It is true that there are many coaches who struggle a lot to find effective and free soccer drills for their players. What it conveys is that coaches actually look for drills that the kids can perform all alone.
The best way to kick-start the training sessions are to use soccer drills that do not require any equipment. You know why, because these soccer exercises are specifically designed to suit the player’s age , learning potential and the role he plays in the team.
There is one great drill to teach players the skill to dribble a soccer ball and at the same time, be aware of what is going on around them. This is one of the highly successful drills and is being used by many coaches and Moreover, it is better than asking your players to dribble through the cones.
Though this drill demands more from players, it ensures the player’s wholehearted participation in soccer practice.
Let me tell you how to organize this drill.
Start with marking out a square of about 20 yards by 20 yards. The number of players and their age decides the size of this square.
The number of players on each side of the square should be the same. Every player should stand towards the inner side of the square and should have a ball of their own.
As soon as the coach whistles, each player will dribble the ball to the opposite side and stop on the line opposite to them. Of all the free soccer drills, this drill coaches the players to dribble across the square with their heads up and and do not interfere in each others’ path and thats why this is effective.
To add more fun into the drill, make the players dribble across the square and back again, compelling them to turn 180 degrees with the ball. Keep varying the number of times players have to dribble across the square. At end of every run, a player is eliminated and this continues until only one player is left.
Also, as the number of players decrease, feel free to introduce the concept of running with the ball rather than dribbling the ball.
The coach can have great fun with this drill and simultaneously teach the kids many important techniques of dribbling with the ball. Some tough and light drills are added in the soccer training programs to make the event interesting. And it is okay if some are not directly related to soccer and are only meant to have fun.
It is important in soccer coaching that kids shouldn’t do too much of anything.
Trust me when I say this, When you start applying these free soccer drills in your training programs , you will see for yourself how quickly the kids can learn the essentials of the game.
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About the author
Andre Botelho is the author of “The Expert Youth Soccer Coaching Guide” and he’s a recognized expert in the subject of youth soccer coaching. Learn how to explode your players’ skills and make coaching sessions fun in less than 29 days! Download your free pdf guide at: Free Soccer Drills.
Tags: Free soccer drills, soccer coaching, soccer exercises, Soccer practice