Ball control – Page 5

Slam!

No single game can improve kicking skills faster then slam. It is simply the enjoyment level that makes this game so successful. Here two players have put a small goal in front of a wall. Each player has three lives. The blue player plays the football into the goal so that it rebounds out. The orange player must play the ball back into the goal before it stops and then the blue player does the same. They play until one misses the goal, lets the ball stop, can’t play it first time or gets hit by his own rebound. That player loses a life. They play until one is out of lives. Variations, add a second touch, must use both feet or a different surface of the same foot, change the size or height of the goal, allow the ball to stop for young players, play three at a time in a rotation.

Technique. All kicking skills.

Insight. Each player must be aware of the position of the opponent. If he is far back, gently pass the ball so that he cannot get to it it time. If he is close to the goal slam it and make him chase. Read the angle that the ball will come out of the goal, get in position early.

Communication. In this game there is so much contact with the ball in a time restricted situation that the players will have to focus on concentrating and reading the opponents intentions.

Slam is not soccer. There is competition, offence and defence, soccer problems that have to be solved with TIC, a lot of repetitions with different angles, speeds and distances.

Running with the ball

DESCRIPTION:

Two groups of players at opposite ends of a 40 x 20 meter area, divided into two 40 x 10 meter channels. First player runs with the ball, down a 40 meter grid, before passing the ball across the grid to the second player. Exercise is repeated.
PURPOSE: to improve the first touch and the technique of running with the football and passing accurately at the end of the run.

ORGANISATION:

1. Area of 40 x 20 meters, divided into two 40 x 10 meter channels

2. Supply of balls

3. Cones

4. Groups of players diagonally at opposite ends of the running channels

KEY FACTORS:

1. Meet the ball

2. Get the ball out of the feet – good first touch

3. Run quickly with the ball

4. Minimum number of touches.

5. Use the front of the foot – laces, to push the ball in front

6. Run in a straight line.

7. Use an unbroken stride

8. Head up

9. Composed accurate pass at end of run

PROGRESSIONS:

Both groups start with a ball at the same time.

After the player meets the ball and controls it in front, have the second player in the group be a defender and chase the first player.

To improve fitness and speed, make the distance longer and make the groups smaller.

Give and go!

The first player plays a pass to his team-mate, makes a run and shoots on goal.

A simple ‘give and go’. Basic stuff but very important. If your players can do this quickly and accurately they will win more games than they lose – promise!

Coaching points

1. Make sure all passes are accurate. Don’t play the ball first time if the ball is not an accurate one.

2. Timing the run so that the player arrives just as the ball does. But don’t stand around waiting for it.

3. Correct shooting technique, i.e. head over the ball, hit with laces and aim for the far post.

As a progression get the player knocking the ball off to follow the shot in.

Football cricket

How to Play

Split the group into two teams.

Only one ball is needed. One team will “bat” first whilst the other “fields”.

A batsman scores runs by receiving the ball from the bowler, kicking it into the outfield and running around a marker 10 yards away. Fielders return the ball as quickly as they can to the bowler who tries to hit the wicket before the batsman returns. The batsman is “out” if the ball hits the wicket or if he is caught by a fielder.

Three “outs” change roles.

Changes to the Game

Easier

Outfielders can stop the ball with their hands rather than controlling with their feet.

Harder

Players can only pass with their weakest foot.

What to Look for

Do The Players:

– kick the ball into spaces where there are no “outfielders”?

– Get their bodies behind the ball to control?

– In the outfield, work together to get the ball to the “bowler”?

First touch and receiving the ball

Having a good first touch is a vital skill for all soccer players.

When players take too many touches to take control of the football or allow it to get away from them, the offensive game collapses. You become sitting ducks.

But, with these six distinct drills, your players will learn to deftly manoeuvre the ball off the pass and greatly improve their fluidity on the field. They’ll move rapidly through the space they’ve created on the field to set up plays and score more goals, before the opponent even knows what‘s happened.

To construct a complete practice session from these drills, combine two or more of them with a suitable warm up and a small sided game to finish the session.

Exercise 1

Setup

A 10- by 10- yards area.

Group of three players.

One ball to each group.

