5 Keys to Passing in Soccer

5 Keys to Passing in Soccer

1. FIND YOUR TARGET

Finding your target is important to passing in soccer. Being able to see the field and recognize your target is a key aspect in keeping possession. After locating open teammates decide the type of pass needed to get them the ball. Find targets that will continue the attack. This could be the difference in having a scoring opportunity or losing possession of the ball.  

2. PLANT FOOT POINTED TOWARD YOUR TARGET

It is essential to have balance when passing in soccer. Be sure that your plant foot is pointed toward your target. This will ensure that your body is balanced and in the correct position to make the pass. Your plant foot works as a guide and aides in the accuracy of passing in soccer. The direction your plant foot faces can determine the direction the ball will go.

3. LOCK YOUR ANKLE

A key to passing in soccer is to lock your ankle. This will give you a stable surface to strike the ball. The proper technique is to have your toe up and heel down when passing with the inside of your foot. When passing with the outside of the foot or laces have your toe down and heel up.  It is important to have a solid surface to ensure a solid pass.

4. STRIKE THE CENTER OF THE BALL

Passing in soccer is effective when you strike the center of the ball. The accuracy of your pass is dependent on a solid strike at the center of the ball. A ball struck from below the center will be lifted. Striking the ball off center will lead to the ball moving from one side to the other. Making an accurate pass will allow your team to create attacking opportunities. 

5. FOLLOW THRU

Follow thru is important to passing in soccer. After you strike the center of the ball finish the pass with your follow thru. This will provide the proper pace and weight to your pass. Be aware after your perfect pass has been completed. Be sure to open the space, make your next run and be available to continue the attack.

5 Keys to Dribbling in Soccer

5 Keys to Dribbling in Soccer

1. SOFT TOUCH

One of the keys to dribbling in soccer is to have soft touch. You should be comfortable using both feet in multiple directions. It is important to have the ability to use multiple surfaces of each foot. Soft touch is essential to keep the ball close and retain possession. Keep defenders off balance and exploit open spaces.

2. SEE THE FIELD

The ability to see the field is important to dribbling in soccer. It is essential to keep your head up in order to connect with teammates. Being able to see the field will lead to you making better decisions. This will allow you to recognize open space and create scoring opportunities.

3. STAY ON YOUR TOES

Staying on your toes is vital to dribbling in soccer. Being alert and prepared will insure that you will make quick decisions. You should be aware and display to ability to avoid defenders. Recognize areas that offer an attacking advantage.

4. CHANGE DIRECTION

Being able to change direction is essential to dribbling in soccer. You should use your ability to change direction to avoid defenders. It is used to find open space and create scoring opportunities. This can unbalance the defense and generate attacking possibilities.

5. CHANGE SPEED

Changing speed is crucial to dribbling in soccer. This is essential for exploiting open space. You can change speed to create weak spots in the defense. It will allow you to create attacking opportunities for yourself or your teammates.

     

5 Key Mindsets for Players To Coaches

5 Key Mindsets for Players To Coaches

1. PAY ATTENTION

Coaches enjoy players that pay attention. This will give the session a favorable flow. Players that pay attention will have more opportunities to improve their skill. Remain focused to ensure that everyone has the chance to enhance their ability. If players don't pay attention they will miss valuable information and will not be able to perform at their highest level.

2. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS

Do what is asked of them. Understand what their responsibilities are and carry them out. The coach will attempt to place players in positions where they will succeed. Follow the instructions and use this to build to their game. Training sessions are used to learn the proper technique, follow the instructions and be willing to correct mistakes.

3. BE VERSATILE

Be willing to understand and excel at a different position. Versatile players show team work because they can and will play other positions or formations. They are well rounded players that understand the game from several perspectives. They are great teammates and always willing to help the team.

4. UNDERSTAND YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Players that understand their responsibility play with confidence. Players ask questions and understand what duties they need to perform in order to be successful. Every player has to play their part, this will lead to the success of the team. Players will realize they do not need to do everything, just do their thing.

5. RESPECT DECISIONS

Respect the coaches decisions. Players may not always agree with the coach but they should respect the coaches decisions. They should continue to have a positive attitude. Be willing to work hard and give maximum effort. Show character and use it as a opportunity to improve their team. The coach will never ask players to do something that they can't do.

5 Key Mindsets For Players To Their Teammates

5 Key Mindsets for Players To Their Teammates

1. GIVE THEM CONFIDENCE

Encourage your teammates. Everyone makes mistakes, even you, remember to remain positive. Your teammate probably realizes they have made a mistake, a positive word can help them refocus. Always seek opportunities to give your teammates the confidence to perform at their best. Celebrate your teammates achievements and acknowledge their good play. Confident players lead to confident teams.

2. GIVE THEM A CHALLENGE

Be at your best. High level competition will lead to increased performance. Challenge their skills, put them in pressure situations and give them opportunities to improve. The better you play the more skilled they will become and vice versa.

3. GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO SUCCEED

Understand your teammates strengths and weaknesses. Give them a chance to succeed. Play to their talent and help to improve their weaknesses. Find opportunities to put them in comfortable situations. The more comfortable your teammates are the better they will play.

4. GIVE THEM RESPECT

Show your character by being respectful to your teammates. Team unity is important and respect between teammates goes a long way. It is fun to play on a team that appreciates each others hard work. Teammates that are considerate of each other will increase their level of play.

5. GIVE THEM SUPPORT

Work together. Give them support in all aspects of the game.  Help your teammates improve and lead by example. Give them the support that they need. Assist them in training sessions and during the game. Find ways to make them confident enough to believe in their ability and humble enough to work on their shortcomings. Understand that you are all in this together, you help each other improve.

