Soccer Drills For Match Conditions
Soccer is the fastest growing sport in the United States. Kids enjoy the game because it is a dynamic game and not confined. During the soccer match there is no “right field”. All of the players are involved and active. This involvement and activity should be carried over into the practice. Practices should be dynamic and not static. There should be no laps and no lines during practice.
Practices should involve match situations for the players. Running laps or standing in lines does not reflect match situations. Soccer players do run a lot during a match. This running is generally in short bursts that require both quick acceleration and speed. Running laps around the soccer pitch does not develop the muscles in order to have acceleration and speed. The running can be provided to the player in match situations, which will build muscles for both speed and acceleration. These exercises or drills are all done with a ball at the feet of the players thus increasing their skills and abilities.
A practice that involves players standing in line waiting to take a shot on goal is both static and boring to the player. This is wasting the valuable practice time of the coach and not developing match skills in the player. A far better way to develop these skills is to provide match conditions during practice. Lets for the moment consider a team with 12 players. The coach can break these 12 players down to six groups who will play 1 V 1 games. Each group of 2 players is provided a confined area to play in. Each player can have a goal to attack and or defend or a single goal can be provided to both players. During a 1 V 1 drill, the players learn to play against a single opponent and develop the techniques necessary to defeat that single player on the pitch. After 5 minutes, the players will swap opponents around and continue to work on their 1 V 1 skills.
Passing the ball from one teammate to the next is a requirement for soccer. The ball should be doing the work, not the players. After the 1 V 1 exercise is concluded, the coach can take the six 1 V 1 groups and create three 2 V 2 groups. Each team creates a goal in a triangular pattern. The playing field is enlarged from the 1 V 1 area. Each team is supplied with a particularly colored ball. The three teams then play each attempting to score on an opponent’s goal while defending their own. Restrictions can be put onto the players requiring a certain number of passes be made between teammates before a goal is scored.
The final part of practice involves the twelve players being separated into two 6 V 6 teams. These two teams will play on half of the pitch with a goal of reduced size. During this 6 V 6 play restrictions can be made by the coach as to number of successful passes, method of goal scoring or other requirements prior to shooting on goal. The play in this exercise or drill insures that the players get to touch the ball and each player is involved in short distance running which builds the correct muscles for both acceleration and speed.
Evaluating these three drills reveals that the players are engaged in running through the entire practice. All of the drills are match related and involve handling the ball. Prior to each practice of this type, the coach should introduce the technique that he wishes the players to practice during the drills. While the coach desires to make practice a physical exertion for the players, these practices can wear out the players. Time should be taken between drills for both water and recovery. During these breaks the coach can reinforce the technique introduced and amplify upon the instructions.
Restrictions that are placed upon the players are unlimited. The coach however must insure that the restrictions placed upon the players are within the capabilities of the players. If the players do not have much experience in playing the game, then the restriction can be as simple as only using the left foot during the drill. More experienced players can be provided more advanced restrictions such as scoring with a header. The coach through observation of his team during a match can determine what techniques he needs to have his team work on and design the restrictions to provide that work.
Drills that involve players in match situations provide a fun and enjoyable atmosphere for the players. These match situation drills allow the players to develop skill sets that will enable them to be a success on the pitch during a match. These drills with their age and skill appropriate restrictions enhance the players’ ability to succeed during a match. These drills are dynamic drills and the player will not become bored during practice. These drills involve short bursts of running thereby building the muscles that will improve the quickness and speed necessary for a team to succeed during a match.