I have six parts to my practices.
1) Dribbling and shooting, our warm-up.
I set up two rows of cones with a goal on each end. The players dribble through the cones and shoot at the goals. For dribbling we do many variations: a) any method, b) right foot only, c) left foot only, d) outside of feet only, e) brushing only, f) backwards, g) over the ball, etc… The key point in dribbling is keeping the ball close. The key point in shooting is looking at your target first before looking down at the ball.
2) Moves
Next I teach 1v1 moves by having them all stand in a line facing me, dribbling across the field and showing the move. I’ve already posted good 1v1 moves, but here are some warm-ups we do.
3) Drills
Here’s where we do simple drills, which I’ll go into more detail in the next post. Some of my favorites are gauntlet, obstacle courses, learning 3v3 plays, and running/throwing/dribbling.
4) 1v1
I make a very small field (like 20 yds x 20 yds), with goals. I throw in a ball, and the players, standing on either side of me, rush in and begin play. The focus is on seeing moves and good defending (no stabbing, but waiting for the player and ball to separate before attacking).
5) Scrimmage, Strategies or Games
Most of the time it is just a 3v3 soccer scrimmage. Before a tournament we focus on plays. For fun days, to change it up, I bring soccer tennis or we play sand soccer (playing on one side of a beach volleyball court), or other games I’ll go into more detail in another post.
6) Sprints - a few sprints after practice. Sometimes I teach proper running techniques, or they wear a harness and pull a weight while running.
As you can tell, my practices can run long, but I keep it fun by bringing many devices that keep practice interesting; the most important of these being goals, backstops and sometimes painting the field.
Having real goals instead of cones or orange flags makes practicing fun. Your players also get used to rebounds off the goal, which doesn’t happen with cones or flags.
A backstop (same as a baseball pitch back), allows players who are waiting in lines or waiting for 1v1 turns to juggle against the backstop. I also use the backstop for chipping over it, wall passes in drills, and a really fun pre-warmup drill for early arriving players, but I'll post that later.
Before tournaments, I come out early and paint actual fields on the grass, painting boxes in front of the goals as well. The fastest way to do this is to already have rope with loops in the correct length. (To make a loop, hold the rope in a loop shape and make a simple overhand knot.) All you need is one side of the field because you duplicate it, and you can use the tiny orange flags from Home Depot to hold the loops in the ground while you spray field paint next to the rope. I do the same with the box, but for circles, I place the end of a looped line in the middle of the circle, held in place by a flag, and with my hand holding the paint can and the rope, I make a circle by keeping the rope tight.
You'll notice I bring other items too, to make my practices fun; but I think that, and trying to teach fancy moves, makes them really like practice. I've often heard new players (who we invited to our practice) tell my players how cool our practices were. One player told me, “I like practicing with you.” A parent told me her son never talked about his other practices, but he always talked about what we did in ours.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Effective 1v1 moves, open field, EXPERT skill required:
[NOTE: In 3v3 Soccer, your last player (defender) should refrain from risky moves unless they are very practiced. I constantly encourage the forwards to have fun with these fancy moves.]
Again, these moves are somewhat complicated, but I’ll try my best to describe them. When executed correctly, spectators usually go wild!
1) Ronaldo. Named after the Brazilian. I’ve seen defenders actually turn and run in the wrong direction, completely baffled.
This move is like a pass to yourself. With your right foot forward and over the ball (and slightly in front of the ball), brush the ball back toward your left foot, which should be under your body, at the same time keeping your right foot forward and in the air. Your left ankle punches the ball forward (usually with a hop), toward the defender. Since your right foot is still hovering out in front, it can redirect the ball toward the left, right and even straight.
To practice this move, I have the player pass the ball back to himself, punch it forward and step on the ball. In other words, right foot passes back, left ankle punches forward, and right foot stops ball by stepping on it. This move is effective because defenders see the ball coming toward them and hear the kick, but at the last moment, your hovering foot redirects. And if you punch the ball, slightly angled toward the opposite direction of which you're really going to go, you can make the defender turn in the wrong direction.
Once you get it, this move is actually easier while on the run. My son showing the Ronaldo, followed by Ronaldo...
