The Truth About Free Soccer Training Drills

Let me show you how to control the ball in a manner so as to shoot or pass effectively and this skill can be perfected through the various free soccer training drills. This article talks in detail about two of the best known soccer drills, Shoulder To Shoulder and Shark in the Middle.

Shoulder To Shoulder is a drill that is intended for defensive as well as offensive players. The main aim of this drill 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 the works out between A and B is 10-15 yards.

B and the defensive player stand in a line shoulder to shoulder. B and the defensive player, standing next to each other, face away from the goal on the left side of the field. When the coach whistles, A throws the ball at the back of 2 players. B and the defensive player initiate and attempt to take control of the ball. B’s goal is to take shot on the goal while the defensive player’s objective is to turn with the ball and dribble it above the center line.

Soccer Drills

By involving players in coaching drills like Shoulder to Shoulder, players learn to win the ball despite being under immense pressure from the opposition.

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 those free soccer training drills that is aimed at developing attentiveness and self-control in players under high pressure situations.

Players assemble themselves in a large circle in the field. One player is selected 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.

When you blow the whistle, the player with the ball passes it to the other player along the circle. Then the second player passes the ball to another player he likes and so on.

Then the whistle is blown again signaling the start of the game. 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. Players try to make as many passes as possible.

This process goes on until the shark gets the ball.

When the ball is caught, the player that caused the ball to be intercepted becomes the new shark and the first shark joins others along the circle.

Shark in the Middle finds a place among those football drills that require a sharp thinking and an idea of the experience of the shark.

In the end, these free soccer training drills help players to build self-confidence to handle the ball while under pressure from an approaching opposition. If this information is useful then please subscribe to our youth soccer coaching community and enhance your knowledge on soccer coaching available in various media forms.

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.