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Command the Ball!
By Conor Lynch
What if there were 4 simple exercises
that could vastly improve your teams
ball mastery?
Ball mastery is essential for any aspiring soccer player. The
ability to deftly control the motion of the ball, all the while paying
attention to everything else that is going on is vital. It is one of the
easiest things to learn in Soccer, yet it is also one of the hardest to
master. Fortunately, with a little repetition of four simple exercises from
the Coerver Coaching Master Class Series, any team can vastly improve
their skills:
Exercise 1
Set up
A 20-by 20-yard area.
Up to 18 players each with a ball, standing one yard apart at one side
of the square.
Number the players alternately 1,2,3 and 4.
Action
The coach instructs all of the no.1 players to move steadily across the
square using alternate feet to pull the ball with the sole and push it
with the laced part of their shoes.
When the no.1 players are 1/3 across the square the coach instructs
no.2¡¯s to follow.
When no.2¡¯s are 1/3 across the square, the coach calls for no.3¡¯s.
The players rest on the opposite side of the square until all of the
other players arrive. Then the coach instructs them to return.
The coach can ask them to use the outside or the inside of the foot.
Tips
Simple repetitions with both feet are a sure way to improve your
players¡¯ ball control.
Tell players to start slowly and then try a little hop between pulls and
pushes.
All the practices in this section improve coordination and create flexible
ankles, knees and hips - key elements on the road to ball mastery
Exercise 2
Setup
A 20- by 20- yard area.
Each player with a ball, standing a couple of yards apart.
Form two or three lines, as required.
Action
On the coach¡¯s signal players move steadily up field tapping the ball
from foot to foot.
After four taps, they pull the ball with the sole and push it out with the
inside of both feet and repeat the sequence moving up field.
Tips
Number the players 1,2,3 and start them in waves according to
numbers called.
Exercise 3
Set up
A 12- by 12- yard area.
Four groups of up to four players positioned as shown.
The first player in each group has a ball.
Action
The players with a ball dribble to the center of the square cutting the
ball tightly across their bodies with the inside and outside of the same
foot.
At the center they cut the ball to their right, pass to the first player in
the next group and sprint to join the end of that group.
Option: The receiver can toe tap the ball between his feet until the
coach signals the next players to start.
Tips
Make sure players cut the ball across their bodies - not too far in front.
Have them make as many quick, tight cuts as possible without losing
control.
Tell them to keep their head up as much as possible.
Suggest that players use their ¡°weak¡± foot as well.
This format can be used for any of the ball mastery exercises.
Exercise 4
Setup
Two adjacent 10- by 20- yards lanes.
Two groups of up to six players at opposite end of the adjacent lanes.
The first player in each group has a ball.
Action
Players tap the ball forward with the outside of the foot as often as
they can to the midpoint of their lane where they pass to the first
player in the opposite group and sprint to join end of that group.
The receiving players repeat the action in the opposite direction.
Tips
Remind players to practice with both feet and to look up before they
pass.
When running these drills, make sure to keep your players going until
everyone has them down. The more you run a drill; the more ingrained
the movements become until they reach the level of instinct.
Your players will be able to automatically respond to what¡¯s going on
around them on the pitch, without thinking about it.
So be diligent in your training and your team will go far.
About the Author
Four great ball mastery drills straight from the New Era Guide Book compiled by Coerver Coaches. These exercises will drastically improve your ball handling ability. To learn more about the Coerver program just visit http://www.playgreatsoccer.com/
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/5447.html
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| Some other articles by Conor Lynch | First Touch Reception
Take Control of the Ball and
Preserve Your Offensive Momentum!
Receiving is a very important skill for players ...
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