5 Key Mindsets For Players During Training

5 KEY MINDSETS FOR PLAYERS DURING TRAINING

1. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS

Understand the task you are asked to do. Coaches give specific instructions before each drill, which is used to train an aspect of the game. Be aware and follow the instructions in order to master that element of the game. The sooner you understand and follow the instructions the more time can be dedicated to the technical component of the skills training. 

2. PAY ATTENTION 

Be aware and focused. If you are not paying attention you will likely not know what to do. Give your coach your undivided attention at all times. There are many distractions that can occur during training but do not forget why you are there. Show your leadership qualities by paying attention, your teammates and your coach will appreciate your attentiveness.

3. DO NOT STOP OTHERS FROM LEARNING 

Be calm and under control. Do not stop others from learning. You and your teammates are there to have fun but do not have so much fun that you can not focus. It is difficult to focus, pay attention, follow instructions and do the drill correctly if there are distractions. Try not to be a distraction, be helpful and realize everyone is working to get better. 

4. BUILD ON YOUR GAME (DO THE DRILLS CORRECTLY) 

Every time you step on the field have the expectation of getting better. Build on your game by doing the drills correctly. Take the time to learn and perfect new skills in training. Incorporate the new skills into your existing game. You will see an improvement but it starts by performing the drills correctly.

5. HAVE ENERGY (GAME SPEED)

The way your approach training is the way you will play in a game. Have energy and train at game speed. Be willing to work hard during training. Being near game speed while training will be beneficial at game time. This will prepare your mind and body for situations that will occur during a game.  

5 Key Mindsets for Youth Soccer Players

5 KEY MINDSETS FOR YOUTH SOCCER PLAYERS

1. PLAY HARD

Maximum effort turns into maximum results. Play with energy and give yourself an opportunity to make a positive impact on the game. Your team will see your hard work and will respond with hard work of their own. Try to be the first to the ball and never give up. The coach will recognize your dedication to play hard. It is difficult to make every play but you should always attempt to make plays in your area. Play hard and good things will happen. 

2. PLAY FAIR

It is important to play with sportsmanship whether you are losing or winning. You should have respect for your opponent and play the game within the rules. Demonstrate fair play by following the instructions of the officials. The coach wants you to be competitive while conducting yourself with integrity. When the final whistle has blown know that you have displayed great character throughout the game.

3. PLAY TOGETHER

Be a team player. Every player can make and impact on the game. Understand that you are part of a team and the better you play as a unit the more successful you will become. Work together to get the best performance from each player. Seek out opportunities to put your teammates in a position to succeed. When teams pull together and show unity they can accomplish many more achievements.  

4. BE AWARE

Understand the formation and what your position requires of you on the field. You should always be aware. Know the location of the ball, and know what to do in various situations. Stay alert, be in tuned with the pace of the game. Stay sharp and recognize the trends in the game in order to help you make faster decisions. It is difficult remembering all the responsibilities you have in a game but be attentive and finds the strengths and weaknesses of all players.

5. SHOW SKILLS

You should incorporate the skills you obtained from training sessions into the game. Showing your command of new skills and adding to your existing game. Find ways throughout the game to show your tactical knowledge of the game. Be comfortable demonstrating new techniques.  

5 Soccer Player Resolutions

5 SOCCER PLAYER RESOLUTIONS

1. IMPROVE JUGGLING
Juggling is a skill that helps with your ball control. This is easy to work on because all you need is a ball and a little space. Touching the ball with the different parts of your body will enhance your first touch and receiving skills. Set a juggling goal daily and challenge yourself to try different moves.

2. IMPROVE DRIBBLING
Improving your dribbling will improve your overall game. Use different parts of your foot while engaged in a few foot skill drills. This will give you confidence when you have the ball. The more confident you are the more likely you are to make good decisions and that helps everyone.

3. IMPROVE FITNESS
Get in shape. Build up your stamina so you can have an impact on the game when everyone else slows down. Improve your quickness, strength and overall speed. This will give you the advantage and the opportunity to show your skills. Take the time improve and you will see the benefits during the season. 

4. IMPROVE PASSING
Every team mate loves a good passer. Improve your passing skills, this will create more opportunities for your team and possibly for you. This shows that you are aware of attacking opportunities for not only yourself but for your team as well. Sharpen your skills to become an impact player.

5. IMPROVE FINISHING
Score more goals. Improve your finishing by improving your touch near the goal, 1 touch finishing and finishing in the air. Be able to take advantage of every opportunity to finish. Work on your weaknesses and enhance your strengths. 

5 Soccer Coach Practice Essentials

5 SOCCER COACH PRACTICE ESSENTIALS 

1. CONES
Cones are simple and essential to a soccer practice. Have a number of cones that can be used in every phase of practice. Dynamic warm up, skills training, small sided games, expanded games and scrimmages. They clearly define the area where the activity will take place for the players.

Cones have different shapes, the most common are disc and traffic. Disc cones are round and short, traffic cones are taller and pointed. The contrast can be used to enhance a drill.

Have cones in a variety of colors. Adding different colored cones with specific meanings can present a new challenge to the same activity.

2. PINNIES
Pinnies help divide players at soccer practice. Have at least 2 sets of different colored pinnies when dividing players for skills training, small sided and expanded games.  

3. PUGG GOALS
Pugg goals are small and portable. They are a simple solution to provide goals in a small sided or expanded game. Pugg goals can be moved easily to set up the next activity. For more options during activities have at least 2 sets of pugg goals.

4. AGILITY LADDER
Agility ladders can be used for the dynamic warm up, fitness training and skills training.
Have multiple ladders to increase training options. They are small, moveable and store easily.

5. TENNIS BALLS
Tennis balls, yes this may seem unlikely but they can be used in skills training, fitness training, and warm ups. Tennis balls are small and easy to store. Have enough tennis balls so that each player has their own for drills.