A good drill is one that is realistic, competitive, gives multiple touches and provides an opportunity for transfer of training to competition. In addition, drills that can be easily modified to teach additional skills are great ones to add to your coaching toolbox.

In the video clip below Tom Mura of World Class Coaching uses Planet Training session software to illustrate a finishing drill that will give you a chance to work on passing, timing of supporting runs and shooting. You will find this competitive drill to be realistic and allows players to practice patterns that occur during matches. The drill is easily adaptable, as the patterns may be altered to meet the needs of your team.

For more great soccer coaching tools click on the links above or visit the World Class Coaching YouTube Channel for other great coaching videos.

The YouTube video below has sound, so please make sure that your sound is turned on and that you have access to the site. (Some schools block access to YouTube)

The set up of the finishing drill is as follows.

The drill is played on half a field. Three small goals are placed along the end line an equal distance apart. Groups of five players are placed in one of three lines at midfield. Two lines on the outsides and one in the middle. In the outside lines three cones are spaced out in a zig zag fashion from midfield to the penalty box. The first cone is to the outside, second to the middle and the third out side. One player is placed at each cone and two player at midfield. The pattern is the same on both outside lines. The first player in line passes to the second player that is positioned at the first cone. The ball is laid back to the fist player that advances it to the third player. The second player will now make a supporting run and receive a pass from the third player. The ball is now played through to the fourth player who turns to the outside and scores.

In the middle line the three cones are placed in a straight line. The second player will check to one side of his cone to receive a diagonal pass from the first player. The third and fourth players will adjust opposite of the person before them. After receiving a pass from player 1, player 2 returns the pass to player number 1 who then plays through to player number 3. Player 3 then returns the ball to player number 2 who has come underneath into the open space to receive the pass. Two then plays the ball to player 4. Player four will then angle the ball back to player 3 as he makes a run. Player 3 will finish.

The players in each line follow their pass to the next cone. The drill continues until each player has shot twice or until a specified number of goals have been scored. Have players rotate to different lines until each player has been in each line.

Effective transition defense can prevent your opponent from advancing into your defensive half. By teaching your team to communicate in the back four you can help close down passing lanes and limit your opponents ability get to behind your defense and thus reduce their scoring opportunities.

In the video below Illinois Wesleyan Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Dave Barrett shows you a drill that will teach your back four defenders to be organized organized and positioned to win the ball. The clip is from a DVD that also covers:
How to teach your back four to retreat and take away space in front of the goal
How to teach the correct technique to close space while defending
How to train midfield players to back-tackle during transition

For more information about purchasing this DVD click on the link Techniques and Tactics for Transition Defending

The YouTube video below has sound, so please make sure that the sound is turned on and that you have access to YouTube. (Some schools block access to YouTube)

The transition defense drill is part of a progression of drills. This drill is played 4v4 with the offense starting at the midfield line. The offense has three players at the the midfield line each with a ball. One striker is placed forward in line with the back four defenders.

On coaches whistle the three attackers with a balls begin dribbling towards the retreating defenders. The defense must track all three attacking players as they each have a ball. They must also communciate the position of the striker. After a few seconds the coach will call out a number 1-3. The number represents which of the three players will continue with the ball. The other two disregard their ball and play begins from this position. The defense must now communicate and adjust to the attacking players as well as be the position of the striker and any potential threatening runs she might make.

The defenders have three goals:

1. Kick the ball out of bounds
2. Play the ball back to the keeper
3. Keep possession

Scoring opportunities present themselves fromm all areas of the field. Clearly, if you can make a run into the box a take a shot close to goal that is an efficient way to score. However, scoring opportunities may present themselves from positions further from the goal with power shots . Power shooting can be effective, but players need to be smart and aggressive. While it is good to exercise patience, work the ball and make runs, a well executed power shot can score from distance. Players need to be on the alert for these opportunities and be ready to shoot aggressively. Sometimes the keeper is caught off guard and goals are scored directly. Other times the keeper may miss handle the power shot and the ball can be put back into the net.

In the clip below professional coach Jim Giligan demonstrates a Power Shooting Game he uses to help make his players more aggressive and to look for opportunities to get shots on goal from distance. The clip is from World Class Coaching. For more great coaching tools clock on the link above or visit the World Class Coaching YouTube Channel for more videos like the one below.

The YouTube Video has sound, so please make sure that your sound is turned on and that you have access to the site. (Some schools block access to YouTube)

This game is played on a shortened field of approximately 35-40 yards. Each team has six players and a keeper. The game is played 4v2 in each half of the field and players cannot cross the halfway line. The 4 offensive players must work the ball to near the halfway line and take the first available power shot.

If the keeper secures the ball, she will play in to one of her 4 offensive players who will try to move the ball verses the 2 defenders and shoot aggressively from beyond the halfway line.

If the keeper is unable to secure the ball the 2 defensive players in that end can attempt to strike the ball for a goal.

The key to the game is to get players to be aggressive and strike the ball with power at the first available opportunity.

Playing the ball out of the air, either with a volley or a header, is an important component of a teams offensive attack. Like any skill, learning to execute the volley and the header requires many repetitions. There are many different drills that can be used to give your players the necessary repetitions needed to master these skills.

In order to become efficient scoring using the header and/or the volley your players need opportunities in live play. The need to see the opening develop and recognize the opportunity to use a volley or header.

In the video clip below you will see a simple 3v3 game designed to give your players multiple opportunities to execute the header and volley. The game requires the players to pass the ball using their hands. This is a nice change of pace, your players are likely to have fun with this game.

The clip is from SoccerClinincs.com, a great resource for soccer coaches. They have many tools that you might find helpful in coaching for team. For more information about their resources click the link above. To view other soccer coaching video you can also visit the SoccerCoachTV YouTube Channel

The YouTube video below has sound, so please make sure that you have your sound on and that you have access to the site. (Some schools block access to YouTube)

The header volley game is played on a shortened field. The width of the field is also reduced to a few yards wider than the goal on each side. The dimensions may be altered if needed (bigger means more conditioning)

The game is played 3v3 with each team having two target players placed near each post of their goal. Each team will also have a goal keeper. The three players must pass the ball with their hands to move down the field. In order to score a player must receive a pass from one of the target players and either volley or head the ball into the goal.