Soccer Tips: courtesy of Stuart Neely; Head of Player Management and Advancement, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
BMO is a proud supporter and loyal fan of Vancouver Whitecaps FC. As Head of Player Management and Advancement, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Stuart Neely shares tips on how to improve your soccer skills.
Flick-on headers(+)
- 1. A flick-on header is used to direct the ball onto a team-mate or into a dangerous area of the pitch. The idea is to keep the ball going in a forward direction over or around the defender. The best way to do it is to be looking into the sky and use your forehead, but young players can also use the top of their heads.
- 2. Adding the flick-on header to your players' skills enables them to play the ball in any direction off their head. The flick-on technique is often used in front of the near post when the ball is crossed from the wing, or on corner kicks. The ball is helped on its way into the danger zone, and it is very difficult for the goalkeeper to cut out this type of cross.
- 3. The flick-on does not require a lot of power; the idea is to use the speed of the ball and flick the header back off the centre of the forehead. To practice this use four players, a server of the ball, a defender, the heading player and a catcher behind him. The position of the defender can change so he is in front or behind the flicker. Swap roles often so everyone has a turn.
Create more goals by playing the ball wide(+)
- 1. Quite often in youth soccer you will find that the pitch gets churned up right down the middle and the wings look like a well kept lawn. It's often difficult to keep wingers out wide because they feel they are out of the game. So get them to practice staying wide in training by locking them out on the wing.
- 2. A small-sided game to bring wingers into play - This game uses a full-sized pitch but turn it around so the goals are centered on each side line. Put a keeper in each goal and a neutral player in each 18 yard box - these will become the wingers for both teams. Use two teams of three players and they can use both of the neutral players.
- 3. The wingers are always on the attack - The neutral players are always attackers and must stay in their 18 yard areas. The teams play a normal game except each attack must use one of the wingers, who cross the ball from their area into the attacking team. No one else is allowed in the 18 yard areas.
- 4. Players must move for the winger's pass - If you look at the diagram you can see that the keeper plays the ball out wide to the neutral player on his right wing, and the attacking players make runs straight away. The nearest player goes in for a short pass and the other two make near post and far post runs. You can restrict the wingers to two or three touches
How drop-kicks can start attacks(+)
Some keepers have actually been known to score from within their own area, so a long kick is a useful weapon to have.
1. Get your players to hold the ball out in front of them in both hands, or in the palm of the hand opposite to their strongest foot.
2. As they move forward, tell them to release the ball.
3. Then get them to bring their kicking leg through to meet the bottom half of the ball before it bounces.
4. They can let the ball bounce and take it on the half-volley if they prefer to kick the ball at a lower height.
5. The fuller the follow-through, the greater the power - but there is a greater chance of a miskick.
Correct tackles keep aggressors at bay...(+)
Coaching the correct technique
There are three reasons why you should coach players the correct tackling techniques. Mis-timed or poorly executed tackles can:
1. Result in free kicks (or penalties) against your team;
2. Lead to yellow or even red cards against your players; and...
3. Cause serious injury.
Close down the attacker's space
The first lesson to teach players is that they can't carry out a tackle before they get in range. That means quickly closing down the attacker's space. Once that's done, there are several ways an opponent can be dispossessed or stopped but the most important one a player needs is the block tackle.
Used when a player is running head-on
The Block tackle is mainly used when confronting an opponent head on. As with all tackling, timing is crucial, so players have to recognize the best moment to make a challenge. That could be when the attacker...
1. is off balance
2. has allowed the ball to run too far in front
3. is looking at the ball.
A good first touch is key(+)
A good first touch...
• gives a player TIME and SPACE to assess what to do next (that is, to pass, dribble or shoot)
• ensures a time-wasting second touch isn't required get¬ting the ball out of the feet
• enables players to operate comfortably under pressure and in tight situations
Whereas a poor first touch...
• can take the momentum out of attacking play
• might result in LOST POSSESSION
Soccer Tips: courtesy of Ray Clark; Director, Coaching and Player Development.
BMO is proud to support the Canadian National Men and Women Soccer Teams. Ray Clark, the Director, Coaching and Player Development, provides these tips for Coaches and players to help develop their game.
Powerplay Skills Game(+)
The Set Up :
Work in a 20m x 20m grid, with 4 opponents vs 2 defenders
Game :
• Control ball into space AWAY from defenders
• Encourage passing in between the two defenders.
• Encourage longer passes.
Coach :
If the players have difficulty completing the passes, you have the following options:
1. Play 4 vs 1
2. Go back to 3 vs 1
3. Have the defenders walk instead of running the plays.
Warm Up Game(+)
After stretching:
• Arrange the players in pairs in a 5m x10m rectangle or between two cones, 10m apart.
• Each player stands near (not on) a cone.
• Each player pushes the ball across to the other player with the inside of the foot.
• The player receiving the ball controls it with one touch and passes it back with the next touch.
Coach:
• In the movement of the ball watch for the head movement of the players. As the ball comes towards the receiver, the head should go down to watch the ball. On the first touch out from under the body, the head should go up to look at the receiver.
• Encourage the players to use different feet in passing and different feet and surfaces in controlling the ball.
• When the players can pass at 10m, move the cones to 15m apart and try again
Soccer Tag Game(+)
Set Up:
• 35m x 25m rectangle.
• Divide the team into two groups.
• Players wear coloured bibs. Each player has a ball.
Game:
The teams chase one another try to tag each other. If a red player tags a blue player, the blue player stands with legs wide apart holding the ball above their head. To get that player back into the game, another blue player must pass his/her ball through the legs.
Technique Development Drill(+)
Set Up:
• 20m x 30m rectangle
• 1 ball for each player
Drill:
All players move about the rectangle while the coach yells directions:
• "only using right foot – inside, outside"
• "only using left foot – inside, outside"
Yell the word "CHANGE", meaning the players have to change direction. Constantly call "CHANGE". Use the word "TURN". Coach demonstrates a simple "turn" – one at a time:
• roll back – sole of foot
• heel back – heel of foot
• hook back – outside of foot
• hook back – using inside of foot drawing the ball back between legs
After each turn is introduced, the players continue to dribble around the rectangle. The coach yells "TURN" and the players turn with the ball and move off in the opposite direction. The coach now yells "CHANGE" and "TURN".
Goalkeeping Tips(+)
Things to remember:
1. Be balanced – "SET" yourself.
2. Fast feet – attack the ball.
3. Hand positions for high and low balls.
Beginner Goalie Games (find your true goalie on the team):
1. The player and the coach stand five metres apart. They throw the ball to each other. The first pair to complete 10 successful catches and sit down is the winner.
2. The player sits and the coach bounces the ball high. The player gets up on his/her feet before catching the ball. The first player to catch the ball 5 times wins. The player then bounces the ball for the coach.
3. The player lies down before getting up to catch the ball, which has been bounced by the coach. The first player to catch the ball 5 times wins.
4. The player rolls the ball between the coach's legs. The coach turns and falls on the ball. The coach then rolls the ball between the player's legs and the player turns and falls on the ball.
