FineSoccer Drill 68

This exercise drill requires accurate passing, good timing, teamwork and good footwork to be successful.  It will take some time to get used to but can be very beneficial to get players to realize the importance of doing the little things correctly.

This exercise requires  a minimum of 12 players and 6 soccer balls and does require a fair amount of skill so some teams will struggle but that is part of the purpose of this exercise as it will show both strengths and weaknesses.

Start with 4 players in a square with two more players in the middle of the square and the rest on each end (see diagram below)

The players on the end (Players X) start by playing the ball to the player on the square to her right (in each case, this player to the right is Player A).  Player X then overlaps around Player A who makes a one touch pass to the player in the middle (Players C) and Player C returns the ball to Player X for a successful overlap.  Player X then plays the ball to the OTHER Player C for a wall pass around Players D who are there merely as dummies (see diagram below for an idea of what this looks like).

Some of the keys to this exercise being successful are that all passes must be played to the correct foot at the correct time (in other words, it' not good enough to say pass the ball to feet but rather play the ball to the correct foot so that the receiver can play the ball to the next person one touch).  The players receiving the ball will have to move in order to get their bodies turned properly to play the ball one touch to the correct foot of the next player as well.  Another one of the keys for this to be successful is that the players on each end must start at the same time. This requires both communication as well as teamwork.

Of all of the players in this activity, the players in the middle of the square are doing the most work.  They must be constantly moving in order to get themselves in proper position to both receive the ball and play in one touch.  These players would represent center midfielders or forwards.  If they try to play this role as a stationary player, they will be unsuccessful (just like they would be trying to play the center midfield position stationary).

After doing this activity for a few minutes, have the players switch roles so that the dummy positions can get some work and the players who have been working the hardest can get some rest.

Give this a try but please be patient as it is NOT an easy activity to master.  Let me know what you think of this on the FineSoccer Forum

Have a great day!

Lawrence