USSoccerPlayers

Small-Sided Drills: The Keeper

USYSA's rules for each level of small-sided play (see What are the rules for each level of small-sided play?) state that no goalkeeper should be used in 3v3 and 4v4 small-sided games. Once the numbers increase to 6v6 or 7v7, it is important to start incorporating the role of the goalkeeper into the soccer practice and game. Once the players hit the 8 v 8 level, the goalkeeper is required and it is a good idea for the players to have already had some exposure to the position beforehand.

At young ages, soccer experts advise avoiding the "isolation" of the goalkeeper. Not only does this isolation create non-game-like situations, but it just isn't as much fun for a player to work one-on-one with an adult for most of practice while the other players are running around together on the field.

Goalkeeper Skills: Keep Rolling Along

There are three ways for a goalkeeper to distribute the ball: punting, throwing or rolling.  Today, let’s concentrate on the one used for short distances and accuracy: rolling.

This will not be the hardest skill to master, but the key is deciding when to use it and when to create distance between yourself and the ball. As a goalkeeper, you have an important decision as to how your team starts its attack.

The Chest Trap

The chest trap is one of four primary ways to trap a soccer ball (the other ways are the head trap, the thigh trap, and the foot trap). Trapping refers to the process of stopping or slowing a ball that has traveled from one player to another via a pass. If a player is using a chest trap to control the pass, presumably the ball has come to them through the air. Generally, air balls are best controlled with one of three traps: the head trap, the thigh trap, or the chest trap.

If a player elects to use a chest trap to slow the air ball, they should follow the guiding principle behind all trapping techniques: moving to meet the ball, not letting the ball come to meet them. This can be one of the hardest details to teach players, especially young players. But if a player gets in the habit of trapping a ball only while standing still, they will be less and less able to stop the ball while moving over time. This is why all trapping drills should be designed to mimic game time situations and pacing, and should not be done while standing still.

The Mental Game

What makes a strong soccer player? A knowledgeable soccer fan may choose among a variety of appropriate answers. Good foot skills. Aggression. Speed. Athleticism. Although all of these physical abilities strengthen a player’s performance on the field, many players and coaches pay little attention to the importance of the mental aspects of the game.

What are the mental components of playing soccer, and why is it important to investigate a player’s mental capacities? Primarily, actions on the field, during games and practice, are direct results of players’ motivation, attention and confidence. Without determination and the ability to focus, the National Team players would never have gotten to where they are today. Every learning experience, every motion and every moment of contact with the ball begins with the mind. A player’s mental game facilitates development and ultimately, the enjoyment of the game.

Teaching Soccer

As a youth coach, the first thing to teach your newest players is the rules and basic concepts of the game. If you are dealing with a whole team made up of brand-new players, you will want to dedicate the opening practice to learning the basic rules. With very young players (U-6), you will want to avoid lecturing to them whenever possible.

At this age, kids retain more by doing then by listening, and their attention spans are so short, it can hinder more than help to try to lecture to them for any period of time. Just ask any kindergarten teacher.

Youth Soccer Organization

The US Youth Soccer Association provides definitions for different levels of team play in the world of youth soccer. Today's growing soccer world now includes more than just the two basic levels of teams (recreational and travel teams). (As a side note, the words 'recreational' and 'house' typically refer to the same type of team; and, the words 'club,' 'travel,' or 'select' refer to the same type of team as well. The difference between the two is that a travel team is a more competitive team that travels to play other teams of its level).

The Volley

In soccer, the "volley" usually refers to a type of kick that is taken when the ball is in the air. Generally, a player will take a volley when the ball is coming at them via an air ball. Instead of trapping the ball and then passing or dribbling it, the player will perform a trap and pass (or shot) in one movement. A volley shot can be quite effective as it can catch the goalkeeper off guard.