Two players with the ball are positioned on one side of the square.

The third player faces them on the other side.

Action

The player with the ball passes to the third player on the opposite lane who receives with the inside of the foot and takes the ball a couple of yards to the side in one action.

On his next touch he passes the ball back across the square with his other foot.

The pair opposite switch places and repeat the action.

Tips

Remind players that it’s important to give a good pass so it is easier for their teammates to receive the ball and control it away with their first touch.

Allow two touches to start before limiting players to one touch.

Remind the receiving player to move toward the ball.

Exercise 2

Setup

A 10- by 10- yards area.

Players in groups of three with a ball to each group.

Two players with the ball on one side of the square face the third player on the opposite side.

Action

The first player passes to the opposite player and sprints around him/her.

The receiving player taps the ball to the side, first touch, as the sprinting player comes around him/her. The sprinting player passes first touch to the next player facing him/her who repeats the action.

The end player changes after several sequences.

Tips

Receiving players can start with two touches to make the pass. Once this becomes easy, limit players to one- touch passes.

Exercise 3

Set up

A 10-by 10-yard to 15-by 15-yard area.

Groups of up to four players at each corner.

One group starts with a ball.

Action

Players pass anti-clockwise to the first player in the next group and follow their passes.

The receiving player taps the ball softly by the incoming passer, runs around him to the ball and passes to the first player in the next group.

Tips

Have players cushion the impact of a received ball by drawing back their foot as the ball arrives.

Remind receiving players to move to the ball.

To increase difficulty, introduce another ball. Have two groups diagonally across from one another start with balls.

Exercise 4

Set up

A 10-by 10-yard area

Two small 2-yard gates on either side of the square as shown.

Two passers, each with a ball, at opposite corners and facing their respective gates.

Two receivers in the gates.

Action

The passers pass to their receivers.

Receivers take the ball to the opposite side of the square with their first touch and pass to the next corner player.

The receiver then returns to his/her first gate to receive the next pass from a corner player and the sequence continues.

Passers and receivers switch after eight repetitions.

Tips

Allow players three touches at first: one to receive, one to turn and one to pass. After players are comfortable, tell them to try turning with the ball on their first touch.

A good first touch gives a player more time and space during a game.

Receiving players should try to play the ball in the direction they want to go – without stopping the ball.

Exercise 5

Setup

Players in pairs about five yards apart.

A ball to each pair.

Action

Players throw the ball to their partners, who receive with the thigh and pass it back on the ground.
Players toss and partners control with the thigh, let the ball drop to the ground, flick it up with same foot and catch it.
Same as #2, but this time the receivers flick the ball up with the opposite foot and catch it.
Passers throw a high toss and the receivers control it with the chest, thigh, other thigh, foot and other foot, before flicking the ball up and catching it.

Make the action a competition between pairs. If a pair misses or drops the ball they have to repeat the exercise until the sequence has been mastered. The first pair to complete all four exercises wins.

Tips

Tell players to make their bodies act like cushions; at impact, players should draw the receiving part of their body back.

Remind them to serve the ball with a gentle underhanded toss.

When receiving the ball, players should keep their arms out for good balance.

Concentration is very important- players should focus on the ball.

Exercise 6

Set up

Players in two teams of up to six players, 5 to 10 yards apart depending on their age and 5 yards from a goal with a net and a keeper.

Each player on the serving team has a ball.

Action

The first server tosses the ball to the first striker, who controls with the chest and tries to volley the ball into the goal before it touches the ground.

Server and striker then move to the ends of the opposite lines.

Change the receiving body part as the players progress to: thigh; head; chest then thigh; head then thigh; and head, chest then thigh.

Tips

Instruct players to concentrate on the ball.

Remind players to use their bodies as cushions and that timing is crucial to success. Allow beginners to let the ball bounce once before they shoot.

Every passing exercise in the next section can also be used to teach receiving skills.

Be sure to practice these drills as often as possible. With each repetition the movements will become more instinctual.

Soon your players will be able to take control of a pass and redirect or move it down the field with ease.

How to improve a player’s first touch

Every time they our players make a poor first touch in a game we are likely to give the football away to the other team so it is important to keep on improving. The key to a good first touch is being relaxed and focused. If a young player thinks they will be told off for getting it wrong they will probably fail.

