Keep Kids Playing with Soccer Practice Drills
The age and skill level of your players should always be the guide when planning soccer practice drills. You want to challenge players so they will learn, but a drill that is too complex will only confuse them. Along the same lines, a too-simple practice will bore them and lose their focus. Always plan your practice in advance to be prepared, but take cues from your players and have a couple of fun back-up games ready in case you need to regain or redirect their attention.
An across-field warm up improves agility, stamina, first touch and passing. Line up two groups of players with one group on the touch line and the second facing them about five yards away. The second group starts with the ball and jogs backward, tossing the ball to the player facing them. The first group players practice catching the ball in the air and returning it to the other team. When the second group reaches the opposite touch line, roles reverse and play starts in the other direction. Depending on the age of the players, the drill can last up to 20 minutes with added dribbling skills.
Your plan should also include soccer practice drills for your goalkeeper. To develop the fast paced reactions needed, start by collecting several balls about seven yards in front of and to the one side of the goal. Taking one ball in hand, the coach has the player run out and touch the ball then run backward toward the goal. As the goalie starts back, the coach lobs the ball in the air so that the player must catch it or jump to save. As soon as that ball is touched, the coach throws another at one goal post, and then throws at the other post as that ball is touched. After the goalie has saved several balls, the coach then moves to other side and starts again. The practice should be fast paced and require the goalkeeper to move a lot.
Vary your practices a bit each time so the players will look forward to showing up and enjoy the game. With a little research and planning and the hundreds of soccer practice drills available, skill-building can be challenging, rewarding and fun.
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