I’m not sure if you know this but young players have real trouble in kicking the ball by using a straight leg? In Coaching soccer drills, this is the trickiest part as far as the players and the coaches are concerned. The player is required to maintain absolute balance and the leg with which ball is to be kicked at is bent at the knee. Both power and stance to kick the ball emerges from below the knee.
In soccer practice, this is the opening pose for just about all types of kicks. The speeding up of the foot from below the knee generates a great impact on the ball. This provides the players with a lot of power to act upon a range of kicks. Yet, it is the kind of contact of the ball with the foot that decides what type of kick would originate.
For example; it could be thumped very high, driven low, turn sharply to the left, or move to the right.
In soccer, the three critical passes are the instep drive, a side foot pass, and the outside of the foot pass. Let’s discuss them further.
The side foot pass: This is the easiest and the most widely used pass in teaching soccer. Normally, it is used to make short distance passes. Though it is a little slow and quite predictable during the game but is very easy for the kids to learn and execute accurately. The foot turned outward, ball comes into contact on the outside of the ankle and the foot.
In coaching soccer drills, guide the players to keep their bodies totally relaxed throughout the entire movement. When it comes to different kicking actions, this rule is the truly indispensable. The ankle and the foot should be stiffened only at the time of contact with the ball.
Subsequently, as players are convinced of their ability to perform it, the action should come out smooth, natural, and relaxed.
Outside of the foot pass: This is a little difficult to learn but is extremely important to master because it is accurate, quick, and cannot be predicted. The ball makes a contact between the laces and the outside edge of the foot, when the foot is extended and turned inward. By using the foot, the pass is converted into a quick toss for short distances.
In coaching drills, it’s imperative that the players maintain a comfortable posture.
The Instep Drive: Both the versions of instep drive i.e. the low driven version and the lofted version are brought into play to pass the ball over longer distances. After the players have learnt it, variations can be brought in to make a “chip pass” or an “in swinging pass”. Because the approach of the instep drive is angled to some extent, the non kicking foot is positioned about 12 inches toward the side of and behind the ball.
The contact with the ball is made between the laces and the inside of the foot and it should be stiff and extended.
So, go forward and make the kids try different things with the ball by teaching them the basic kicking techniques as well its variations.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andre Botelho is a recognized authority in youth soccer coaching and has already helped thousands of youth coaches to dramatically improve their coaching skills. Learn how to explode your players’ skills and make training fun by downloading your free ebook at: Soccer Coaching
