Skills Are The Key Soccer is a sport unlike almost all others, as the feet are needed for technical skills more than the hands. A number of fundamental skills are needed to play soccer, with advanced players able to build on the fundamental skills for more complex and precise dribbling, passing and shooting. The skills of a soccer player also vary from one position to another, with a goalkeeper needing much different skills than a field player.

2. Ambush
Emphasis: Dribbling, passing, receiving, and tackling
Set-up:
Make a 20x30 yard grid. Place two players (hunters) on the outside of the grid in bright colored pennies.
The remaining players are inside the grid with a ball each.
Objective:
The hunters yell “ambush”, and enter the grid and try and kick the balls away from the dribblers and out
of the grid. If the ball is kicked out, those players remain in the game and can now combine passes with
the remaining players with balls. The game ends when the last ball is kicked out of the grid. Assign new
“hunters” after each game.
Progression:
1. Increase the number of hunters.
2. Make the grid smaller.
Coaching Points:
Dribble away from pressure.
Shield the ball if attacked.

3. Shadow Him
Emphasis: Dribbling
Set-up:
20 x 20 yard grid. 12-18 players. Players are in pairs with one ball.
Objective:
Player 1 and 2 start approximately 2 yards apart, one behind the other. The player in the
rear has the ball. Player in front must run around grid to try to lose his “shadow.” Player
with the ball is forced to dribble with close control and sped in order to keep up with his
lead man. When coach shouts “switch” player with ball tries to pass ball through his
partner’s legs. At this point the rolls are reversed.
Coaching Points:
Don’t kick ball, push it out in front of you.
Keep head up to detect movements of partner
Use all surfaces of the feet while dribbling and turning.

4. 4 v 4 Get in the Zone
Emphasis: Dribbling to beat an opponent.
Set-up:
20 x 30 yard grid. 8 players. Two sets of colored bibs. Cones are used to create a 5-yard
wide end-zone at each end of the grid. Flags are used to create two mini goals at each
end of the grid. Repeat set-up to accommodate entire team.
Objective:
Both teams compete for the ball. One point is awarded for successfully dribbling into the
opponents’ end-zone area, 3 points for successfully dribbling through either of the
opponents mini goal.
Progressions:
Award extra points for beating an opponent with a move prior to entering the end-zone
or mini goal.
Coaching Points:
Attack the defenders at speed.
Accelerate to get past defenders.
Utilize moves, dodging fakes etc.

5. 4 V 4 Knockoff
Emphasis: Passing, receiving, dribbling, turning, mobility
Set-up:
Create a 35x35 yard grid. Two teams of 4-6 players are positioned inside the playing area. Randomly place 5-7
cones inside the grid. Place extra balls around the perimeter of the grid.
Objective:
Both teams attempt to maintain possession and knock over the cones while doing so. The opposing team
tries to deny possession and protects the cones. The team that knocks over the most cones wins the game.
Progression:
· Limit the number of touches.
· Decrease the size of the grid.
Coaching Points:
Create supporting angles.
Use the inside of the foot to pass accurately.
Look to combine and play the way you face.

6. One-Touch Accuracy and Weight
Emphasis: Executing one-touch passes with the correct accuracy and weight.
Set-up:
15 x 15 yard grid. Five players per group with one player designated as server.
Flags are placed to create a target area at one end of the grid as shown.
Players begin at the opposite end of the grid. A supply of balls is placed next to the server.
Objective:
The first player in line must run forward, receive a pass from the server and one-touch the ball towards
the target area. Points are awarded if the ball comes to rest inside the target area. After each attempt the
next player in line repeats the sequence. Each player must quickly retrieve their ball; return it to the server
before joining the back of the line. Play is continuous for a predetermined period of time. Switch the
server after each round of play.
Progressions:
(1) Introduce a competition format – first player or group to 5 points wins.
Coaching Points:
Lock the ankle with the toe slightly pointed up.
Non-kicking foot must be placed in line with the target.
Redirect the ball towards the target area.
Follow through and adjust the weight as necessary.

7. Weight the Pass
Emphasis: Executing passes with the correct weight.
Set-up:
10 x 20 yard grid. 3-4 players per grid.
One ball for each player. Cones are placed to create a 3 x 3 yard target area at one end of the grid as shown.
Objective:
Players must attempt to pass their ball with the correct weight into the target area. Points are awarded for
each pass that comes to rest in the target area. Players must pass their ball from behind the line and must
use the inside of their foot. Players must quickly get their ball to continue the sequence. Play is for a
designated period of time or for a predetermined number of goals.
Progressions:
(1) Introduce a competition format – first team to 15 points wins.
Coaching Points:
Lock the ankle with the toe slightly pointed up.
Non-kicking foot must be placed in line with the target.
Follow through and adjust the weight as necessary.

