| Soccer training drills are fundamental to any youth | | | | weave the ball in and out of the cones while dribbling. |
| soccer program. They build strength, speed, and agility, | | | | As they get better, time them and encourage them to |
| and also make good practice and warm-up exercises. | | | | pick up speed. Players who have difficulty with this drill |
| Here are a few basic drills that are will help to improve | | | | should practice weaving in and out of the cones |
| your players' skills. | | | | without the ball. |
| Shooting Drills | | | | - Divide players into teams of three, and then have |
| Learning to aim the ball correctly is essential to passing | | | | two teams compete against each other in a game of |
| and shooting well. Each of these soccer training drills | | | | keep-away. This will give players practice with dribbling |
| presents a great opportunity to work on shooting: | | | | in a competitive, fast-paced setting. |
| - Players should always aim for the upper corners of | | | | Trapping Drills |
| the goal net when kicking, because these are the most | | | | Trapping movements help players to intercept and gain |
| difficult places for goalies to reach. To reinforce this | | | | possession of the ball during play. These drills will teach |
| idea, tie two ropes to the right and left corners of the | | | | players how to use different parts of their bodies to |
| goal, and let them hang straight. Instruct players to try | | | | capture and control the ball: |
| to hit the ropes when they shoot the ball into the net. | | | | - Have players throw a ball into the air and then catch |
| Have them practice this from several different | | | | it with their chest and legs. They must then kick the ball |
| positions around the goal. | | | | into the air and catch it with their body again. The |
| - Station players on both the left and right sides of the | | | | object of the game is to never let the ball hit the |
| field. Have another player dribble down the middle of | | | | ground. Have a contest to see which player can keep |
| the field and practice passing the ball to the stationary | | | | the ball in the air the longest! |
| players. This shooting drill teaches players to aim while | | | | - Take your players to a nearby indoor gym, and have |
| dribbling. | | | | them practice trapping by throwing soccer balls against |
| Dribbling Drills | | | | a wall. When the ball bounces back at them, they |
| Moving down the field quickly and efficiently requires | | | | should catch it with their body and maintain control of it |
| steady control of the ball. To teach your players how | | | | with their feet. |
| to direct the ball's movement while dribbling, try some | | | | These basic soccer training drills are a great way to |
| of these techniques: | | | | teach players the fundamentals of the sport. Aim for |
| - Set up a line of cones (spaced three to four feet | | | | making them repetitive but fun, and you'll be sure to |
| apart) down the length of the field. Instruct players to | | | | instill the proper playing techniques in your athletes. |