Provide practice regularly, little and often, and include work using both feet. Any unopposed short passing drill can be used with the emphasis on the touch rather than the pass. An example is shown below.

Coaching notes

Explain and demonstrate the difference between cushion and wedge control and how to move the ball away from pressure into space on the first touch.

To coach control of long and high passes begin with easy serves and gradually increase the level of difficulty.

Coaching Points – Observe The Following Details

Is the player alert and playing on their toes, do they look ready to react to the movement of the ball?
Does the player move into the line of the ball early? Any delay in reacting will make control more difficult
They should get themselves right across the line of the ball and not end up chasing after it
Concentration is vital, do they keep their head steady and watch the movement of the ball carefully?
If the pass is under-hit do they move quickly down the line of the ball to meet it?
To cushion the ball the foot needs to be off ground and withdrawn at the moment of contact “soft ankle”
Check that they use the inside area, or top of outside of the foot to make a controlling touch on ground pass
Contact should be with the horizontal mid-line of the ball or above to prevent it skipping up on 1st touch
To wedge the ball sweep across the top of it with the inside or outside of the foot
With a high ball the player should make an early decision on what surface they will use to control it
Make sure they keep their eyes open and observe the flight of the ball
Chest, thigh, instep & outside of foot – “relax” and withdraw surface on contact to cushion the ball
The ball should not be allowed to bounce, move along line of ball to meet it as early as possible
If under pressure does the player redirect ball into space on first touch and pass it on early?

Criss Cross

A simple unopposed practice to improve the push pass and first touch. It allows the coach to work with a number of players in a fairly small area. Encourage players to aim for a high standard. Older players should be able to recognise and correct their own faults. It is essential all our players learn to pass consistently and receive a ball comfortably over short distances. Use this type of practice regularly for short periods at a time.

Organisation

Place four marker discs in cross pattern 10-15yds apart as shown

One football at each of two adjacent cones

Players pass – two touch – to opposite player and then run to disc on their right

Don’t have long queues, split larger groups into more than one grid

Make it competitive – challenge two grids who can play for longest without losing control?

Five ball control games for young soccer players

By Rich Fabrizio at GotSoccer.com

We have all seen it – a team masterfully knocking the ball around ad nauseam but accomplishing very little. Suddenly, one or two defenders close down an attacker, there is a miscue – a poorly weighted pass or a poor receiving angle – a defender picks off a pass and there is a counterattack, most likely resulting in a goal. This type of ball possession can be very boring or very exciting, depending on which team you are playing.

Here are a few exercises gleaned from various local and international coaches aimed at improving ball control and encouraging possession with a purpose – scoring goals!

Warm-up

Light jogging, juggling, Coervers, free-form passing in 3s – interspersed with stretching. Emphasize the stretching.

Dutch Game

3 teams (example; 5 reds. 5 blues, and 5 whites) in a 40×30 yard area – adjust grid to size of teams – playing 10v5, 8v4 or 6v3. Two teams (red and blue) play keep away from the other team (white). See how many consecutive passes you can complete. If a red player loses the ball to a white player, the whites and blues play against the reds, and so on. You can progress from unlimited touches to 3 touches, 2 touches and then one touch.

Emphasize sharp, crisp, accurate, and properly weighted passing, off the ball runs, good passing and receiving angles, and good communication. Players should keep their heads up and look long, medium and then short for passing opportunities. Avoid continuous passing around the perimeter of the grid. Encourage players to check into the middle of the grid to become target players. Some of the Dutch professional teams use this as a warm-up.

Barcelona

More and more teams are shifting from man-to-man defending to zonal defending. In order to disrupt these zonal defenses, teams have found it necessary for their players to be able to make sharp, accurate passes to teammates across the pitch to quickly change the point of attack. When Johan Cruyff was at Barcelona, they incorporated this exercise into their training. In an area slightly larger than the penalty area, or larger rectangular area (depending on skill level and success rate), play 8v8 keep-away with the restriction that no pass can be less than 15 yards or 20 yards (pick one). Count the number of consecutive passes. All passes should be played as hard as possible to receiving players – almost to the point of blasting it across the ground. Players will be forced to get into receiving positions and to make good first touch receptions. Again, you can progress from unlimited touches to 3 touch, 2 touch and then a final one-touch melee. At first this will not go well and balls will be flying everywhere. Be patient and stay with it. You will be amazed at the energy level this creates, the first touch control the players develop, the crispness of the passing. Also, the players will quickly learn they have to think well ahead of every pass.

