Soccer Drills For Parents

Soccer Drill: How To Take A Penalty Kick

Bradley P. White — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:34:13 +0000

Penalty kicks in soccer are an easy goal, right? Much like the free throw in a basketball game it seems like there is no reason why any player should miss a chance to place the ball in the back of the net from a position that can be practiced over and over again. You know the distance, the goal size, and you can practice the placement repeatedly. But ahh the pressure of the game. All eyes on you, depending on you to place the ball in the back of the net. What could possibly go wrong?

Well the good news is that there is no right or wrong way to take a penalty kick. What you should do is watch the video below to get a sense of the many techniques. Generally it is best to pick a side before you approach the ball. You can also go for power straight up the middle of the goal. You can even get fancy and use different parts of the foot to strike the ball. Take care in not letting your eyes betray which side of the goal you are going to aim for. Remember the goalie is watching and he or she has a 50% chance of guessing which side you are aiming for. So practice going low or high to increase your success rate.

Being an Effective Keeper in Soccer

GuestPoster — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:44:05 +0000

Being an effective keeper when playing soccer is a process, but it is one that is well worth pursuing. Those players that make a conscious effort to improve at the position should find that they are able to function more effectively within the team dynamic.

Being a good keeper requires the person to know their place on the field, and the importance of their role whether playing street soccer or on the field. These participants should do everything that they can to benefit the efforts of their team, while being able to hold their own at the same time.

Keepers are responsible for guarding the goal in soccer. These players are directly responsible for protecting the goal, and they are the last line of defense against those that would try to score points.

The keeper is uniquely able to use any part of their body in order to prevent goal attempts from being made. This ability is unique among all of the participants on the field, and gives the keeper a distinct advantage as it pertains to their role.

The player is usually found in the crease in front of the goal. This crease is clearly marked off, extending a good way in front of the goal.

Keeper stay in this position and rove around in it, because it grants them mobility and the option to confront attackers before they have the ability to take a shot. That being said, the player is actually not restricted in any way to the goal.

Another interesting aspect of this position is that the players actually has the ability to traverse any part of the field. While there are distinct advantages and disadvantages to doing so, the generally accepted rule is that the participant will stay near the goal, unless it is a special situation.

These situations include times where the team is overpowering the other team and it is a rout, or there may be times of desperation. These are times where the offense needs another player so badly that the team is willing to risk leaving the goal open and exposed.

Keepers need to understand how to best play defense, and what they are to do when they have access to the ball. The defenders on the line are there to make sure that the other team does not close the gap, but the person guarding the goal will need to be vigilant in case that line of defense fails.

These players have many options for dealing with the ball when it is kicked their way. For example, a shot that the person can place themselves directly in front of can be caught by the participant.

Likewise, shots that are found on the ground can be quickly grabbed by the player, or booted away. The way that the participant deals with each shot it up to them, but there are certain elements at work that make some approaches work better than others.

When the ball is caught, the participant can either roll the ball, drop kick it, or throw it out to other players on their team. The action that is taken will depend on who is open, and how far away they are and how well they are being guarded.

The player also has the option to do all of these things if someone on the other team is going to take a shot. The person can either grab the ball up or kick it away, and then clear it to someone else down the field.

Participants that are in this position should be aggressive, and they need to use their bodies in a very dynamic way that is unique to that position. As such, it takes a certain mentality and dedication to do this role well, because of the effort that goes into it.

Those that understand their role and how to maximize it will benefit their team and help them to victory. Such a role is truly invaluable on the field and prevents the other team from scoring any of the points needed to win.

Being an effective keeper when playing soccer requires the player to assume a dedicated role and stick to it to benefit the effort of their team. Good keepers know their role and will do everything that they can to enhance it.

Learning to Play Street Soccer Well

Soccer Drill: How To Do A Throw In

Bradley P. White — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:13:35 +0000

I play soccer in a men’s over 30 league during the winter. You would think that we all would know the proper technique to do a throw in right? After all we are parents, and coaches of youth soccer players. We TEACH the game right? Well sometimes you get in a hurry or you lift that foot and the referee will nail you! So lets both work together and watch this great video. Remember when doing a proper throw in to keep your feet on ground, hands over head, square up with direction you are throwing the ball. The stronger you get the farther you will be able to throw the ball. But don’t worry so much about making that long ball throw that you get called by the ref for an improper throw in!

Soccer Drill: Chest Trap

Bradley P. White — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:19:23 +0000

The chest trap soccer drill is one of the easiest traps to practice with a partner or alone. The chest has a large surface area to absorb the force of a soccer ball pass or chip to you. You can arch your back to absorb the shock of the ball to get it to drop at your feet ready for a pass or dribbling. You can also experiment with trapping the soccer ball by bringing your chest forward to bring the ball down faster to the soccer field.

