Some
are born with talent… but talent isn’t enough.
Practice makes perfect,
long painful runs, endless hours with a ball.
These are what ultimately
set you apart, you may be good but it takes training to be
great!
The more technical skills a player has, the better he or she
is able to solve any problem situation. Like all top
players, every youngster should always try in various
situations to use techniques that will achieve the best
possible results, so that tactical insight develops to the
fullest possible extent.
From the first training session, positive habits, such as a
sporting attitude, self- discipline, independence, and
initiative should be encouraged. The promotion of these can
have a great influence on young players. Even those who are
not especially gifted will practice with a ball on their own
or with a friend for long periods as long as they are
encouraged and stimulated in the beginning. The more
successful they are with the ball, the more involved they
become with soccer. You will soon see their general
self-confidence improve as well.
Obviously, some youngsters will master techniques faster
than others. However, those who are not so gifted, and who
have to practice more, will develop the ability to practice
regularly. Anyone who follows this idea of individual self
improvement can go along way in soccer and gain a great deal
of enjoyment and satisfaction in playing the most popular
sport in the world.
The future of soccer depends on imaginative and effective
play. In order to produce exciting, skillful players, who
are attack minded, skills and attitudes must be learned at a
young age through constant repetition. There are essentially
four stages to developing outstanding soccer performance,
(1) learning all aspects of ball control, (2) becoming as
effective and as skillful as possible in the many different
one-on-one situations, (3) beating opponents either
individually or with the help of other players in order to
create and score more goals, and last but not least, (4)
finishing on goal.
Ball Feeling: Most of the world’s greatest players
developed their skills as children, by constantly playing
soccer and by being in contact with the ball for hours at a
time. They have acquired the same feeling in their feet as
successful basketball players have, in their hands, for a
basketball, and they acquired this feeling through endless
hours of training with a ball. These solid skills, “ball
feeling,” can only be acquired through repeatedly touching
the ball. A few touches each practice session or in games is
not enough to produce ball feeling and confidence with a
ball.
Good coordination in soccer, as in other sports, is very
important. Here, the many different practices with a ball
are divided into two categories. The first is developing a “
feeling” for the ball at the earliest possible age. The
second consists of those “movements” with the ball used by
top professional athletes in real match situations against
opposition. These exercises are developed for very young
players and should be introduced as early as possible.
Tactics-based methods and a primary focus on passing, at the
expense of individual development in these youngsters, will
stagnate the growth of the individual. When these skills are
fully developed and combination play is introduced the
ability to hang on to the ball in pressure situations, will
greatly contribute to the overall development of the team
unit. Most of the “ball feeling” exercises are suitable for
young players to practice on their own, a fun kind of
homework. The first steps will, of course be difficult but,
with encouragement and practice, young players will improve
and acquire a natural feel for the ball. Then, the more
skillful they become, the more fun they will derive from the
game.
Constant repetition is the key to ball control. Using both
feet is essential. Young players have tremendous energy and
a thirst for knowledge. As long as the coach is imaginative
and encouraging, these repetitive exercises will be the key
to improvement. The designated skills are to be done slowly
at the start and then each exercise or movement is gradually
brought up to speed.
One-On-One Development: The “ moves” of the great
players of soccer form the basis of all the initial
exercises. All the moves have one thing in common; they are
used to beat players one-on-one. In one-on-one situations,
good dribbling skills, and ball control are essential, if
effective attacking players are to be produced. These moves
are not only useful in game situations, they also improve
general body coordination and flexibility; this can also
help prevent injuries. All the moves should be learned with
limited opposition, so repetition is uninterrupted. Then
opposition is gradually increased until there is full
pressure on the player with the ball.
There are many moves, and young players will soon select
their favorites. It is essential, however, that young
players practice all of the skills that they have learned
and that they are encouraged to do it in small match
situations. Ultimately, skills must be used under one
hundred percent pressure to be successful.
Technical skills are easier to teach to players under the
age of ten. After this age, it becomes progressively more
difficult to teach what should be done spontaneously in
games. Young players throw caution to the wind, while older
players are largely influenced by what is safe or not.
One-on-one play is possibly the least practiced skill in
soccer, strange, when it is the skill most possessed by all
of the world’s best players. Not only is it wonderful to
watch a player outwit an opponent with skillful play, but it
is also a way of creating more space and time for the player
and the team.
Getting possession of the ball and keeping it is an
important part of soccer. Players with good ball-control and
dribbling skills have the ability to keep possession of the
ball and to play attractive, exciting, attacking soccer. The
emphasis on technique is for all players; defenders also
will improve by practicing the very skills that they will
find themselves defending against. They will appreciate what
needs to be done to defend against skillful players. They
will also learn that if they become more skillful with the
ball, they too, will contribute to keeping possession and
playing attacking soccer.
Combination Play: Once individual players have
learned the individual moves, they are encouraged to combine
with teammates to beat opponents. One two’s and overlaps are
taught. Above all, young players appreciate that individual
moves give them an option, either beating opponents
individually or in combination with teammates. With these
options they will become more valuable to the team. Many
exercises for practicing combination play include, for
example, three against one, four against two, or five
against three, so young players have a clear picture of the
value of combining with each other. Once ball feeling is
acquired, by practicing the moves and ball exercises, you
will see that players kicking, passing, and receiving
abilities will improve dramatically. Receiving the ball well
is crucial to creating more time and space.
Creating Chances and Finishing: Once players become
more skillful, especially in one-on-one situations, more
goal scoring chances will be created. Certainly, the higher
the level a player reaches, the less time and space will be
available. The better control, the more goal scoring chances
there will be.
Heading: Heading of the ball is not recommended age
10 and younger. Once players are over ten years of age,
heading exercises can be introduced. Again, repetition is
important. In most of the heading exercises, jumping and
bounding are key. Not only do they improve the power and
accuracy of the heading, but also they have the added
benefit of improving the acceleration of young players.
Shooting: Repetition training is essential to improve
shooting. At first, accuracy is all-important. Being able to
shoot with both the right and left foot will be made easier
by the earlier ball feeling exercises. Volleys, half
volleys, ground shots…one thing is certain young players
love nothing more than shooting on goal. Can you imagine
playing basketball without working on lay ups or shooting?
Just as in basketball shooting needs to be worked on in
every session during your soccer training.
Games: Small sided games, three on three or four on
four are essential for player development. The games can be
conditional, for example; before a shot on goal there must
be a move or an overlap, or a certain number of passes.
Restrictions should have age and skill considerations.
Young players should be encouraged to be creative;
playing with flair and initiative, is essential for the
developmental growth in these youngsters. These qualities
are not only important in soccer but in society as a whole.
Developing Technique, The Young Soccer Player Printable Version
