Easter island
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
Defenders try to stop players stealing the eggs (balls) from Easter island (centre circle). The team which steals the most balls wins the game. MORE
Ball Control and Footwork
Changing direction
in Arrival activities, Ball Control and Footwork, Warm Ups
As an arrival activity this works because you can add players as they turn up to training. It develops a high level of skill and movement. It is good for technique and uses both feet. MORE
Beat the keeper
in Attacking, Ball Control and Footwork, Goalkeeping
This very match-relevant training session will help your players score more by teaching them to make the right decisions when they use their skills to go 1v1 with the goalkeeper MORE
Speed with the ball
in Ball Control and Footwork, Small Sided Games
The session helps to advance the development of players by making them work at speed where first touch is vital to success in the session. MORE
Skill and vision
in Ball Control and Footwork, Small Sided Games
The session is all about time on the ball and players making decisions in attack and defence. Puts skills into game context MORE
A good first touch
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
A high-quality controlling touch away from opposition pressure is critical because it allows your players to retain possession and gives them vital time before executing their next move. In this drill, that will be a pass to a team mate. MORE
Fast attacks win games
in Ball Control and Footwork, Email newsletters
Even in a fluent passing team, the most obvious way to take a game to the opposition is with your players carrying the ball forward and looking to exploit the space in front of them. Try these sessions to help you coach your players MORE
Turn and go
in Attacking, Ball Control and Footwork
An end-to-end game to teach your midfielders how to pick up the ball and drive forward with it, creating attacking openings for the team in the final third of the pitch MORE
Volley like Sancho
in Ball Control and Footwork, Email newsletters
In the youth game hitting the ball on the volley is the perfect way to hit the back of the net. 18-year-old Jadon Sancho is a master of the technique MORE
The ultimate player
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
Blast your players to top-level fitness and excellent technique with this circuit session. Designed to sharpen skills, it will also help players returning to training from injury or illness. MORE
Zigzag dribble
in Ball Control and Footwork, Shooting
Great wingers can cut inside and shoot. Use this activity to encourage your players to add an end product to their dribbling. MORE
Tight Targets
in Ball Control and Footwork, Small Sided Games
Whether your training area is tight or you just want to work on possession skills, this session is perfect to coach players how to move the ball around neatly in a small space. MORE
Slam
in Ball Control and Footwork, Fun soccer games
It’s rare that I advise coaches to set up games and drills that require props, such as a wall, because not all soccer coaches will have access to one, but Slam is one game where it’s worth making the effort. Game to improve players’ kicking skills If you want a game which can improve kicking... MORE
Control, pass, move
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
A good first touch to control the ball, which is followed by an accurate pass and then moving to be available for another pass is a good habit to have. Instil this in your players with this session. MORE
Ball master
A lot of elements go into making a successful team. This session looks at players’ awareness of group shape and off-the-ball movements MORE
Skills square
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
If a player is quick with his feet, passing and mind, he will beat opponents. This session will help you develop these abilities in your players to help them get past defenders and score a goal. MORE
Christmas champions
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
It’s that time of year when you can give your players a fun session before the Christmas break. This will help the unity of your team and improve your players’ skills at the same time. MORE
Skills slalom
in Ball Control and Footwork, Shooting
This brilliant training drill will encourage your attackers to control the ball and unleash a shot on the run – makes a great arrival activity as you can add players as they turn up MORE
How to score with both feet
in Ball Control and Footwork, Email newsletters, Shooting
Great strikers can score goals with both of their feet, so try to get your players using their weaker foot close to goal so they’re not twisting their bodies into unusual shapes to try and get their foot in the right position to score. MORE
Receiving with the back foot
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
When a player can receive and control a pass with his “back foot”, it gives him a real advantage. Most importantly, it buys him time so he can see what is happening around him. MORE
Deadly with both feet
in Ball Control and Footwork, Shooting
The second a striker gets a sniff of the goal, if they can use both feet it is easier to pull the trigger and fire home. This activity helps to develop these skills for use on match day MORE
Skills: 4 ways to practice chipping the ball
in Ball Control and Footwork, Email newsletters
One of the most useful skills a young player can add to his/her toolbox is the ability to chip a ball. Chip the keeper, chip the defensive wall or chip from the edge of the box to cause chaos in the penalty area. MORE
5 ways to cut out giving the ball away
in Ball Control and Footwork, Email newsletters
How often do you see a fantastic pass from one of your players only for the receiving player to take a poor first touch and give the ball back to the opposition? MORE
Video: dribble decisions
in Ball Control and Footwork, Soccer dribbling drills
Watch the video. Dribbling players can create space for their team-mates by running at the defence– but do they pass or do they shoot? This game helps players with their decision-making. MORE
