If you are like me, you probably believe that young players enjoy the game most when they are scoring goals. When planning your practice schedule, you can include youth soccer drills that offer numerous opportunities to players to score goals.
Use small sided games, full field scrimmages, and shooting drills to create opportunities for them. In kids soccer drills, keep on varying the procedures in small sided games and full field scrimmages with a view to encourage players to score more.
You also have the choice to add games that can be played without a goalkeeper or where a goalie’s movement can be restricted within given boundaries. You can add more goals or widen the ones that are previously in use for the purpose of enhancing the chances of scoring more goals.
When young players improve in their shooting technique and the tactical knowledge about the shooting techniques, the chances of goal production are increased manifold. As is with passing skills, shooting techniques should also be taught to players at the beginner’s stage. These can be afterwards emphasized more when the player is in the later stages of his development.
When it comes to youth soccer practice, the most useful method to develop player’s shooting skills is including drills in practice. In order to effectively score goals, shooting drills help in developing shooting skills of the players. But the player’s shooting skills should always be developed progressively.
Several youth soccer drills can be planned in away that they develop the player’s shooting skills in the sequence given below;
1. Stationery ball shot by a stationery player.
2. Stationery ball being shot by a moving player.
3. A static player shooting a moving ball.
4. Moving ball being shot by a moving player.
It should be an imperative part of youth soccer coaching to help the players hit the ball effectively while shooting. A lot of players have the tendency to take shots from the close range using the inside of their feet. This has the effect of enhancing the shooting accuracy.
Where the situation is such that strength is required to hit the ball, teach the players to use the instep of their foot to strike the ball. Their toes should point downwards and the ankles must be locked.
How the non-kicking foot is placed determines the elevation of the shoot. Instruct the players to place their non-kicking foot slightly away from the ball. This will keep the shot low. Ensure that the players focus on striking the ball. You can remove all the distracting equipment such as players and balls so that they focus better.
As the players improve their shooting technique, raise the difficulty level in the practice games. Take for example, when their shooting improves, make them work with balls at different speeds and levels.
Now get out there and include a lot of shooting exercises in your youth soccer drills for the practice sessions.
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