Improve soccer performance, confidence on the ball and increase overall skill

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Soccer Skills; fun games that build skill

Soccer tennis is a great way to develop skills for the game of soccer.

Two, three, four or more can play. The ideal sides are 1 on 1 or 2 on 2.

A sturdy or firm net approximately 30 to 36 inches high is ideal. We like benches or 2×6 pieces of wood placed on stands to resemble a net because the ball plays of of the net and adds a new challenge or tactic.  Set the field up on grass or any place there is room.

For 1 on 1 the field can be 6 yards wide by 8-10 yards deep. 3 touches and one bounce per side in any combination to try to return a ball played to each player.

For 2 v2 the real challenge is to require both players to touch the ball befor it is returned. Three touches and one bounce in any combination per side.

For players not familiar with the game or not proficient in juggling, try to rally with your partner or opponent until you get the hang of it and become more adept at the skills needed to play.

Play with smaller balls like a #3 or a brasilian futebol (www.brasilianfutebol.com). The smaller ball increases focus and helps develop eye-foot coordination and dexterity. The brasilian futebol is well weighted to approximate the feel of a reg #5 and is bouncy so players develop a soft first touch.

Playing soccer tennis is a fun way to develop the skills and the skills players aquire while playing it will easily translate into the real game.

http://www.brasilianfutebol.com/futebol-tennis

Soccer: Emphatically fundamental

The fundamentals of any game are important if players are going to succeed at higher levels. Look at the best players in the world, they all have a solid fundamental base that makes the simple parts of the game seem effortless.
Passing, trapping and dribbling are essential parts of the game of soccer. Repetition is important and getting as many touches on the ball as possible in any given session will help develop these skills as well as confidence if performed in the proper environment.
Technical training needs to be success oriented and goal oriented with proper technique emphasized in every exercise. It also helps if the drills are varied to alleviate boredom, loss of focus and also because situations vary in the game of soccer. Creating a competitive environment can go a long way towards creating enthusiasm while mastering the fundamentals.

Start with the basics; good passing, accurate with the right pace so the player receiving the ball can receive it and be able to look for the next pass, shot or play;  good trapping, soft touch with the body positioned behind the ball, keeping the ball close so the next pass is easily made and defenders can’t step in and steal it.

It is important to instill discipline and have expectations of completing the given task to a high level of competency level when teaching fundamentals. Do not let your players advance to B until A is complete, meaning done correctly and with confidence.

Once they are completing A, B and C competently then make sure drills are moving quickly and everybody is involved. Make drills success oriented with several tasks involved, including running/fitness.

The Ajax system of training has some great drills that cover fundamentals.

Soccer Training; Small Ball training with the Brasilian Futebol

Soccer Training: Small Ball Training

Training with a small ball is excellent for developing skills. A smaller ball will help players  enhance  eye-foot coordination, increase focus on the ball and refine mechanics used to receive (trap) and control a regulation soccer ball.

Small ball training can be done individually or in group sessions. Juggling is an excellent way to train individually. Check out www.brasilianfutebol.com/applications/juggling.asp.

Soccer-Tennis is also a great game to play 1v1 or 2v2. Take a look at www.soccer-tennis.com

Small ball training is for tiger ball situations (3v1 or 5v2) or sessions of keep-away, 3v3 to 8v8 with no goals ( try putting together 5 touches consecutively for a point).

 Try some small ball training. It develops touch, refines control and builds confidence on the ball.