Question 1

Ball Control: Inside & Outside of the Foot

Accepted Answer

Overview:  One of the most impressive things to see in soccer is the control and manipulation of the ball. Whether it's in the air or on the ground, being able to control the ball well means there is more time for the next action. Here are tips that can help your players control the ball better  Controlling the ball with the INSIDE of the foot     Coaching Points:  Get your body in line with the path of the ball and keep your eyes on the ball Turn toes of the receiving foot out so that the arch faces the oncoming ball  Extend the receiving foot slightly forward  Make contact with the flat inside part of the foot and cushion the ball by bringing the leg back  Adjust your body position and move onto the ball for the next action   Controlling the ball with the OUTSIDE of the foot      Coaching Points:  Get your body in line with the path of the ball and keep your eyes on the ball Turn the foot so the outside of the foot is facing the oncoming ball  Extend the receiving foot slightly forward Point the little toe down so the outer edge makes contact with the ball and cushion it by bringing the leg back Adjust your body position and move onto the ball for the next action

Question 2

Dribbling

Accepted Answer

Overview:  Dribbling at speed and attacking open space is something that gets spectators off their feet and is an exciting way to progress the ball up the field. But how do you make sure the ball is close enough to your feet so the defender can’t get it but far enough to run in full stride?      Coaching Points:  Take a lookup to identify a dribbling path  Use the instep of the foot (just below the laces) to make a feather-like contact with the ball  Take a larger touch and accelerate to catch up with the ball Take a look for the next action after making contact with the ball  To stop and change direction, slow down and take smaller feather-like touches to make it easier to one way or the other

Question 3

Passing: Inside of the Foot

Accepted Answer

Overview:  Learning how to pass is one of the most important skills in soccer and is based on the concept that the more time your team has the ball, the harder it is for the other team to score. Before getting into possession-based games, go over a few of these key points with your players to help them properly pass the ball.      Coaching Points: Plant the non-kicking foot beside the ball pointing in the intended direction  Put the arms out for balance, swing the kicking leg back  Lock the ankle and angle the foot about 90 degrees  Contact the middle of the ball with the inside of the foot, push through the ball  Follow through towards the target using a short backswing

Question 4

Shooting: Placed Shot & Driven Shot

Accepted Answer

Overview:  Anyone who has played soccer knows that scoring goals is one of the most exciting parts of the game. There is a lot more to smashing the ball into the back of the net than meets the eye. Placing the ball into the corner can be another great way to score those stunning goals that wow everyone who is watching. Building a strong technical base will put any player well on their way to scoring those stunning goals. Here are some things to keep in mind when teaching different shooting techniques.  Driven Shot     Coaching Points:  Plant the non-kicking foot beside the ball pointing in the direction of the goal Swing the heel towards the buttock while keeping the chest over the ball  Lock the ankle and create a fist with the foot by curling the toes  Contact the middle of the ball with the top of the foot, right over the laces of the shoe Follow through towards the target with the toes of the kicking foot kept pointed down   Placed Shot     Coaching Points:  Plant the non-kicking foot beside the ball pointing in the direction of the goal Swing the kicking leg back bringing your heel up towards the sky while keeping your chest over the ball  Lock the ankle and keep the toes pointed up on the downswing.  Make contact on the outside of the ball with the inside of the foot Bring the kicking leg across the midline of the body on the follow-through

Question 5

CLEAN YOUR HOUSE: SHOOTING & PASSING

Accepted Answer

Equipment: Balls, Cones  Instructions: The goal of the game is to keep all the balls out of your house and put them in the other teams house (box). The team with the most balls In their house at the end of the game has to make a funny face  Key Points: Have parents stand behind each box to gather balls that go out of play Encourage players to help out their teammates and tell them where the balls are in their house  Variations: Play parents vs kids Increase the size of the boxes so that kids have to shoot the ball further

Question 6

GROUND BALL: SHOOTING

Accepted Answer

Equipment: 5-10 balls  Instructions: The objective of the drill is to shoot the ball into the arms of the kneeling parent. The parent will start by rolling the ball to the child who either hits the ball while it is moving or stops the ball then shoots it along the ground back to the parent. If players are paired with another player, have them switch roles after 8-10 shots.  Key Points: Make sure the ball is slow enough so the player can make contact. The focus of the practice is to get in repetitions. Encourage players to try and get the ball into your hands, even if it misses, having a target will give them something to focus on Get players to try both feet and try using different parts of their foot to shoot  Variations: Work on both the weak foot and the strong foot. Have players take a few steps towards the ball and shoot.

Question 7

MAILMAN: DRIBBLING

Accepted Answer

Equipment: 20-25 balls, 10+ cones  Instructions: The objective of the game is to dribble from one box to another then grab a new ball and dribble that ball to the next box. Players will use the bottom of their foot to stop the ball and get a new one. Play for 3-4 minutes then switch to a variation  Key Points:  Encourage players to keep the ball close and use both feet. Tell them that the ball is a special package and that they need to be careful with the ball as if they go to fast they may damage the package! Remind players to keep their heads up so that they are not running into other players Emphasize using both feet. Don't worry how it looks, just worry about the number of touches they are getting on the ball  Variations: If the coach yells "turn", players put their foot on the ball and dribble in the opposite direction Visit as many zones in one minute as possible Get coaches or parents involved by running around the grid and acting as "mean dogs" trying to steal the ball way

Question 8

NASCAR: DRIBBLING & BALL CONTROL

Accepted Answer

Equipment: Cones, One ball per player  Instructions: The objective of the drill is to listen to the coach and do the requested command. The players will start by dribbling a ball around the track. At random, the coach will yell out commands that consist of changing of speed, direction, and stopping.  Key points: Make sure kids keep their head up to avoid collision Emphasize keeping the ball close like its their best friend Encourage players to make car noises and tell you what kind of car they are!  Variations:  Get the child to perform the drill with their parent. When the coach yells "STOP", have children pick up the ball.

Question 9

PLAYGROUND SOCCER: MODIFIED GAMEPLAY

Accepted Answer

Equipment: Balls (1 per pair), Cones, 4+ pug nets, Parent volunteers (if possible)  Instructions: The objective of the game is to score in the pug net. Players will play their parents in a 1 vs 1 game. You can score in any net. After scoring, the player retrieves their ball an tries to score in another one  Key Points: Remind players to keep their heads up so that they are not running into other people around them. Emphasize that players are keeping the ball close so that their parents can't steal it away Encourage the parents to pair up with their child.  Variations: Add pairings together so two players can play against two parents

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