Soccer Training Games And Drill Conditions

Small sided games and soccer drills can be varied greatly by adding a few extra rules to condition the players. Conditions can be used to make the drills harder or easier depending what you want the outcome to be.

However, if you want to condition your players differently it's important to have a variety of rules that you can implement.

Here are five of the ten variations we prefer that you can use in your next training session.

One Touch

Quite simply, players only have one touch. Do not allow your players to trap the ball or control then pass. They must play the ball first time.

This means they must be constantly aware of where their team mates are, move their feet quickly to get in line with the ball flight and they must decide where they are going to play the ball before they receive it.

This rule forces players to think quickly and anticipate the ball. When using this condition reiterate the key coaching points of thinking ahead, sound decision making, head up & vision, quick movement and communication.

Two Touch

Here the condition limits the players to a maximum of two touches.

A player is allowed to control the ball with their first touch but they must play the ball with their second touch.

The extra time that they are allowed on the ball, even though brief, allows them to evaluate their options and focus more on anticipation. Supporting team mates also need to think ahead and use good movement to create space and be available for the ball.

When using this condition, specifically watch and give feedback on the player's first touch as this will determine to a great extent what options they have thereafter.

Three (or a Specified Number of Touches)

Giving players more touches doesn't necessarily make the games or drills easier. For example, we might condition our players to five touches. That means they must be able to control the ball, get their head up, look for space, dribble, shield and bring other players into the game.

Ball Height - Below Knee Height

I like the quote from Brian Clough..."If God had meant football to be played in the air he'd have put goals in the sky!" This condition focuses the players to keep the ball on the ground.

That means they must look for passing channels along the floor and minimizes the "hoof" football that is so prevalent!

Coach players on creating space, good movement and offering support.

Ball Height - Head Height

Allowing the players a little more flexibility and some more ball maneuverability allows them to lift the ball but still discourages the "hoof" or "long ball all the time" soccer.

Again, creating space, movement and offering support should all be key components when imposing this condition.

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Soccer Strategy Game

The soccer world is a soccer strategy game that the coaches need to know in order to teach their team to play in an efficient and impressive manner.

Attack

An expert coach knows that the players need to be faster, stronger, and aggressive in order get a winning edge over their opponent. Direct play is supposed to be the best attacking strategy in soccer. Direct play simply means five passes or less.

First Objective

When attacking the opponent team to get control over the game, the coach needs to train the players how to gain entry into the attacking third of the field. He needs to teach his team certain techniques regarding that.

For example, you can teach them to use long forward passes to the back of the defense. Forward runs without the ball is another great technique in this regard.

The coaches should also teach the players about Forward passes to feet, supported by a player at an angle to receive the ball and pass it forwards. Again, it is also very important for the players to learn about receiving and turning with the ball.

Second Objective

When it comes to attacking, the second thing that the coaches need to teach the players is how to increase, or at least maintain, the momentum of the attack once the ball is in the attacking third of the field. Here again, certain things are very important to keep in mind. For example, the players must learn to shoot at every opportunity. Whenever possible, they should attack opponents by dribbling.

Again, whenever possible, the player must be able to pass the ball to the back of the defense. Crossing the ball early from the flanks (wing) to the back of the defense is another important thing for the players to learn in order to make their attacking position much better.

Most importantly, the coach must also teach the players about how to retain a compact team shape.

There is a third objective also. If the team is capable to achieve the second objective, it will be much easier for them to achieve the final objective of the Soccer strategy game, which is to do better than the opponents in four important elements of the game.

Andre Botelho is a recognized authority on the subject of soccer strategy game. His web site, Youth Soccer Drills, provides a wealth of informative soccer articles, resources and tips for soccer coaches, parents and players.