Soccer Drills – Page 44

Triangle drill

Set up

A three-goal triangle of normal full-size goal dimensions is set up on a good diving area.

Three cones are positioned about 15-20 yards away facing the centre of the goals.

One player stands at each cone, with at least two balls, while three retrievers stand around the area to get the balls back quickly to those at the cones.

Organisation of the Triangle Drill

The drill starts with each player firing a shot at goal in strict rotation. The goalkeeper moves quickly from goal to goal to reposition himself for each shot.

The coach should signal to players when they should shoot so that the goalkeeper is kept working hard to save shots. A reasonable time period for the goalkeeper is about 30-60 seconds, which the coach should monitor since the work is very strenuous.

Progression of the Triangle Drill

Create a competition among the goalkeepers to see who can lose the least number of goals in given time periods.

Some of the players shooting the ball can be asked to play a certain type of shot, to give the goalkeeper practice in that situation, e.g. a player may attempt to chip the ball over the goalkeeper’s head.

The coach can increase the tempo of the practice whereby each player shoots just as the goalkeeper recovers from the last shot, thus putting him under greater pressure.

Add a cone at the centre of the triangle. The keeper has to make his save, run around the cone and make another save at the next “window”.

The 1-0 game

“We didn’t need a referee; we accepted the rules of the game and stuck by them. For us not to have done so would have spoilt the game for everyone. It taught us that you can’t go about doing what you want because there are others to think of and if you don’t stick to the rules, you spoil it for everyone else. Of course, that was not a conscious thought at the time, but looking back those kick about games on the waste ground did prepare us for life.” Stanley Matthews

“For me, the ball is a diamond. If you have something that precious you don’t get rid of it, you offer it.” Glenn Hoddle

“Keeping possession is a way for a team to get a breather.” Gordon Taylor PFA

Basically this is keepaway by another name and with a real purpose. It’s my favourite small sided game.

The 1-0 game is a possession game, played like a standard 4v4 game but with a twist.

Because of the nature of the game I limit each match to 5 minutes, but may play 2 or 3 games one after the other.

Age Group – U11s to adults
Pitch Size 40 x 20 – or at the discretion of the coach, but basically a standard 4 v 4 pitch
Number of teams – 2
Team sizes – 4-6 players
Bibs optional
Goals – 5 a side or mini soccer goals

The basic rule of the game is that you can only win by one goal.

The game begins as a normal 4 v 4 game with the usual rules.

When a goal is scored, the team that scored must just try and keep possession and can’t score into the goal. If they do, the goal is disallowed and a goal kick ensues.

If the other team then equalise and make it 1-1, either team can then score to make it 2-1. The team leading then just has to keep possession.

This is an excellent possession game and also allows a team to play out time by keeping possession, which is why I limit the game to just 5 minutes.

As well as possession, teams also have to attack with speed when needing to score and the game also focuses on transition.

The Liverpool game

“Liverpool FC was encapsulated in just three words: ‘Pass and Move.’”

Alan Hansen

“A lot of coaches in their fifties and sixties will tell you that with virtually all of the great players of their generation, their success was founded in the hours they spent playing football in the streets. It was an important part of the culture of working – class lads.”

Alan Hansen

In the 1970s and 1980s when Liverpool where at their peak and most clubs idea of training was a lot of running and physical work without the ball, at Liverpool they played 5 a-side games with the emphasis on simple quick passing.

Liverpool was renowned as the ‘pass and move’ team and Shankly made sure that everything was kept simple.

Players were encouraged to make their own decisions and solve problems.

Ronnie Moran, one of the legendary coaches at the club and very much part of the famous bootroom culture at Liverpool football club said of Shankly, “If he looked at a couple of kids juggling a ball, it wouldn’t matter to him which one was better. He would want to see how they played in a game situation. His argument would be that you don’t get opportunities to juggle the ball in a match so it was irrelevant.”

Moran also thinks that today there is a lack of game intelligence. “Players today don’t seem to have that ‘nouse’. I think all over the country now too much is being put in footballer’s brains about what they must and must not do.”