2) Pedalada. Robinho is the true master of this move, the multiple scissors.
The scissors is when your foot first moves behind the ball then around and out in front, coming to rest beside the ball again. A Pedalada is effective because your feet are moving around the ball and at anytime you can move your foot slightly and cut the ball with either your right or left foot, using the inside or outside of either foot. While this is a common move, most players kick the ball forward and then try to catch up to the ball to do their scissors. This isn’t ideal.
The best way to start a Pedalada, especially on a small field, is to stand over and slightly in front of the ball (your bottom over the ball), with one foot far forward. Your back foot brushes the ball forward and steps on the outside of the ball, thereby being the first scissor. In other words, you don’t need to send the ball first, your brush is what gets the ball rolling, and since you’re already over the ball, you’ve jumped right into your Pedalada thus eliminating the need for space.
My son showing the Pedalada, followed by Robinho...
3) Roulette. Zidane is the master of this move.
Some people call this the helicopter, where you spin over the ball. Most youth players do it incorrectly because they simply do a 360 over a ball that moves in a straight line. This move is more effective when the ball actually moves off path. And while a roulette can be done on the run, you can also do it from a stand still. This is the method I will describe.
Push the ball diagonally (forward/left) with the inside of your right foot, across your body and then stop the ball with your toe. The ball should be away from your body, your leg extended. Next, rake the ball back on the same path (diagonally back/right) with your right foot as you start to spin your body counterclockwise. As you spin, your left foot steps on the ball (that your right foot sent back) and brushes it forward/right. By now you should have spun about 330. You dribble in that new direction.
This move really works well when a defender challenges from the side. Your raking foot should be the one closest to your defender because you don’t want to shield the ball from your opponent. You're teasing them to go after the ball. So, if they come in from your right, you rake the ball back with your right, spin your back toward the defender, and cut in an angle somewhat in the direction your defender had just come from. This allows you to use their momentum against them, and use your spinning arms/elbows to push off your opponent.
My son showing the Roulette, followed by Zidane on the run...
4) Elastico. Ronaldinho is the master of this move. An optical illusion move where the ball appears stuck to the player's foot.
Stand behind the ball with your feet together. With your kicking foot, push the ball with the outside of your foot, away from your body. [HINT: It’s easier if you point your toes toward the ground.] As you push the ball, your pushing foot works its way around the ball. [HINT: Knicking the back edge of the ball with your foot is another way to get around the ball.] Once your foot is on the outside of the ball, cut the ball back with the inside of your foot.
My son showing the Elastico, followed by Ronaldinho...
Again, these moves are somewhat complicated, but I’ll try my best to describe them. When executed correctly, spectators usually go wild!
1) Ronaldo. Named after the Brazilian. I’ve seen defenders actually turn and run in the wrong direction, completely baffled.
This move is like a pass to yourself. With your right foot forward and over the ball (and slightly in front of the ball), brush the ball back toward your left foot, which should be under your body, at the same time keeping your right foot forward and in the air. Your left ankle punches the ball forward (usually with a hop), toward the defender. Since your right foot is still hovering out in front, it can redirect the ball toward the left, right and even straight.
To practice this move, I have the player pass the ball back to himself, punch it forward and step on the ball. In other words, right foot passes back, left ankle punches forward, and right foot stops ball by stepping on it. This move is effective because defenders see the ball coming toward them and hear the kick, but at the last moment, your hovering foot redirects. And if you punch the ball, slightly angled toward the opposite direction of which you're really going to go, you can make the defender turn in the wrong direction.
Once you get it, this move is actually easier while on the run. My son showing the Ronaldo, followed by Ronaldo...
2) Pedalada. Robinho is the true master of this move, the multiple scissors.
The scissors is when your foot first moves behind the ball then around and out in front, coming to rest beside the ball again. A Pedalada is effective because your feet are moving around the ball and at anytime you can move your foot slightly and cut the ball with either your right or left foot, using the inside or outside of either foot. While this is a common move, most players kick the ball forward and then try to catch up to the ball to do their scissors. This isn’t ideal.