Emphasize: (1) long, crisp ground passes; (2) getting into receiving and supporting positions quickly; and (3) good first touch control – relax the foot; (4) good communication.

Prisoner

In a 40×30 yard grid with a 2×3 yard grid in the center of the larger grid. Two teams of equal players.

Team A puts a player in the small center grid and scores a goal every time the ball is played into the center grid player and back out again to a Team A teammate (ground passes, volleys, headers all count as goals if successfully played back out to a Team A player). Team B tries to keep Team A from scoring. Team B scores a goal if it completes 5 consecutive passes. Team A tries to disrupt Team B and intercept passes. Reverse the teams.

Danish Game – With Neutral Players

In a 60×30 yard or 60×40 yard grid with 5 yard end zones at each end of the grid. Neutral players occupy the end zones (they can be field players or GKs); no challenges in the end zone. Two teams (red and blue) play up and down the length of the grid possessing the ball as much as possible. Either team (in this example, red team) scores a goal when it successfully gains possession, travels to either end zone A or B (for this example end zone A), makes a successful pass into the end zone to the neutral player, receives a return pass (to any player on the passing team), then travels back to end zone B, makes and receives a return pass, and then travels back to end zone A and makes and receives a return pass. After you intercept a pass, you can attack either end zone A or end zone B (it doesn’t matter in which direction you start), but in order to score a goal, you must traverse the grid to the opposite end zone, and return to the original end zone where you started (ABA or BAB). Players may also use neutral players at either end zone for back passes to relieve pressure. Emphasize ball possession while traversing the area. You can work on one-twos, wall passes, takeovers, and selling dummies, all with the purpose of going forward. Look long, medium and short. GKs can participate in the end zones or on the pitch using both their hands and feet.

Danish Game – Without neutral players

Same game only with empty end zones; a team has to send a player into the end zone to receive and return a pass; no challenges in the end zone – repeat at both ends as before to score a goal.

Cool-down

Set up a 12×9 yard grid: place discs at 3 yard intervals along the 12 yard length, and then place discs at 3 yard intervals across the width. Two teams of 6 players each go into the grids as follows.

x x x x x

A B A B

x x x x x

A B A B

x x x x x

A B A B

x x x x x

Team A tries to make accurate passes through Team B to teammates A in the 3^rd grid area. A’s and B’s can interpass or change places only in their grid. A’s and B’s cannot leave their respective grids to receive or intercept passes.

If B’s intercept, B’s try to complete passes through team A to teammates B in the next grid over. Teams compete to complete the most number of passes. Extra players are divided evenly and fill in with their respective teams. Switch A’s and B’s grid positions.

Losing team does slow shuttles while picking up a disc on each shuttle. Winning team starts stretching and is joined later by losing team.

Team stretches together.

Don’t let the ball stop!

Suitable for all ages.

Play in groups of 6 or 8.

Set up

Mark out a short, wide pitch with big (10m wide) goals at either end and a centre line

Divide the players into two teams of 3 or 4.

Each team defends a goal.

How it works

the game starts with each team spread out in their half of the pitch. The coach stands on the centre line and rolls a football to one of the teams. Their objective is to score a goal by shooting from within their own half.

Rules

No goalies.

Players must stay in their own half of the pitch at all times.

Each player on the team must touch the ball at least once before a shot can be taken.

The ball must not be allowed to stop – if it does, possession is passed to the other team.

Progression

restrict players to three, two or one touch.
shoot with their ‘wrong’ foot
challenges
can they work the ball up to the half way line without letting it stop and only having 1, 2 or 3 touches each?
can they lay off a good ball into the path of the shooter?
can they block shots with their body and gain immediate control of the ball?
will anyone stand on the half way line and get in the way of their opponents shots?