In Alan Hansen’s excellent autobiography ‘A Matter of Opinion’, he talks about a game they used to play at Liverpool. “Every player concentrated on giving the sort of passes that a team-mate wanted to receive, rather than the ones he wanted to play; and every player repeatedly made good runs off the ball to give the man in possession plenty of options.”

Hansen adds, “Liverpool FC was encapsulated in just three words: ‘Pass and Move.’ Liverpool occasionally had a training match rule that a player had to move two yards forwards, backwards or to either side immediately he passed the ball; if he didn’t, his team would be penalized and the ball given to the other team.”

Age Group U12s to adults
Pitch sizes 40 x 20 or at the discretion of the coach
Number of teams – 2
Team sizes 4-6 players
Bibs optional
Goals – 5 a side or mini soccer goals

This game is not suited for younger children and I think should not be tried with ages less than 12. It is very tiring and should only be used in small bursts as perhaps part of a normal 4v4 game.

As soon as a player in possession passes the ball he must move either back, sideways or forward to support the player with the ball. If he fails to do this, possession is immediately given to the other team.

The crossing game

The players should organize themselves into groups of four to play 4v4. The training grid is 40 yards long by 30 yards wide. Corner flags or tall cones should be used for goals and disc cones to mark the corners of the grid. The goals are set up diagonally from one another and ten yards in from the goal line.

Players can score from either side of the goal and the game doesn’t stop after a goal is scored. Play a normal 4v4 match except for goals being scored from either side of the goal. Because of the angled goals there will be more crosses into areas in front of the goalmouth. Many goals can be scored under match conditions in a short time period. Teamwork in preparation of attack and defence will improve

This activity promotes group movement (tactic) and involves transition. The techniques of dribbling, passing, receiving, shooting, heading, tackling and crossing will have the chance to emerge. As a bonus fitness will also improve in a fun and competitive fashion.

The corner shot

Objective

To develop accurate passing and shooting with both feet, and to gain a simple understanding of corner kicks for players 6 – 8 years old.

Organization (see above diagram)

Place balls in corners of playing area.
Coach rolls ball by foot or by hand.
Coach shouts “Go!” and player at first cone must go around second cone.
Shooting player retrieves own shot then returns to end of line.
This increases the activity level and also encourages the shooter not to kick the ball too far, but rather concentrate on the accuracy.
No goalkeeper, so players practice accurate kicking.
Change players and cones to opposite side.
Children leave their ball with the coach on the way back.
With a large group split into two (with Assistant Coach) and have one group at one end and one at the other.

Teaching Points

As players become better, narrow the goal or deliver quicker passes.
Point out that most shots in illustration will be taken with the left foot.
Total concentration: head down, eyes on the ball.
Encourage accuracy rather than power shooting.
Use inside of foot – like a hockey stick.
Encourage players to strive to become “two-footed.”

Target

To record the number of the team’s scoring attempts that succeed in 20 shots, and keep score at each practice.

Cobra’s Lair

This drill promotes passing and team work along with very eager defenders, I made this one up and my U10s love it. I call it The Cobras Lair.

Set up: 3 forwards, 2 defenders and a goalie (optional)

Rules: Defenders must stay in the goalie box (penalty area) at all times.

Offence must do at least 3 passes touching all players before shot is taken.

The three forwards start their way down towards the goal. At this point the coach needs to decide if he is satisfied with the passing or if there was the proper amounts of passing because at any given time they mess up the coach lets one defender loose from the box if they were real bad (or you have a real good player on the forward line) you let both out. They woke the cobras!

Also if you like what you see and they are close enough but not in the box then they earned the right to fire at the goalie. Now it’s up to you but I always say they got away with the golden soccer ball.

This has been one of most successful drills, I started it with U8 and kept it going in U10.

Have fun with it.

Ten games that improve shooting skills

The Triangle Goal Shooting Game

Set up a triangular goal in the middle of a 50 x 50 grid.
Play an even sided game with both teams having their own keeper.
Both teams try to score through any one of the three sides of the triangular goal.
It is best to place the goal in the centre of a 20 yard in diameter circle, with only the keepers allowed inside the circle.
If the keeper catches the ball, her or her team must take the ball outside of the grid before they may attack again.
Play with 2 balls for real excitement.
Goalkeepers may become attacking players when their team has possession.

