ball with the foot.
For example; it could be hit very high, driven low, swung over left, or lean towards right.
The three essential passes in soccer are a side foot pass, instep drive, and the outside of the foot pass. Let’s now discuss them some more.
The side foot pass: In teaching soccer, the simplest and the most commonly used pass is this. Normally, it is used to make short distance passes. Though it is a little slow and quite predictable during the game but is very easy for the kids to learn and execute accurately. The foot turned outward, ball comes into contact on the outside of the ankle and the foot.
In coaching soccer drills, players should know that their body need not be tense during the movement with the ball. This is by far the most critical rule applicable to all types of kicking actions. Players should strengthen the ankle and the foot only at the time of making contact with the ball.
Once the players become confident, their overall action should seem relaxed, smooth and effortless.
Outside of the foot pass: Since this pass can never be predicted, is pretty accurate and quick, players must be trained on this even though it’s a little tough to master. A contact is made with the ball between the laces and outside edge of the foot with the foot extended and turned inward. The pass is then transformed into a quick throw for short distances by using the foot.
In the course of these coaching drills, players should keep their stance relaxed.
The Instep Drive: Both the lofted version and the low driven version of the instep drive are used to pass the ball over longer distances. Once the players are confident in executing it, make a “chip pass” or an “in swinging pass” by introducing some changes in it. As the approach of the instep drive is slightly angled and the non kicking foot is placed about 12 inches to the side of and behind the ball.
The contact with the ball is made between the laces and the inside of the foot and it should be stiff and extended.
So then, go on and train your players on these basic techniques of kicking along with the variations so that the ball does little different things.
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Andre Botelho is a recognized authority in youth soccer coaching and has already helped thousands of youth coaches to dramatically improve their coaching skills. Learn how to explode your players’ skills and make training fun by downloading your free ebook at: Soccer Training Drills.