The kick id taken with the top of the foot or the upper instep of the foot. When the ball arrives, the player will balance it and also use the momentum of the previous pass to send the ball in a new direction. Basically, the player will receive the ball with the top of the foot while the knee is bent and the foot is at at an acute angle with the thigh. Then, the player will move his leg forward, as in readying to take a shot, keeping the ball balanced on the foot. The momentum of the ball will help the player's volley pass or shot retain power.

Juggling

Did you know in 1995 that a player from the Ukraine juggled a ball for over 24 hours straight to set a world record? It’s a pretty amazing feat, but it shows what you can do when you have complete mastery of controlling a soccer ball (and a lot of free time).

Odds are that you will never have to dribble (or do anything else) for 24 hours straight, especially since soccer matches only last 90 minutes. What about dribbling for 24 seconds? Odds are that would not happen either in a game before being fouled, but if you can do that, it means when the ball comes to you from any direction and at any speed that you will be able to get the ball under control quickly. It also means you know what you are going to do with the ball. You will be able to project where you are going to be kick, chest, or head the ball next.

The Ball

Most sporting good stores or soccer specific stores offer balls made by different companies. The balls can differ in materials, method of construction, and overall strength. Some balls may be better suited to practice than games, some balls are ideal for indoor soccer, and there are specialty or ‘mini’ balls as well that can also be helpful in practice.

Representatives from soccer's international governing body, FIFA, regularly inspect and rate the highest quality soccer balls on the market. Basically, if balls meet certain requirements, they are marked with the official FIFA Inspected or FIFA Approved seal, which makes them acceptable for international and domestic play in the six major world confederations.

How To Run A Passing Drill

One of the most difficult things for any coach is transferring training exercises to the actual run of play. Unless your intent is to work on conditioning, what you teach your players has to matter in the game.

No one who has tried to coach soccer would fall for the line that it's basically a simple game with a few elements. It's not, and it can easily become as complicated as the volumes of play books and information associated with gridiron football.

So how does a coach do his or her job?

The Setup: Steve Cherundolo

Scouting Cherundolo

The key to Steve's game is endurance and an understanding of the importance of his position.  As a right back, he knows what is expected of him, how games are likely to develop, and - perhaps most importantly - what not to do. 

Even at National Team level, it is very easy for a defender to push up too far, try the tricky run, and leave his defense short if the play breaks the other way.  Cherundolo is a confident stop on the right side.

How To Be Like Steve

Understanding.  Watch what Steve does on the wing and when he chooses to step in and help out in the box.  See how far he will man mark before letting up and relying on the central defenders and the keeper to do their job.  As a defender, Steve knows that some times the best move is to give enough space to force the low percentage pass, rather than creating an unexpected opportunity for the attack.

For any player, this means watching the other team, knowing how plays normally develops, and putting yourself in position to make the difference.

Does your mark tend to go in a certain direction?

Is he or she likely to resort to the same move over and over?

What can you do to slow the play down? 

Teammates

With some soccer teams having 15 or more players, it is natural that everyone may not always get along. However, in most cases, it is advised that you try and work things out with your teammates for the good of the team.

First, you should try to identify the problem with your teammate or teammates so that you have a better idea of how you may be able to fix the problem. To start, you should identify whether you have an "on-field" or an "off-field" problem.

The Setup: Landon Donovan

Scouting Landon Donovan

First off, Landon Donovan is not the typical target forward, but he has more goals than anybody in the history of the US National Team. How? He puts himself in positions to be the difference. Landon knows going in that he's never going to be the biggest player on the field, but that doesn't mean he can't be the best. His speed and vision both on and off the ball give him an advantage that is hard to defend. Add in his skill on either end of set plays, and he's a constant threat.

How To Be Like Landon

Vision. Though it can be hard to see on television, look at where Landon enters the picture with his attacking runs. He doesn't cause a lot of offside calls, timing where he is and relying on his teammates to get the ball to him. He doesn't obsess over 1v1 battles, and will adjust his game when necessary.

For a young player, this means knowing the other players on your team.

What are they likely to do under pressure?

