Let’s say that at least 50% of Soccer Coaching Drills must concentrate on improving player’s trapping skills. You will not be convinced with the statement. But you know what! According to a study, in addition to dribbling and passing, trapping too plays a vital role in helping teams win matches.

When a player catches the ball and is able to maintain its possession with him, it’s trapping. Such soccer exercises allow players to use thighs, feet and chest in doing so.

It’s vital for your players to master the skill of trapping the ball. If they can’t trap the ball, they are sure to lose their grip over the match because this is very basic. Some of the following techniques help in enhancing the trapping skills of the players.

Use your feet: As a coach, you must teach the basic lesson of using the feet to maneuver the ball. Especially with younger players in kids soccer drills, it is important to make them use the inside of their foot. The biggest reason for this is that the inside area of the foot is broad and is most helpful in tackling the ball.

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If the players are advanced and mature, teach them to use the instep or top of the foot as well as the whole foot in trapping the ball during the soccer coaching drills. When the ball is hopping too much, tell them to employ the most favorable trick of using their shin or ankle.

Thigh Movement: Using your thigh to control rapid and bouncy ball is an excellent approach. Guide the players to come in front of the ball, take one thigh up to capture the ball and other thigh to stay grounded. Most importantly, practice dropping your knee once it connects with the ball for the ball to drop down and stay with you rather than getting away.

Master the skill of capturing the ball using the knee and then dropping the knee so the ball plunges down and stays within range by intensively working on this exercise.

Use the Chest: You can also use your chest to trap the ball that is high up in the air, just like your thigh. Players should be positioned in front of the ball to face it but using the energy through their chest to stop it. This will have the effect of breaking the ball’s speed and tumbling it down immediately.

Nevertheless, soccer training drills should be careful not to expose young players too much to this skill. It is very typical of them to use their hands while trying to stop the ball with the chest. This practice could lead to a problem by kids getting comfortable using their hands to deal with the ball.

Now its time to start putting these soccer coaching drills into action. Make the players practice these more and more. If you wish to learn a great deal of such tips and tricks, subscribe to our youth soccer coaching community.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Andre Botelho is known online as “The Expert Youth Soccer Coach” and his free ebooks and reports have been downloaded more than 100,000 times. Learn how to skyrocket your players’ skills and make training fun in record time. Download your free ebook at: http://www.soccerdrillstips.com - Teaching Youth Soccer Training Drills