Coaching Points

Attacking and defending principles of play.
Shooting
Finishing
Possession
Goalkeeper positioning, shot saving and distribution.

Penalty Box Soccer

Objective: Practice scoring goals and marking in the penalty area.

Area: Penalty area (directly in front of the goal).

Players: Teams of three, two goalkeepers.

Equipment: Two sets of training bibs.

At least six soccer balls

Goal and two corner flags (or four corner flags for two goals)

Formation: Two teams of three are in the penalty area with a keeper defending each goal.

Procedure: The game starts with the keeper of the one team throwing the ball to a team-mate. The game is decided by the first goal scored. The team that scores stays on the field and the losing team is replaced by a new team.

To keep the game moving, keep plenty of balls in the goal and put a two-minute time limit on each game. If neither team scores in two minutes, both teams go off and two new teams restart the game.

Make sure to balance the teams.

The winner is the team with the most goals after 20 minutes.

Marbles

Players are organised into pairs, each with a ball. Standing with her back to the field of play, the first player throws her ball over her head. The second player then kicks her ball from the starting point and tries to hit the ball that was thrown. Play alternates by kicks until one ball is hit. The players then change over and start again. Coaches should emphasise instep kicks for length and the side of the foot for accuracy. Make it a condition that every other game is left foot only.

Four Goal Game (heads up!)

Set up four 2 cone goals in each corner of a 20 yd x 30 yd grid. Divide players into two equal teams. Players may score at any of the four goals. This is an excellent game for encouraging teamwork; getting heads up and discouraging bunching round the ball.

Shoot Between Cones

Set up a line of cones row 3 to 5 yards apart. Pair up players and put one player on each side of the line facing the cones and each other. Players should start close to the row of cones at first, striking the ball between the cones. The partner receives ball and passes it back through the cones. Move players further apart as their technique and accuracy improve

Go For Goal

Players form two lines on either side of the coach who is standing 18 to 20 yards from a goal that is any size. The coach serves the ball toward the goal line while one player races to win the ball and shoot. As skills improve, add a goalkeeper. The coach should encourage correct shooting technique and a good first touch on the ball.

Dribble Cones and Shoot

Set up two cone lines for a dribble weave about 30 yards with a 2 yard goal at the end. Divide players into two lines or teams. Players must dribble through the cones and score at the goal at the end before the next player in line starts.

Pass and Strike

Set up a 30 yd x 30 yd grid with two opposing goals. Divide players into two equal teams. Each team must make four complete passes before they can shoot on goal. If the ball is taken by the opponent the team must start its pass count again.

Hit the Cone

Set up cones in a line, with three feet between each cone. Line up two players on opposing sides of each cone, facing one another. Give one of the opposing players a ball. The object of the game is to knock down the cone in as few shots as possible. When the first shooter misses the cone, their partner should trap the ball and take a shot. When the cone is knocked over, one player should set it back up and continue playing. For a variation, play the game for one minute intervals, and encourage the players to improve their record each time.

Pass and Shoot

Set up two cones as a goal at one end of the grid and divide the team in half. Pick one player to start as goalie. Then line one group up behind the goal, with one ball for each player. Line the other group up fifteen feet in front of the goal, in the centre. The first player in line should pass the ball to the first player in the centre line. This person then traps the ball and takes a shot on goal. After their turns, the players should get in the end of the alternate line (players who took shots need to retrieve the ball if needed). Switch goalies often. For large groups, two games can be set up at opposite ends of the grid. Later, have the shooting line take their shots with only one touch.

Quick Shot

Divide players into groups of three, and give each group one ball and two cones. Set the cones up as a goal, and have one player be the goalie. The remaining two players should be on opposite sides of the goal, facing each other. They take turns shooting on goal. When the goalie makes a save, he should turn and roll the ball to the other player. Switch goalies often.