Where are they passing the ball?

Where should you be?

Watch a lot of soccer in person and on television. See who is the Landon Donovan type player on a team, and watch what he or she does over the course of the game.

Encouraging Shooting

Players who hesitate to shoot on goal even when it appears that they have a clear shot are obviously holding onto the ball too long. There are many drills that can help forwards and midfielders to take more shots on goal even if it doesn't look like they have a clear shot. A common misconception that many players have is that they can only take that "perfect shot," and many will wait for that very rare moment when they have a perfect angle and a perfect touch on the ball. Unfortunately, if all players waited to score until the perfect moment, we'd end up with a lot of scoreless games ...

The Setup: Oguchi Onyewu

Scouting Onyewu

Playing with his size and his skill in the air, Oguchi is unafraid to stand at the top of the box and take on the other team's best attacker with the game on the line. It's that fearlessness that keeps him in the starting eleven for club and country. Onyewu will step in against anybody, and rarely lets the referee determine how he plays his game. He is also one of the primary defensive threats against set pieces and corners.

How To Be Like Oguchi

Intimidation. Built like he plays the other kind of football, Oguchi puts in the time in the weight room knowing it adds to his physical game. He's the last player an opposing forward will be looking to push around for space in the box. He adds to that by letting other players know where he is and how much they'll need to be on their game to beat him.

For an older player, Oguchi's game teaches one of the other parts of sports. He brings to his game a psychological aspect that works against the confidence of other players. Though they might have put in just as much work, Oguchi can stare them out of the game.

Are you prepared for the mental as well as the physical aspect of soccer?

Can you draw on your confidence to help your game and your team?

Will you match your drive to your ambition and play your game?

Starting Young

It’s never too early to start your child playing soccer if he or she wants to play and isn’t hampered by a medical condition. Most children of six years and under are more than willing to try a new sport or activity. Every new task they undertake at this age seems exciting and encompassing. Yet, there are some characteristics of under-six children that parents and coaches must keep in mind when watching the kids play.

Young players with older siblings involved in soccer may be more aware of certain aspects of soccer and it may be easier for them to pick up on certain rules or techniques. Yet, as with any activity, even children of the same ages can be at different development levels.

Youth Coach: Goalkeeper

As a parent or coach, even if you claim to know absolutely nothing about the game of soccer, more often than not, you will concede that you know one obvious and important rule -- no hands allowed.  Players must learn to control the ball with their feet (and other parts of their body, if they are so inclined) in order to attack the opponent’s goal and ultimately score.  With a few basic helpful hints, any parents or first-time coach can practice foot skills with a young team.

Evaluating Players

One of the most difficult jobs as a coach is to figure out which players would make the best additions to your team. Tryouts or player evaluations typically take place in one of the following scenarios:

Club Tryouts (already existing team)
Here, you are adding a set number of players to an already existing team. You know already where you are weak and where you are strong at certain positions. Having your basic team already in place is very helpful for a coach holding a tryout. You can even design tryout drills to mimic on-field situations that your team has trouble with and see how the potential players react to the situation and to their potential teammates. It is always helpful to explain to the potential players what position you are looking to fill and what you need to see from them.

Youth Coach: Involving Parents

As a coach, you may be in one of two positions-- either you need more help from your parents to run your practice, or you have a lot of parents attending practice who want to help, and you don't quite know what to do with them.

If you fall into the first category (needing more parent help) it is advisable to use your assistant coach and/or team mom as your 'recruiters,' because you may be busy enough with drills, game day preparation, etc.

Send a message through your team "phone tree" that you are looking for some able-bodied parents to help you out at practice (be careful not to say you are looking for more "assistant coaches," because you don't know everyone's experience level) and see if you get any volunteers.

Teaching Penalty Kicks

Penalty kick situations will be avoided at most young ages, as putting the players in a win-or-lose individual situation can be too difficult. When your league begins implementing the penalty kick rules, it is time to teach the technique to your players.