As in any other sport, the recipe for success in soccer is equal parts talent and preparation. There is not much we can do about talent, but there is a lot we can do to prepare.
It is important that the boys spend a lot of time playing around with a soccer ball. No matter what positions they play, it is important that they have a high level of "feel" for the ball, and feel comes from nothing else but accumulating experience with a ball on your foot, not to mention their thighs, chest and head, and hands if you are a goalkeeper.
And the best to do it is: JUGGLING.
Juggling is one good way to develop ball feel. But even better is kicking the ball against a wall and playing rebound in different ways. The best thing about this is most players enjoy it.
Although it's simple, juggling is one of the best ways to improve ball control. It only takes a few minutes of training a day, but it produces noticeable results.
Step1: Pick the ball up and hold it out in front of you.
Step2 Drop the ball to your feet or thigh and kick it back up into the air. Use the base of your big toe to make contact with the ball.
Step3 Catch the ball with your hands after kicking it once. This is the basic movement behind juggling.
Step4 Drop the ball to your feet again and kick it twice before catching it. You can use the same foot for both kicks or you can alternate feet. Alternating is a good idea during training, because it strengthens your weak foot.
Step5 Count the number of times you kick the ball up before it hits the ground. Practice juggling until you can beat your record.
Step6 Master the basic juggling technique before trying more advanced moves. There are dozens of freestyle soccer moves that build on this basic technique, but you need a solid training foundation to do them well.
Player Expectations U10:
•Players confident enough to take risks with the ball in training and game situations
•25 juggles in one minute
Player Expectations U11:
•Passing/receiving for distance
•Striking the ball with both feet
•50 juggles in one minute
It is important that the boys spend a lot of time playing around with a soccer ball. No matter what positions they play, it is important that they have a high level of "feel" for the ball, and feel comes from nothing else but accumulating experience with a ball on your foot, not to mention their thighs, chest and head, and hands if you are a goalkeeper.
And the best to do it is: JUGGLING.
Juggling is one good way to develop ball feel. But even better is kicking the ball against a wall and playing rebound in different ways. The best thing about this is most players enjoy it.
Although it's simple, juggling is one of the best ways to improve ball control. It only takes a few minutes of training a day, but it produces noticeable results.
Step1: Pick the ball up and hold it out in front of you.
Step2 Drop the ball to your feet or thigh and kick it back up into the air. Use the base of your big toe to make contact with the ball.
Step3 Catch the ball with your hands after kicking it once. This is the basic movement behind juggling.
Step4 Drop the ball to your feet again and kick it twice before catching it. You can use the same foot for both kicks or you can alternate feet. Alternating is a good idea during training, because it strengthens your weak foot.
Step5 Count the number of times you kick the ball up before it hits the ground. Practice juggling until you can beat your record.
Step6 Master the basic juggling technique before trying more advanced moves. There are dozens of freestyle soccer moves that build on this basic technique, but you need a solid training foundation to do them well.
Player Expectations U10:
•Players confident enough to take risks with the ball in training and game situations
•25 juggles in one minute
Player Expectations U11:
•Passing/receiving for distance
•Striking the ball with both feet
•50 juggles in one minute
