How would you react to the fact that one thing that young players find truly hard is to use a straight leg to kick the ball? Both coach and the kids feel that this is by far the greatest trouble in way of coaching soccer drills. The player keeps overall balance and the leg to be used to kick the ball is bent at the knee. Both posture and strength to kick the ball comes out from below the knee.
In soccer practice, this is the starting position for almost all types of kicks. The rushing of the foot from below the knee creates an immense impact on the ball. This offers great amount of power to players for carrying out different types of kicks. However, what type of a kick would it be is determined by the precise contact of the foot on the ball.
For example; it could be chipped very high, driven low, swerved left, or swung right.
There are three basic passes in soccer namely, a side foot pass, the outside of the foot pass, and the instep drive. Let’s talk about them further.
The side foot pass: In teaching soccer, the simplest and the most commonly used pass is this. Normally, it is used to make short distance passes. Though it is a little slow and quite predictable during the game but is very easy for the kids to learn and execute accurately. The ball makes a contact on the inside of the foot and ankle, and the foot is turned outward.
In coaching soccer drills, guide the players to keep their bodies totally relaxed throughout the entire movement. This is by far the most critical rule applicable to all types of kicking actions. Teach the players to stiffen their ankle and the foot only when they need to get into contact with the ball.
After the players are confident in it’s execution, their action should appear comfortable, smooth, and natural.
Outside of the foot pass: This pass is a little complex to teach and learn but it must be learnt well as it’s the quickest, most accurate, and unpredictable pass. The ball gets in touch between the outside edge of the foot and the laces with the foot extended and turned inwards. With the use of a foot, the pass is transformed into a speedy throw for short distances.
Throughout the coaching drills session, the posture of the players should be relaxed.
The Instep Drive: Both the versions of instep drive i.e. the low driven version and the lofted version are brought into play to pass the ball over longer distances. Once the players are confident in executing it, make a “chip pass” or an “in swinging pass” by introducing some changes in it. As the approach of the instep drive is slightly angled and the non kicking foot is placed about 12 inches to the side of and behind the ball.
Here, the ball gets into contact in between the inside of the foot and the laces which is extended and very firm.
So, go ahead and teach your players these basic kicking techniques with variations to make the ball do slightly different things.
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Andre Botelho is a recognized authority in youth soccer coaching and has already helped thousands of youth coaches to dramatically improve their coaching skills. Learn how to explode your players’ skills and make training fun by downloading your free ebook at: Soccer Training Drills.
Tags: coaching drills, coaching soccer drills, Soccer practice, teaching soccer