There are some free soccer training drills using which you can master the art of passing and shooting as well as controlling the ball. This article talks in detail about two of the best known soccer drills, Shoulder To Shoulder and Shark in the Middle.
Shoulder To Shoulder drill is meant for offensive and defensive players. The main goal of this exercise is to teach offensive player to practice fast shooting under pressure and let the defensive players practice clearing the ball.
This drill utilizes 3 players in each drill group. The distance that lies between A and B is 10-15 yards apart.
B and the defensive player make a line shoulder to shoulder. B and the defensive player, standing along with each other, face away from the goal on the left side of the field. At the whistle of the coach, A throws the ball behind the other 2 players. B and the defensive player attempt to take control of the ball. B’s objective is to make a shot on goal while the defensive player’s aim is to turn with the ball and dribble it above the center line.
By actively choosing coaching drills like Shoulder to Shoulder, players learn to win the ball despite being under immense pressure from an opposing player.
Shark in the Middle is a funny game that the team can play anytime during the practice and its duration can be shortened or increased as per the requirements. This is one of several free soccer training drills that aims to make the players more attentive and in control in high-pressure games.
Players form a large circle in the field. A player is chosen to be the Shark and stands in the center of the circle. There is only one ball in it and given to a person who stands in the circle.
On your whistle the player with the ball passes the ball to any other player alongside the circle. Then the second player passes the ball to another player he likes and so on.
Then you blow the whistle again and it means that the game should start. The sole purpose of the game is to keep the ball away from the shark. The player may choose to pass the ball to anyone he wishes to, be it a teammate right next to him or a teammate far away. The players attempt to make as many passes as they can.
This goes on till the time the shark gets the ball.
When the ball is possessed, the player that caused the ball to be intercepted goes on to become the new shark and the first shark goes along the circle.
Shark in the Middle is one of those football drills that call for quick thinking and the understanding of how sharks think.
To conclude, these free soccer training drills help players to build self-confidence to handle the ball while under pressure from an imminent attack. If you want more information and knowledge please subscribe to our youth soccer coaching community where a lot of learning resources are available.
Andre Botelho is a recognized expert in youth soccer coaching. He influences well over 35,000 youth coaches each year with his unique coaching philosophy, and makes it really easy to explode your players’ skills and make training more fun in record time. To download your free youth soccer coaching guide visit: Free soccer training drills.
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