Soccer Drills for Youth Players Receiving the Ball
Soccer drills for youth players receiving of the ball will help the player trap the ball, and control its movement effortlessly, without having the ball bounce off the players foot making the player chase the ball, and risk loosing the possession.
Soccer ball can be trapped with the inside of the foot, outside of the foot, thigh, chest or head.
Trapping the soccer ball is simply cushioning the impact of the ball by moving that part of the body back, and/or to one side at the time when the soccer ball is about to make contact with that part of the body.
There is no real science to it, but simple repetition of various soccer drills for youth ball control.
Trapping the soccer ball with total control takes a lot of time touching the soccer ball, and getting the feel for it through repetitive soccer drills, or just playing with the ball.
Soccer drills for receiving the ball can be done in team practice, or can be done on your own.
Player is building a relationship with the ball anytime he/she decides to grab a ball, and go play with friends, on your own, or in an organized team training session.
Most important part in doing any soccer drills for youth, is the constant presence of thought to concentrate, and attempt to control the soccer ball on the first touch, moving it in the direction you want to go.
Constantly playing soccer, or training with an organized team, will develop the players feel for the ball over time.
Players are doing soccer trapping drills without even knowing it, because trapping is done every time a soccer ball is coming to us.
It is the concentration, and the right body form, that is missing for many young players, so the ball bounces off the foot, knee, chest, head...
Soccer trapping is one of the basic skills of soccer used regularly throughout the match.
Players will always want to trap the soccer ball with control, knowing where the ball will go after the first touch, setting the ball up for a pass, shot or changing direction with the ball.
Whenever receiving the soccer ball, players will want to concentrate on controlling the soccer ball, and making the ball go where the player wants it to go on that first crucial touch.
One of the most important parts in every players game is learning to trap, or receive the soccer ball on turn, or cut at the same time.
Encourage players to always try to receive the soccer ball with an idea of where to move with the first touch.
Doing this will make possession of the ball better, and unpredictable to the opponent.
Trapping the soccer ball in one spot increases the chance of opponent running in from behind, and cutting off the pass. Defender also has time to put instant pressure.
Whenever players receive the ball, they should protect the space around them with arms up at shoulder height.
Know your surroundings, stay concentrated until it becomes second nature, and the ball sticks to your feet with command at will.
Most importantly, always run towards the ball, never wait for the ball to get to your feet. After passing the ball, never stand, but always move after the pass into empty space to provide an option for a back pass.
Soccer Drills for Youth Players
Juggling the Soccer Ball
I have several webpages dedicated to juggling the soccer ball, because
of many different skills juggling helps develop in youth soccer players.
Soccer ball juggling develops touch on the ball, and coordination with the ball.
Weaker foot can be greatly improved through soccer
juggling, and alternating feet to keep the ball in the air.
Simply
juggle the soccer ball, and keep
juggling to break your record, over and over again.
Once you are comfortable with juggling the
soccer ball at least 20 times, start using different parts of your body
to juggle the ball.
Use the inside/outside of your foot, bring
the ball up and juggle with your thighs or your head, and if the ball drops, don't worry, reset count and keep juggling.
Juggling the soccer ball with friends is very fun. Playing tennis soccer off the wall, or an imaginary line can be done as well.
Juggling the soccer ball is great for youth soccer training because it develops the feel for the ball, which will be very useful when cushioning the soccer ball in order to prevent it from bouncing off your foot as it had hit a brick wall.
Have
fun with the ball, and you may fall in love with juggling and all the
cool soccer tricks you can perform when you get better at it... the more
you play with the ball , the better your skills with the ball will develop.
Soccer Drills for Youth Players
Off the Wall Receiving Training
This soccer drill is one of the most basic and simple drills that anyone can do with a soccer ball, and a wall, garage, fence, rebound goal etc...
One of my favorite soccer games growing up was kicking the ball of the building walls, and trying different skills off the bounces back. Its fun, and rewarding for all soccer ball control skills.
Playing with the wall is one of the basic soccer drills for youth players that can improve receiving, shooting, passing, ball control, coordination, and other soccer skill.
Players can focus on developing any specific skill when playing off the wall.
Trapping the soccer ball will require focus on concentrating on the correct technique, and turning with the ball in different directions, as you receive the ball on the ground, or in the air.
The correct technique involves cushioning the soccer ball as it makes contact with your foot , chest or knee.
Just as the ball is about to make impact on the part of the body used to receive the ball, cushion the ball by moving that part of your body slightly backwards, to take the impact off the soccer ball and bring it under control.
As you get better at trapping the soccer ball you will want to start learning how to turn with the ball using the first touch.
Simply, kick the ball off the wall. Trap it, and kick it again. Have fun with the wall, and be creative.
Use your imagination, and kick away.
Soccer Drills for Youth Players
Throw Trap
Players will partner up with one soccer ball per two players.
Place two cones 10 - 15 m/yd apart, and each player will start at the cone.