The best way to start a Pedalada, especially on a small field, is to stand over and slightly in front of the ball (your bottom over the ball), with one foot far forward. Your back foot brushes the ball forward and steps on the outside of the ball, thereby being the first scissor. In other words, you don’t need to send the ball first, your brush is what gets the ball rolling, and since you’re already over the ball, you’ve jumped right into your Pedalada thus eliminating the need for space.
My son showing the Pedalada, followed by Robinho...
3) Roulette. Zidane is the master of this move.
Some people call this the helicopter, where you spin over the ball. Most youth players do it incorrectly because they simply do a 360 over a ball that moves in a straight line. This move is more effective when the ball actually moves off path. And while a roulette can be done on the run, you can also do it from a stand still. This is the method I will describe.
Push the ball diagonally (forward/left) with the inside of your right foot, across your body and then stop the ball with your toe. The ball should be away from your body, your leg extended. Next, rake the ball back on the same path (diagonally back/right) with your right foot as you start to spin your body counterclockwise. As you spin, your left foot steps on the ball (that your right foot sent back) and brushes it forward/right. By now you should have spun about 330. You dribble in that new direction.
This move really works well when a defender challenges from the side. Your raking foot should be the one closest to your defender because you don’t want to shield the ball from your opponent. You're teasing them to go after the ball. So, if they come in from your right, you rake the ball back with your right, spin your back toward the defender, and cut in an angle somewhat in the direction your defender had just come from. This allows you to use their momentum against them, and use your spinning arms/elbows to push off your opponent.
My son showing the Roulette, followed by Zidane on the run...
4) Elastico. Ronaldinho is the master of this move. An optical illusion move where the ball appears stuck to the player's foot.
Stand behind the ball with your feet together. With your kicking foot, push the ball with the outside of your foot, away from your body. [HINT: It’s easier if you point your toes toward the ground.] As you push the ball, your pushing foot works its way around the ball. [HINT: Knicking the back edge of the ball with your foot is another way to get around the ball.] Once your foot is on the outside of the ball, cut the ball back with the inside of your foot.
My son showing the Elastico, followed by Ronaldinho...
Topic:
1v1 soccer moves
Friday, November 21, 2008
Effective 1v1 moves, open field, medium skill required:
[NOTE: In 3v3 Soccer, your last player (defender) should refrain from risky moves unless they are very practiced. I constantly encourage the forwards to have fun with these fancy moves.]
1) Chipped Shot/Pass. This play is a simple chip, but extremely effective. The real skill and beauty of this move is learning how to chip while running, a much harder task. A hint is to set your plant foot well in front of the rolling ball so that when you execute the chip, the ball is somewhat under your body. While I usually discourage fancy moves from my back player, this move I allow and encourage. This also works as a shot on goal when a defender comes out.
My son showing the chipped shot over a ladder, followed by Pelé and Maradona...
2) Ankle Flick. This play is fun to watch because of the optical illusion it creates. The ball appears to be rolling in one direction and then mysteriously cuts and changes direction without any apparent influence. First, step past the ball, toward the defender. Next, use your ankle to push the ball forward, toward the defender, as if you are going to give him the ball. The defender will close his legs, thinking you will nutmeg him. At the last possible moment, twist your foot around so that the length of your shoe (remember you were using only your ankle at first) strikes the ball; thus flicking the ball in a new direction around the defender.
My son showing the ankle flick, followed by a futsal player using an outside ankle flick...
3) Fake, Brush, Cut. If the player is planning to cut left, the first move is a scissors move with the left foot, i.e. your left foot moves from the left side of the ball, behind it, then up and around, and never touches the ball. Your left foot should plant to the left and in front of the ball so that you are now standing over the ball. Your right foot quickly brushes the ball forward, i.e. your right foot pushes the top or side of the ball and continues forward, past the ball. As the ball rolls forward, your right foot, which is well in front of the ball, is now in position to redirect the ball to the side. Again, this is a quick, fake, touch, touch play.
My son showing a fake, brush, cut...
4) Brushing “Left Behind” Pass. [This is the same move as the Brushing “Left Behind” Nutmeg posted earlier except you don't send the ball through a defender's legs.]