Shot Against Goalie

Divide the team into pairs. Give each pair one ball and four cones. Set the cones up as two separate goals, about 10 yards apart. Every player stands in front of a goal and takes turns shooting and being the goalie. Initially, have the players shoot a stationary ball. Then have them stand behind their goal line and dribble up to it before shooting or have the goalie roll the ball to the shooter for a one-touch shot

Cone Kick Down

This is played just like a regular small sided game, but instead of having a goal to shoot at set up five cones along each goal line. The first team to knock down all five cones wins. There are no goalies.

Ten games that improve passing skills

Pressure passing

Set up a circle of cones about 10m in diameter (you can use the centre circle).

One player stands in the middle, the rest space themselves out equally around the edge of the circle. The player in the middle receives the football from a player on the edge, controls it, turns and passes to another player. As soon as he or she passes the ball out, a second ball is played in from the edge of the circle. As soon as this ball is passed out to a player on the edge of the circle the first ball is played in again and so on.

The central player has to run quickly backwards and forwards to provide passes to the rest of the circle.

Swap players after one minute.

Stress the importance of good, crisp and accurate passing. Insist the central player gets their head up and looks at the target.

Vary the game by only allowing two touches, then one touch.

Played properly, this is an intensive and fun workout.

Keep Away ring

Players pair up and stand across from each other around a circle of cones. One player or coach stands inside the circle and tries to intercept passes made between the players. Passes made between the players count as goals. Change the players in the circle after a pass is intercepted or after a short time.

Cone Game

Players pair up and stand across from each other around a circle. Set up 6 or 8 cones in the middle of the circle as targets. Players try to knock over the cones in the middle with accurate passes.

Triangle Pass

Set up a three player triangle. Each group has one ball. Players try to pass around the triangle shape. Make sure they reverse the direction of the passes from time to time.

After a certain level of proficiency is reached, add a defender to try and intercept the passes.

Four Corner Pass

Set up a 10 yd. x 10 yd grid with cones at each of the corners. Four players work with one ball, one on each side of the grid. A fifth player defends inside the grid.

Players may only run on their sides of the grid between the cones. They then attempt to pass the ball across the grid. Change the middle defender frequently.

Star Wars

This classic game is very exciting for younger players. Set up a 10 yd. x 20 yd. grid. Have all players’ line up at one end prepared to run to the other end. The coach or player stands just outside the grid with several balls at the ready.

On command the players attempt to run to the endline while evading balls kicked at them by the coach. All shots should be kept below waist level. Players hit by shooting balls become additional shooters until only one player is left.

Basic passing

Split the team up into partners, giving each pair a ball. Have the players pass and trap the ball, while you evaluate their skill. Later, introduce one touch control passing

Circle passing

Many of the basic circle games can be used to practice passing. Try using a circle with two players in the middle trying to intercept passes made by the girls on the outside. The player whose pass is intercepted goes into the middle.

Triangles

This is a good way to reinforce basic passing skills with the added bonus of introducing vision and awareness.

Make some triangles on the field using small cones about ten yards apart.

To start the game, each cone has a player standing next to it. Player 1 passes to player 2 then immediately runs between player 2 and 3. Player 2 passes to player 3 and runs through the gap between player 3 and player 1. And so on.

Done properly, this is a fast game that reinforces the pass/move combination, makes players look carefully to find their next target and requires good passing technique. Just be careful the players don’t all disappear out of sight!

Relays

You can use a passing and moving relay race with a set up like this:

The basic practice is A passing to D and running to the back of the line, D passing to B and so on. Practice this for a few minutes (watching for and praising correct technique) then add the requirement that players must shout out the name of the person they are passing to. If they don’t, send them back and make them do it again.

Adding this rule has the following benefits.

It makes the players talk,
It makes them look up to see who they are passing to,
If done at the start of a season, it helps introduce the new girls to each other and breaks down inhibitions.

This game can be made competitive by making the first team to do 30 passes the winner.

Many variations are possible – go from two touch to one touch, for example.

Three ball keepaway

Start with two teams of equal numbers and three soccer balls. On your signal, players try to possess as many balls as possible.

On your second signal the play stops and the team in possession of two or more balls wins that round. Repeat several times.

In this game, players must be good passers of the ball to keep possession. They must also make decisions on where to run when they don’t have the ball, when to pass or dribble, and whom to pass to.