Soccer Training & Drills

Practicing soccer drills and maintaining a high level of fitness will improve a player's match performance and skill level. Drills and techniques can be practiced on your own or with teammates. Key elements of improving your soccer skills are ball control, speed, stamina and passing. Other aspects of the game will fall into place if these basic skills are mastered.

  1. Ball Control

    • Good ball control is paramount when practicing soccer skills. You will gain time with the ball if you can control it with one touch. Practice controlling the ball with the head, chest, thighs and feet. The quicker you get the ball under control, the more likely you are to play a telling pass or produce a shot on goal. Try a method called "keepy-ups" where you juggle the ball without it touching the ground, using both feet. Professional soccer players practice this method for hours.

    Speed

    • Speed drills can be practiced with or without the ball. Use the lines on the soccer pitch to help you. Stand on the goal line and jog to the six-yard line, then turn and sprint back. Keep repeating this method using the penalty box, halfway line and the next lines in sequence. Short sprints will improve your speed.

    Stamina

    • A high fitness level will help improve stamina. A soccer match is usually won by the team with the higher stamina levels. Regular long distance running at a steady pace will improve stamina levels as well as exercising and strengthening all parts of the body. Sit ups and push ups are an effective way to strengthen stomach, shoulders and arm muscles.

    Passing

    • The ability to pass the ball well is a crucial skill to possess when playing soccer. A short pass can be played by using the instep of the kicking foot. The longer pass is harder to master but can quickly turn defense into attack if the ball is played accurately to a teammate. Practice long passing to a teammate on the training pitch to improve your accuracy. Drive the kicking foot through the ball with the instep with enough power to reach your teammate. Keep the ball low and accurate.