Soccer Drill: How To Trap The Soccer Ball

Bradley P. White — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:15:05 +0000

You have to be able to control a pass that comes from your soccer teammate in order to advance the ball into scoring position. One of the most basic soccer drills for receiving the soccer ball is using the inside of the foot to trap soccer ball with inside of foot. You want to use the technique of having very “soft” feet to absorb the force of the pass. Use the side of your foot to trap the ball against the ground. The controlling touch will allow you to make your next pass or advance the ball by dribbling. You can also practice trapping the soccer ball with the outside of the foot. Practice using different parts of your foot to trap the soccer ball and experiment with ways to change the direction of the ball as you receive it to maintain possession of the soccer ball.

Soccer Drill: The Side Foot Pass

Bradley P. White — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:04:28 +0000

Every child (and adults!) fantasy about scoring a goal on the soccer field usually has an image of striking a blistering shot to the upper 90 corner of the goal as the stadium crowd cheers your name in glory! But keep in mind that not all shots on goal, let alone passes on the pitch have to be full on hard shots. You can often get just as much power and even more accuracy using the side foot pass. The side foot pass, or shot, uses the inside of the foot to drive through the center of the ball, and follow through with your leg. When done correctly this soccer drill technique should keep the ball on the ground with different applications of force.

Abby Wambach Named AP Female Athlete of the Year 2011

Bradley P. White — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:17:38 +0000

U.S. Women’s National Team forward Abby Wambach was named the Associated Press 2011 Female Athlete of the Year. Abby’s leadership on and off the field put the Americans in World Cup championship. Hope Solo, U.S. Women’s National Team Goalie was voted a close second in the annual female athlete of the year honor. The award is voted on my members of the Associated Press. This is the first time that a soccer player, male or female has been awarded such an honor in the United States since the inception in 1931.

I will never forget watching the games of the Women’s National team that lead up to the World Cup match. The pride that the team has brought US Soccer is amazing. So many players and coaches have invested time in the future of soccer in the United States.

Share this news with your youth soccer player today and grow the passion for the beautiful game.

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Soccer Drill: How To Kick A Soccer Ball

Bradley P. White — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:29:31 +0000

This short video gives you tips about how to perform a basic driven pass using your right foot. It is important that you have the fundamental technique to develop true power when necessary passing or shooting the soccer ball. You want to square your shoulders at your target and plant with left foot beside ball. You will then drive your right foot toe pointed down using the strings on the top of the foot through the center of the ball. Contact should feel like you have hit the sweet spot on the ball and the ball should follow a path low to the ground if struck correctly.

What other soccer drills would you like to see a video for? Leave a comment below.

Soccer Drills: Passing Drill Basics

Bradley P. White — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 02:22:29 +0000

It doesn’t matter if your a U8 player or a mens open division player (speaking from experience) the basic passing skill can make or break your soccer team’s chances for victory. Passing the soccer ball seems like such a simple skill that it can be overlooked by players and coaches. The proper technique will give you the proper force, speed, and direction of the ball as it leaves your foot. Lets review a the basic soccer passing drill with the instep of the foot between two players. If you don’t have a partner to practice with, you may be able to use a brick wall or a backboard to practice on your own.

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Soccer Drills for Kids: Get Back To The Basics

Bradley P. White — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:37:03 +0000

I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of great players and soccer coaches. One of the most profound lessons has come from a former player on the Iraq National team. He that told me the most important thing that American players can do to improve their game is to improve their foot skills.

Foot skills? That’s it? He said, “yes.”

You see I often get consumed during a soccer practice trying to teach strategy or the “bigger picture.” He recommended that I just keep it simple. I want my kids to be the best they can be and I often get fooled into thinking that means they need to be the best at throw ins or corner kicks or whatever.

But what they really need to elevate their game is to have excellent foot skills. The rest will come.

Check out this video that all of our American youth soccer players should aspire to master.

Soccer Drills For Parents

Soccer Drill: How To Take A Penalty Kick

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Being an Effective Keeper in Soccer

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Soccer Drill: How To Do A Throw In

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Soccer Drill: Chest Trap

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Soccer Drill: How To Trap The Soccer Ball

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Soccer Drill: The Side Foot Pass

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Abby Wambach Named AP Female Athlete of the Year 2011

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Soccer Drill: How To Kick A Soccer Ball

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Soccer Drills: Passing Drill Basics

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Soccer Drills for Kids: Get Back To The Basics

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