Players can practice high trapping for chest, thigh, or half volley traps with 10 - 15 throws for each player, before switching roles.
Players can also keep the ball on the ground, and practice receiving the soccer ball, and moving with the first touch.
Soccer Drills for Youth Players
Long Passing
This soccer training activity can be done in a team session, or by friends, or family members to pass the soccer ball around with.
When setting up this soccer drill for a team training session you will want to take following steps.
- Instruct the players to find a partner, or partner them up yourself, with one soccer ball.
- Place cones 20 - 30 m/yd apart, and position players at the cones... or simply tell players to take position on the field with about 25 m/yd of space in between them, if you don't want to use cones.
- If the players are struggling making long passes, shorten the distance where the passing in the air will be comfortable for the players.
- Upon successful long pass, receive the soccer ball, and take the ball to the right, or left, using the first touch. Use the second touch to pass the ball back for the opposite player to do the same.
SOCCER COACHING TIPS
- Players should use the correct technique for passing, and receiving.
- Take time to explain the correct way to pass the soccer ball in the air, and trap the ball by bringing it under control with the first touch.
- Encourage players to stay on their toes, to improve reaction time and concentration.
- Receiving the soccer ball in a stationary position makes you an easy target for the opposite defenders.
- So fix this problem by making it a habit to lift your head up, and know your surroundings every time you receive a soccer ball.
Soccer Drills for Youth Players
Four Corners
This youth soccer training drill is a great way to work on conditioning, while passing and receiving get a workout.
This soccer drill will allow one player to receive multiple passes in
the span of 1-2 min.
Players will REALLY CONCENTRATE on receiving and passing the soccer ball while the body is tired and under stress.
SOCCER DRILLS FOR YOUTH SET UP & INSTRUCTIONS
- Make a square with 4 cones, and 10 m/yd of space in between cones.
- Split the players up into groups of 5, and instruct 4 of them to take position at each cone.
- 5th player will start in the center of the square.
- Every player standing by the cone should have a soccer ball.
- To start this drill, player in the
center will sprint towards one of the players on the cones.
- The player on the cone will pass the ball to the center player who will trap the soccer ball with a touch left of right, and pass the soccer ball back, using the correct passing technique.
- Player will turn and sprint towards another teammate at the cone, looking for another pass.
- Repeat for 1 - 2 min, than rotate players inside the square.
SOCCER DRILLS FOR YOUTH TRAINING TIPS
- Player in the center will have to work at 80-100% pace so that the 1-2 minute drill can effect conditioning as well.
- Make sure that the players are using the correct passing, and trapping technique.
- All the players are on their toes, and waiting to pass the soccer ball.
- Player in the center performing the drill is trapping the soccer ball, and moving with it to the right, or left before passing it back
- The center player will want to use explosive first few steps when turning, and sprinting towards the next pass.
soccer shooting/attacking drills
- Soccer Shooting Drills will help players develop their kicks on the soccer ball. There are different kinds of shooting techniques in soccer. Knowing the right way to kick the ball is crucial to firm and precise shooting.
- Soccer Shooting Tips to learn the proper shooting technique and positive habits for shooting the soccer ball.
- Fun Soccer Drills using games with attacking drills through crossing, or shooting.
soccer passing drills
- Soccer Passing and Receiving Drills to help players get more comfortable on the soccer ball. Players will learn to receive the ball, and move after the pass is complete.
soccer ball control drills
- Ball Control Soccer Drills to help players get more familiar with the surface of the ball.
- Soccer Training Drills to improve players ball control skills. Getting familiar with the soccer ball takes time, consistency and effort.
- U10 Soccer Training Drills to improve ball handling skills, agility, coordination, and speed.
- Soccer Drills for Beginner soccer players U8 and U6. These soccer drills can also be adapted to older kids by changing the pace, and adding few skills.
- Small Sided Games to teach youth soccer players how to play soccer through the game being the Coach. Players will fall in love with the game from simply playing soccer.
- This Soccer Drill is many kids favorite soccer training drill in practice. The game is the Coach, while players enjoy competitive side of soccer in smaller spaces.
- First Touch Soccer Drills to help young players work on their passing, receiving, and moving. Smart players, with great ball control, will use their first touch to get out of tight situations, and surrounding defenders.
SOCCER FITNESS, SPEED AND AGILITY
- Agility Ladder Drills, also called Speed Ladder Drills, are very important for soccer players to develop agility, and speed.
- Soccer Agility Drills are used to improve players balance, footwork, and coordination. Change of direction is frequent throughout the game, so being agile, and able to quickly change direction is really important.
- Soccer Conditioning Drills will build up the players endurance for the WHOLE game. Players usually frown on these soccer drills, as they push them to exhaustion point; but prepare them for the game. Fit player is twice as valuable for any team in a match.
- Speed Training Drills will push players to build up their explosive speed, tight cornering, and the ability to speed up, and slow down their pace. These drills will build up the players endurance, and shorten the recovery after sprints.