4 simple exercises that will vastly improve your teams ball mastery
Ball mastery is essential for any aspiring soccer player. The ability to deftly control the motion of the ball, all the while paying attention to everything else that is going on is vital. It is one of the easiest things to learn in Soccer, yet it is also one of the hardest to master. Fortunately, with a little repetition of four simple exercises from the Coerver Coaching Master Class Series, any team can vastly improve their skills:
Exercise 1
Set up
A 20-by 20-yard area.
Up to 18 players each with a ball, standing one yard apart at one side of the square.
Number the players alternately 1,2,3 and 4.
Action
The coach instructs all of the no.1 players to move steadily across the square using alternate feet to pull the ball with the sole and push it with the laced part of their shoes.
When the no.1 players are 1/3 across the square the coach instructs no.2's to follow.
When no.2's are 1/3 across the square, the coach calls for no.3's.
The players rest on the opposite side of the square until all of the other players arrive. Then the coach instructs them to return.
The coach can ask them to use the outside or the inside of the foot.
Tips
Simple repetitions with both feet are a sure way to improve your players' ball control.
Tell players to start slowly and then try a little hop between pulls and pushes.
All the practices in this section improve coordination and create flexible ankles, knees and hips - key elements on the road to ball mastery
Exercise 2
Setup
A 20- by 20- yard area.
Each player with a ball, standing a couple of yards apart.
Form two or three lines, as required.
Action
On the coach's signal players move steadily up field tapping the ball from foot to foot.
After four taps, they pull the ball with the sole and push it out with the inside of both feet and repeat the sequence moving up field.
Tips
Number the players 1,2,3 and start them in waves according to numbers called.
Exercise 3
Set up
A 12- by 12- yard area.
Four groups of up to four players positioned as shown.
The first player in each group has a ball.
Action
The players with a ball dribble to the center of the square cutting the ball tightly across their bodies with the inside and outside of the same foot.
At the center they cut the ball to their right, pass to the first player in the next group and sprint to join the end of that group.
Option: The receiver can toe tap the ball between his feet until the coach signals the next players to start.
Tips
Make sure players cut the ball across their bodies - not too far in front.
Have them make as many quick, tight cuts as possible without losing control.
Tell them to keep their head up as much as possible.
Suggest that players use their "weak" foot as well.
This format can be used for any of the ball mastery exercises.
Exercise 4
Setup
Two adjacent 10- by 20- yards lanes.
Two groups of up to six players at opposite end of the adjacent lanes.
The first player in each group has a ball.
Action
Players tap the ball forward with the outside of the foot as often as they can to the midpoint of their lane where they pass to the first player in the opposite group and sprint to join end of that group.
The receiving players repeat the action in the opposite direction.
Tips
Remind players to practice with both feet and to look up before they pass.
When running these drills, make sure to keep your players going until everyone has them down. The more you run a drill; the more ingrained the movements become until they reach the level of instinct.
Your players will be able to automatically respond to what's going on around them on the pitch, without thinking about it.
So be diligent in your training and your team will go far.
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