Standing in front of the defender, step wide (to either side works but I will go to the right for clarity) with your right foot to the right, leaving the ball with your left foot, except after your wide step, your left foot brushes the ball toward your right foot, your left foot planting in front of your right foot while the ball is seemingly left behind and now rolls toward your planted left foot. From the defender’s perspective, you appear in no position to strike the ball. That is when your right ankle swings behind your left leg and punches the ball forward. (I say swing, but in reality, if your left foot planted past your right foot, then your right ankle need only punch the ball forward.) The defender is usually caught off guard and you simply run past him and catch up to the ball.
5) Self Give and Go. If you are going to your right, you start by pushing the ball to the right, with the outside of your right foot. The right foot then hops over the ball and plants, gently popping the ball back to the left (with the inside of the right foot popping the ball toward the inside of the left foot). From the defenders perspective, the ball is now moving in the opposite direction of the initial push, thus, the defender hesitates; but the player is actually still moving to the right, only the ball changed directions. Then, using momentum and a continuation of your running motion, the inside of the left foot should run through the ball, like a step/chip, scooping it past the defender who paused when the ball appeared to change directions. Again, this is a quick outside foot, inside same foot, inside other foot.
My son showing the self give and go...
1) Chipped Shot/Pass. This play is a simple chip, but extremely effective. The real skill and beauty of this move is learning how to chip while running, a much harder task. A hint is to set your plant foot well in front of the rolling ball so that when you execute the chip, the ball is somewhat under your body. While I usually discourage fancy moves from my back player, this move I allow and encourage. This also works as a shot on goal when a defender comes out.
My son showing the chipped shot over a ladder, followed by Pelé and Maradona...
2) Ankle Flick. This play is fun to watch because of the optical illusion it creates. The ball appears to be rolling in one direction and then mysteriously cuts and changes direction without any apparent influence. First, step past the ball, toward the defender. Next, use your ankle to push the ball forward, toward the defender, as if you are going to give him the ball. The defender will close his legs, thinking you will nutmeg him. At the last possible moment, twist your foot around so that the length of your shoe (remember you were using only your ankle at first) strikes the ball; thus flicking the ball in a new direction around the defender.
My son showing the ankle flick, followed by a futsal player using an outside ankle flick...
3) Fake, Brush, Cut. If the player is planning to cut left, the first move is a scissors move with the left foot, i.e. your left foot moves from the left side of the ball, behind it, then up and around, and never touches the ball. Your left foot should plant to the left and in front of the ball so that you are now standing over the ball. Your right foot quickly brushes the ball forward, i.e. your right foot pushes the top or side of the ball and continues forward, past the ball. As the ball rolls forward, your right foot, which is well in front of the ball, is now in position to redirect the ball to the side. Again, this is a quick, fake, touch, touch play.
My son showing a fake, brush, cut...
4) Brushing “Left Behind” Pass. [This is the same move as the Brushing “Left Behind” Nutmeg posted earlier except you don't send the ball through a defender's legs.]
Standing in front of the defender, step wide (to either side works but I will go to the right for clarity) with your right foot to the right, leaving the ball with your left foot, except after your wide step, your left foot brushes the ball toward your right foot, your left foot planting in front of your right foot while the ball is seemingly left behind and now rolls toward your planted left foot. From the defender’s perspective, you appear in no position to strike the ball. That is when your right ankle swings behind your left leg and punches the ball forward. (I say swing, but in reality, if your left foot planted past your right foot, then your right ankle need only punch the ball forward.) The defender is usually caught off guard and you simply run past him and catch up to the ball.
5) Self Give and Go. If you are going to your right, you start by pushing the ball to the right, with the outside of your right foot. The right foot then hops over the ball and plants, gently popping the ball back to the left (with the inside of the right foot popping the ball toward the inside of the left foot). From the defenders perspective, the ball is now moving in the opposite direction of the initial push, thus, the defender hesitates; but the player is actually still moving to the right, only the ball changed directions. Then, using momentum and a continuation of your running motion, the inside of the left foot should run through the ball, like a step/chip, scooping it past the defender who paused when the ball appeared to change directions. Again, this is a quick outside foot, inside same foot, inside other foot.
My son showing the self give and go...
Topic:
1v1 soccer moves
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