Here is a drill that requires  precision skills and quick decision making, exactly what is required of players in a match. It provides multiple opportunities to receive the ball and pass quickly with precision.

In the video below from World Class Coaching, Coach Rob Gale explains the set up and leads the drill. The drill is set up with five players set up around a 10 x 10 yard grid.  There are four players on the outside with one player on each corner and one player in the middle.  Each player on the outside has two soccer balls next to them which are needed to pass to the middle player once the drill begins.  The coach assigns each player on the outside a number from one to four.  The drill begins by the coach calling out a number and the middle player has to receive a pass from the player with that number.  A second number is then called out by the coach, which is where the middle player must pass the ball back to.  This continues with the coach calling out different numbers each time so the middle player must pass and receive to the outside players in different combinations.

There are several key benefits for doing this drill:

Technical Skills

This is a great drill for a practice session or could even be used as a warm up before a game.  All the players get lots of touches and reps working on their technical skills.  There is not much running or fitness involved, but players are getting a lot of touches on the ball.

Two Touch Passing and Receiving

The middle player is challenged in this drill to do quick two touch passing and receiving with the players on the outside.  Coaches should make sure the passes coming into the middle player as well as the passes going back to the outside players have pace and are not hit slow.

Mental Training

All players must constantly think and be ready for a pass.  Its good practice for each player to be forced to play quickly and work together in order to challenge each other.  The mental training in this drill should not be overlooked because players need to constantly work on this in order to improve their game and play at a high level.

The YouTube video below has audio, so please make sure that your volume is turned up and that you have access to the site. Click the arrow to play the video. Note that some schools block access to YouTube. Below the video I have included links to two Free e-books from World Class Coaching

World Class Coaching is a site that has a tremendous amount of resources for coaches. You can on the link to their site to take a look at what they have to offer.  Below I have included links to two FREE eBooks that they are offering you. Just click the images to get your free  e-Book(s)

 

Do you need a drill that gets players a lot of touches and gets them moving and working together?  This 1 and 2 touch passing drill is a great drill to gets the  whole team involved. Great warm-up activity.

This drill, courtesy of World Class Coaching, is set up in three 10 x 10 yard grids with five players per grid that are passing and moving as a group.  This is a great warm up activity that could be used to start a practice session or before a game.  Players could be placed in groups by positions so defensive players and offensive players are working together.

The coaches instruct the players on different variations throughout the drill:

One Touch Pass and Move

 

Each player can only use one touch when passing to a teammate inside the grid.  All players must be moving and can’t be standing or walking while the ball is moving.  This drill helps players not only with their touch, but with thinking and reading the game.  Once a player makes a pass, they need to move away into another area so others can receive a pass in open space.  Each player should be watching the ball and preparing to receive the next pass.  A good way to challenge players is to make the receiving player be in front of the player passing.  This forces players to think and move so they help their teammates by being in front and not behind where they have to turn.

One Touch Plus Cone Touch

 

This drill still involves one touch passing, but players must now touch one of the corner cones of the grid after making a pass.  This forces players to check out of space to touch a cone, then quickly come back into the grid to be ready for another pass.  Players should be instructed to touch the cone that is closest to them rather than running across the grid or to the opposite side, which takes more time and is not efficient movement.

One Touch Combination

 

Each player is now required to do a one touch combination when making a pass, so once a pass is made to a player, the ball must be passed back while moving so there is a combination between two players.  This drill is important because players are working together similar to a game.  The give and go type play is used a lot on the field and is very effective if done properly.  Again, all players must be ready in case the pass comes to them for a combination play.

These drills are from World Class Coaching. They have a large number of resources for coaches. Click the link to their site for more info. They are also offering you a couple of free e-books. Click the images below the video for more information.

The YouTube video below is shot at an actual training session. The video does not include in verbal instruction. Click the arrow to play the video. Please note that some schools block access to YouTube.

 

Below are the two Free e-Books from World Class Coaching. Click the images for get your free e-Book(s)

Improve the individual skills of your players and you will improve your team. In this post Charlie Cooke, Director of Coerver Coaching USA, teaches four change of directions moves that will make your players more effective with the ball. 

Coach Cooke, instructs players  during his Creating and Converting Goal Chances demonstration at a recent Glazier Soccer Clinic.  There are players split up into groups of three in multiple 10 x 10 grids on the field.  The first player in each group performs the move in the grid and then dribbles or passes back for the second player to go.  This continues for each partner and then the next move is explained and shown to the players.

Coach Cooke demonstrates four change of direction moves that the players perform during his demonstration:

Inside foot cut

 

This move is done by using the inside part of the foot when turning at the end of the grid.  Coach Cooke points out that he wants players to perform this cut in one touch rather than using multiple touches.

U-turn

 

The U-turn move is done by taking the toe and bottom part of the cleat to turn quickly in a U shape.  Players can add a fake pass or shot to make this move more realistic and be more effective during a game.

Step-Over

 

This move involves “stepping over” the ball with the outside or foot farthest from the ball.  This is repeated with the opposite foot in the opposite direction to practice both sides.  This move can be very effective in games with changing directions to get away from a defender.  A key part to the step over is making sure it is performed all in one movement.

Hop and Hesitation

The hop and hesitation or hi-wave move involves a player bringing their knee and leg up over the ball while dribbling and slowing down, then back down to change speeds and dribble quickly away.  This move should be done without ever touching the ball with the key parts being the fake and then changing speeds to get away or around a defender.

This clip is just a sample from Coach Cooke’s presentation. For information about how to gain access to the entire presentation, as well as hundreds of other great clinic presentations, click the link Glazier Soccer Clinic.

 

How can you create space to score? Individual skill development is the answer.  This drill from World Class Coaching will help your players create the needed space in order to get a shot on goal.

This drill is set up with two groups of players that are working in a 10 – 15 yard area.  Each group has a player that starts by a cone or training pole.  The second player with the ball passes to their partner based on the skill or pass they are working on.  The player that passes the ball then replaces the player working so there is a constant rotation around the grid and between the two lines.

There are two different turns and passes that are worked on during this drill:

1. Outside foot turn

The pass is played into the partner who uses the outside of their foot to turn towards the outside and then connects pass with the player from the other line.  This turn is important for forwards or any offensive player to learn and use when trying to create space to score in a game.  The objective is to turn towards the inside, which would set up a shot with the opposite foot.  If the player uses the outside of their right foot to turn, they would be setting up a left footed shot.  If the player used the outside of their left foot to turn, they would be setting up a right footed shot.

2. Pass in behind to space

 

This pass is used to get in behind a defense when a defender may be cheating or playing too aggressively.  The player working sets up the play by acting like they are checking back to receive a pass, but then makes another move or back cut to run behind the defender into space.  The partner passing the ball must be aware and read the play, as well as playing a properly weighted ball that gets into space in front of their partner so they don’t have to stop or slow down to receive it.  There is a lot of timing involved between the players, but it’s a great pass to practice and work on with all different ages.

The YouTube video below has sound, so please make sure that your volume is turned up and that you have access to the site. Note some schools block access to YouTube

 

World Class Coaching offers many great coaching tools including eBooks and DVD. Click the link for more information about those products.

I have included a link to a free eBook that they are offering. Click on the image below to get your free access