EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FOR GRASSROOTS SOCCER COACHES
BALL CONTROL 2
Receive and control the ball (3 yards)
“Call for the ball” • “Keep your eyes on the ball” • “Use the inside of the foot to cushion and stop the ball”
Set up three 2ft triangles set out 3 yards apart in a larger triangle. Put a player in each small triangle and give one a ball.
When you say “go”, players pass from triangle to triangle trying to control the ball inside their own triangle – you may need to experiment with the size of the triangles if their control is poor.
Players have to receive the ball and cushion it using the side of the foot, then make a half turn to pass to the player on their right.
Don’t expect miracles when you first start using the activity, there will be lots of misplaced passes and balls that are not stopped by the players. Once they have used it a few times, though, they will be stopping the ball in the triangle and getting passes away.
Use the Call Out phrases as they are receiving to remind them what they should be doing.
Players worked in threes in the activity I ran but you can change it to suit the numbers available.
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in Fun soccer games, Soccer drills and skills
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