Here’s a really simple way to control the ball to pass or shoot and this skill can be mastered through performing 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 is a drill that is intended for defensive as well as offensive 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 uses three players per drill group. The distance between A and B is about 10-15 yards.
B and the defensive player line up joining shoulder to shoulder. B and the defensive player, who stand adjacent to each other, face away from the goal on the left side of the field. When the coach whistles, A throws the ball at the back of 2 players. B and the defensive player begin to make efforts to take control of the ball. B’s goal is to take shot on the goal while the defensive player’s objective 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. It is one of many free soccer training drills that helps players achieve attentiveness and self-control in high-pressure situations.
Players stand in a large circle on the field. One player is selected to be the “shark” and stands in the center of the circle. There is only one ball in it and given to a person who stands in the circle.
On your whistle the player with the ball passes the ball to any other player alongside the circle. Then the second player passes it to another that he likes and this goes on like this.
Then you blow the whistle again and it means that the game should start. The aim of the game is that the shark should not be allowed to touch the ball. The player may select to pass the ball to anyone along the circle, be it a teammate right next to him or a teammate far away. Players try to make as many passes as possible.
This goes on till the time the shark gets the ball.
When the ball is captured, the player that caused the ball to be intercepted becomes the new shark and the first shark finds a place along the circle.
Shark in the Middle finds a place among those football drills that require a sharp thinking and an idea of the experience of the shark.
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 this material was useful please subscribe to our soccer coaching for young adults to enhance and develop your knowledge on coaching soccer available through various mediums like articles, newsletters and videos.
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.