Here’s a really simple way to control the ball to pass or shoot and this skill can be mastered through performing various free soccer training drills. In this article, Shoulder To Shoulder and Shark in the Middle are two such soccer drills that have been discussed in detail for you.
Shoulder To Shoulder is a drill that is suitable for both offensive as well as defensive players. The main purpose of this exercise is to teach offensive player to practice fast shooting under pressure and let the defensive players practice clearing the ball.
This drill makes use of 3 players each drill group. The distance existing between A and B is 10-15 yards.
B and the defensive player make a line shoulder to shoulder. B and the defensive player, standing along with each other, face away from the goal on the left side of the field. As soon as the coach whistles, A throws the ball in the rear of the remaining 2 players. B and the defensive player initiate and attempt to take control of the ball. B’s goal is to take shot on the goal while the defensive player’s objective is to turn with the ball and dribble it above the center line.
By working on coaching drills like Shoulder to Shoulder, players get to learn as to how to win the ball despite being under immense pressure from an opposing player.
Shark in the Middle is a fun game that can be played at any time during a practice and its duration can be adjusted as per the need. It is one of many free soccer training drills that helps players achieve attentiveness and self-control in high-pressure situations.
Players form a large circle in the field. A player is then designated as a shark and made to stand in the middle of the circle. There is only a single ball and it is given to the person who stands inside the circle.
When you blow the whistle, the player who has the ball passes it to the player just along the circle. Then, the second player passes the ball to a third player of his choice and so on.
Then the whistle is blown again signaling the start of the game. The objective of the game is to make sure that shark does not get the ball. Player may pass the ball to anyone along the circle, be it a teammate right next to him or a teammate at a distance. The players make an effort to make as many passes as possible.
This goes on till the time the shark gets the ball.
When the ball is hijacked, the player that caused the ball to be intercepted is the new shark and the first shark joins others along the circle.
Shark in the Middle is one of those football drills that demands a great deal of thinking and the ability to act like a shark.
In conclusion, these free soccer training drills help players to build self-confidence to handle the ball while under pressure from an oncoming attacker. If you want more information and knowledge please subscribe to our youth soccer coaching community where a lot of learning resources are available.
Andre Botelho is a recognized expert in youth soccer coaching. He influences well over 35,000 youth coaches each year with his unique coaching philosophy, and makes it really easy to explode your players’ skills and make training more fun in record time. To download your free youth soccer coaching guide visit: Free soccer training drills.
Tags: coaching drills, football drills, Free soccer training drills, soccer drills