The Insider to Soccer

A regulation soccer game is always played with two teams, and played in ninety minutes which are divided into two forty-five minute halves. The goal of soccer is to propel the soccer ball forward, and into the opponent's goal without using the hands. In a regulated game of FIFA (federation international football association) soccer there are eleven players from each team on the playing field at once. There is a goal keeper who plays in the goal, and is able to use their hands to defend the goal; fullbacks who play on the field, and cannot use their hands to defend the goal; halfbacks who play both defense and offence; and strikers who attack the opponent's goal. Like in any other sports there are rules. If a player is fouled inside of the opponent's eighteen, or better known as the bigger box surrounding the goal they receive a penalty kick.

A penalty kick is where a player shoots against the goalie from a short distance away, and tries to score without the goalie blocking the shot. If a player is fouled outside of the opponent's eighteen they are just awarded a free kick. A free kick can either be direct meaning they can shoot, or indirect meaning another teammate has to touch the ball before a shot is taken. If a player has committed a foul they can receive one of three things: nothing, yellow card, and a red card. If nothing happens a player may not be in trouble. When a player is given a yellow card that means they have been warned, and next time they will be thrown out of the game. A red card means that a player must leave the game, and may by certain league rules not play for the next couple of games.

Basic Drills

Drills are an important factor of a strong fundamental player. Listed below are three important drills working on fundamentals which are essential in a game. Remember always start slow, and than gradually work up the speed.

1. Dribbling Drill.
   1. Set up a series of five cones in a line three to four feet apart
   2. Start by weaving in and out of the cones without the ball
   3. After you get a feel for the drill slowly weave in and out of the cones with a ball.
      1. This drill works well on ball control
2. Trapping Drill.
   1. Start out next to a concrete or sturdy wall with a soccer ball
   2. Kick the soccer ball against the wall with different strengths
   3. Trap the ball with your feet, chest, and thigh when the ball bounces back
   4. Kick the ball from short and longer distances.
      1. If a wall is not available try this
      2. Throw a ball up high in the air
      3. Trap the ball with your feet, thigh, and chest.
         1. Baby the ball into your foot, thigh, and chest. Do not let it bounce off!
3. Shooting Drill.
   1. Go to a soccer field or anywhere soccer nets are available to use
   2. Hang an old tire up in the top right and top left corners of the net
   3. Set your ball from different places outside of the eighteen box (larger box surrounding the goal), and shoot the ball for the inside of the tire.
      1. When shooting a soccer ball focus on:
         1. Non shooting foot place a couple inches next to the ball
         2. Shooting leg should be knee over toe.
            1. Knee over toe mean to have your knee simply over you toe when contact with the ball is made
            2. This prevents high shot balls
      2. The top right, and left corners are the best places to place a shot in a game

Advanced Drills

After practicing some basic drills and having an understanding of the game; incorporate more advanced drill into a practice. Here are two advanced drills to help with game situations.

1. Power and Finesse.
   1. Start by having a group of players form two lines outside the eighteen box.
      1. One five feet to the left of the half circle, and the other five feet right of the half circle
   2. The players will be taking two shots.
      1. One at the eighteen box
      2. One at the six box
   3. If a player makes one of the two shots they go to the end of their line
   4. If a player makes both shots they challenge another player from the other team, and that player must make both shot or they are out
   5. If a player misses both they are out of the drill
   6. Have two passers on either side of the goal with a pile of balls
   7. The passers make two passes per player.
      1. One at the eighteen box, and one at the six box.
         1. This drill will stress using both feet for a power, and finesse shot
         2. Finesse shots should be soft, accurate, and well placed
         3. Power shots should be hard, accurate, and well placed
2. Juggling
   1. Start with a soccer ball in hand, and drop it to your feet
   2. With both feet try to keep it from touching the ground as long as possible
   3. In order to do accomplish this lightly kick the ball upwards.
      1. Slant your foot to the sky, and make contact with the laces of your foot
      2. Keep the ball below the waist
      3. Kick the ball with a light upward snap of the foot.
         1. This drill will focus on soft touches resulting in better ball control