Let me show you how to control the ball in a manner so as to shoot or pass effectively and this skill can be perfected through the various free soccer training drills. In this article, you will know about 2 of the well-known soccer drills, Shoulder To Shoulder and Shark in the Middle.
Shoulder To Shoulder drill is meant for offensive and defensive players. The objective of this drill is to teach the offensive player to master fast shooting under pressure and the defensive players to clean the ball.
This drill utilizes 3 players in each drill group. The distance between A and B is about 10-15 yards.
B and the defensive player line up 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 begin to make efforts to take control of the ball. B tries to take a shot on the goal while the defensive player’s aim is to turn with the ball and dribble it above the center line.
By involving players in coaching drills like Shoulder to Shoulder, players learn to win the ball despite being under immense pressure from the opposition.
Shark in the Middle is an interesting game that can be played any time during the practice and its duration can be worked out as per the need. This is one of several free soccer training drills that aims to make the players more attentive and in control in high-pressure games.
Players assemble themselves in 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 one ball in it and given to a person who stands in the circle.
When the whistle is blown, the player who has the ball passes it to the other one along the circle. Then, the second player passes the ball to a third player of his choice and so on.
Then you blow the whistle for the second time which means that the game has started. The aim of the game is that the shark should not be allowed to touch 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 try to go for as many passes as they can.
This practice continues till the time the shark possesses the ball.
When the ball is caught, the player that caused the ball to be intercepted becomes the new shark and the first shark joins others along the circle.
Shark in the Middle is one of those football drills that call for quick thinking and the understanding of how sharks think.
To end the discussion, these free soccer training drills help players to build self-confidence to handle the ball while under pressure from an approaching opposition. 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.