One of the major differences the young player will find frustrating as they attempt to make the jump from high school to college and beyond is in the area of speed with the ball. We have all seen the youth player who at 12 years old simply kicks the ball far down the field and simply outruns opponents to kick it in the goal. That same player is frequently overlooked at the next level because suddenly everyone has caught up in terms of speed, strength, and power.Most players fail to get out of their comfort zone during soccer training sessions with the ball. Therefore, few develop the ability to run with, dribble, and receive a ball at top speed. Most players need to slow or stop their runs in order to receive a ball that their foreign counterpart at the same age naturally takes at speed. Training in the following activities daily will improve this deficiency quickly.
Change of Direction and Acceleration
The most important element in changing direction during fast footwork is to lower your hips (Flexion). The head shoulders, hips move at the same time. As the players turn, they should do a “Paw” step under their hips. Most players will exhibit a “false” step, moving backwards before exploding forward, usually caused by being too upright in their stance. This negative step can be either backward or by extending out too much forward. In changing direction while dribbling,“ A lower body is a faster body”. Triple Flexion (the proper bending of the hips, knees, and ankles) benefits dribbling with fast footwork).
Activities:
1. Fast footwork, should be trained in three ways A) Within the comfort zone (slow and smooth).B) Fast as can be done. On the cutting edge of losing control!C) With penetration. This means pushing the ball 5-10 yards out and sprinting after it. A good method of teaching penetration is to put the players in a series of five-yard grids. On the command, they must execute the desired technique, push the ball out of their grid into another and sprint to regain possession, without contacting another player (also increases their awareness of space).
2. Speed Wheel with the ball:On the coaches’ command, the player begins dribbling the ball toward cones, stopping at the first cone, second cone, third cone, turning and repeating coming back. The emphasis is not only on acceleration but also on deceleration. The coach can give the player directions on how to navigate the course, emphasizing stopping, feinting and going to a side cone, acceleration, twisting, turning, and what techniques to use.
Here the Three- point flexion is crucial.
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3. Technique on Demand:
Twenty yards in length between cones. Player starts build-up run, attaining full speed by first cone. Coach serves ball from the side into player’s path, player must control without losing speed, sprinting to designated cone. Coach should give each player a few chances to perform new exercise within their comfort zone.
Start service on ground, demanding player takes ball with left foot, right foot, etc. Build up to bouncing balls, air balls for thigh, foot, chest, and head. Coach observes speed, technique, and the proper distance that the ball is played away from receiver on first touch. It will be normal for players to lose control at beginning of activity.The coach is looking for quality, not quantity in this type of soccer training activity. In order to maximize effectiveness; allow the proper work-to-rest ratio.
By arranging the activity with ten players in each line (two-three areas might be necessary), and allowing each player to walk slowly back to the end of the line after a full-out sprint with the ball, this should be accomplished. Each player completes 10-12 repetitions. Distance between cones should be varied weekly.
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Coach
SUMMARY:
The coach will notice that the players tend to lose control of the ball when first attempting these activities. This is normal. They also will show a great deal of frustration. This will lessen, as they become more proficient in speed training with the ball.As the players return to training activities (small sided games), they will normally revert back into their comfort zone. Here the coach must constantly be on the outlook for that moment to reinforce their ability to play at top speed.