8. 1V1 To Goal
Emphasis: Finishing, receiving, defending
Set-up: Use the penalty area and a regulation size goal.
A group of defenders stand next to one of the posts with a group of balls.
The attackers stand in line just on the side of the D on top of the penalty box.
The goalkeeper is in goal.
Objective:
The first defender in line passes it to the first attacker in line at the top of the penalty area. As the ball
travels, the defender closes down the space and the attacker goes and meets the ball. The attacker has five
seconds to score, and the defender prevents a shot on goal. After the goalkeeper has made a save or the
ball travels outside the penalty area, the play is over and the next one begins.
Progression:
5. The defender can chip or drive the ball to the attacker.
6. A goal must be scored in three seconds or less.
Coaching Points:
The defender must force the attacker to one side.
The goalkeeper must direct the defender.
The attacker must get a shot off quickly.

9. Team Hunters
Emphasis: Shooting, passing
Set-up:
Make a 40x50 yard grid. Divide your team up into pairs. Designate one team as the “hunters” and give them a ball.
All remaining pairs are without a ball. The pairs without a ball, as well as the “hunters”, must hold hands. The
coach should have a group of balls and be ready to distribute the balls to the “hunters” to help facilitate the
exercise.
Objective:
The “hunters” must dribble the ball around the grid and shoot the ball below knee level at the other pairs.
If the pair is struck, they grab a ball from the coach and become “hunters” as well. The last team
remaining wins. Switch the role of the “hunter” and play again.
Progression:
· Decrease the size of the grid.
· Play with groups of three.
Coaching Points:
Use the inside of the foot to shoot for accuracy.
Use the laces to strike the ball with pace.

10. Competitive Team Scoring
Emphasis: Striking shots with power and accuracy
Set-up:
36 x 44 yards (two 18-yard boxes). Players are divided into two groups and positioned as shown. Goalkeepers are
in each goal. A supply of balls is placed next to each group of players. Target players (A) are positioned on the 18-
yard line facing their teammates.
Objective:
The first player in line (B) must pass to target (A). Target (A) must lay the ball off for (B) to run forward
to shoot. Player (B) then returns to the back of the line. The next player in line repeats the sequence. The
sequence is continuous for both teams (red and yellow). The team with the most goals after the designated
period of time wins the game. Switch the targets after each round of play.
Progression:
1. No preparation touch – all first time shots.
Coaching Points:
Strike the ball with the laces.
Accuracy before power on all shots.
The lay off from the target player must be weighted correctly.
Passes in to the target player must be accurate.

11. Spin and Shoot
Emphasis: Turning quickly to shoot on goal.
Set-up:
10 x 20 yard grid. Five players plus a goalkeeper per grid. Flags are used to create a goal at one end of the grid.
Players are positioned at the opposite end of the grid as shown. A cone is placed 4 yards from the group of players.
A supply of balls is placed next to the players.
Objective:
Player (A) begins at the cone as shown. The cone acts as a stationary defender. Player (A) receives a
pass from (B). Player (A) must spin around the cone with one touch and shoot on the next touch. Player
· jogs to the cone to receive a pass from (C) to repeat the sequence. Player (A) joins the back of the
line. Play is continuous for a designated period of time. Rotate the goalkeeper often to avoid fatigue.
Progression:
1. Players must use a different surface of the foot to turn each time – inside, outside etc.
Coaching Points:
Strike the ball with the laces.
Strike through the ball – land on the kicking foot.
Spin around the cone quickly.
Accuracy before power.
Non-kicking foot must be in line with the target.

12. 1 v 1 Stand Off
Emphasis: Dribbling, shooting and attacking play.
Set-up:
10 x 25 yard grid with flags to create mini goals at each end. Four players per grid, two
acting as goalkeepers, two as field players. Repeat set-up to accommodate entire team.
Objective:
Players compete in a 1 v 1 battle for possession of the ball. The goalkeeper of the player
in possession can come out of the goal to support his teammate. Goalkeepers cannot
score. After 2-3 minutes rotate the players so that the goalkeepers get a chance to act as
field players.
Progressions:
Goalkeepers can score on a first time shot.
Coaching Points:
Shoot early and often.
Encourage attacker to take chances in 1 v 1 situations close to goal.
Changes of speed and direction to beat defender.

13. Author Books
Crossing and finishing in soccer Practical eBook
Coaching Methods In Soccer By Wayne Harrison
How to improve your soccer team players
Specific Soccer Fitness Training For Players Positions
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