One of my most read blog pieces so far has been a little ditty I put together after I finally figured out how to do an "around the world" with the soccer ball. So that little taste of "how to" success got me thinking a bit about other ways to share what has and has not worked for me over the years.
With that sentiment, and with over a decade of coaching experience and a lifetime of playing experience to bear, this is a segment I have written to impart some of what has been helpful to me.
Soccer Drills
The foundation of any great player is ball control. I have considered and employed many different techniques to build ball control skills. One such technique is to incorporate the use of the mini ball, essentially a size 1 ball, in to your normal drills.
Because of the decreased surface area, the mini ball requires pin point accuracy of touch. Shooting, trapping, passing, heading - all become exercises on precision. The tendency for most young players is to substitute skill with power, but the mini ball doesn't necessarily reward power - so the player has to stay focused on touch.
At a recent futsal camp at Street Soccer Indoor in metro Atlanta, former Atlante and Colorado Rapids defender Antonio de la Torre, almost exclusively used mini balls to work ball control, passing, and shooting drills with his young attendees. The rationale is simple. According to de la Torre, "if you can master the control of a ball this size [referring to the mini ball], then playing with a regulation sized futsal or outdoor ball will be that much easier."
With that background in mind, players - start by practicing your juggling skills with a mini ball as well as your regulation ball. As you would with your regular ball, use all surfaces of your boots, as well as thighs and head.
Coaches - consider incorporating mini balls in to some of your precision and ball control drills. Any passing drills or shooting drills you currently employ will be enhanced greatly by incorporating the mini ball as again, players will be forced in to accuracy over power. I think you will find this addition to your coaching regime incredibly beneficial.
Soccer Coaching Tips - How to Use a Mini Ball
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