Soccer Training Drills 

There is no other sport in the world with the popularity of soccer, known to most of the world as “futbol.” The sport has been gaining support in the United States for years, with participation now at an all-time high. Whether you are a coach, player, or parent of a child playing the game, proper training is essential to competing in this sport. This article will attempt to present useful tips about training, drills, and conditioning in order to make your soccer experience more enjoyable and successful.

The best way to start to learn the sport of soccer is to first make sure you are familiar with all of the rules of the game. There are several resources available on the internet or at your local library that list the basic rules of the game. To even a casual observer, it's obvious that running is a huge part of the sport, so being in top condition is essential to having success in this sport.

Endurance and Acceleration

Endurance and acceleration speed are the traits shared by the most successful players of this sport. To achieve these goals, most players start a regimen of intervals. On your practice field, establish a 25-yard mark and practice sprinting toward this mark as fast as possible from a standing start. Repeat this process six times with a rest time of about two minutes in between reps. This is a regimen that needs to be done a few times every day. An athlete doing this drill needs to feel the sensation of their feet behind them to get the maximum benefit. The participant of this drill should try to achieve full extension of the knees, hips, and ankles without straining them.

The drill just described is intended to get the player to accelerate to full speed as quickly as possible. After about 25 yards, most athletes have hit full-speed. Learning how to maintain this speed without tiring prematurely is also paramount to success on the soccer field. Try the following drill to help maintain your top speed for as long as possible.

Soccer Drill 2

The most important element of maintaining your top speed is learning how to relax once you achieve it.

Start by placing cones or other markers at a starting line, then another 15 yards down the field, another at 35 yards, with the last being at a 55-yard marker. Sprint as hard as you can to the 15-yard marker. Then try to maintain the same speed to the next marker while running more upright and relaxing. After passing the 35-yard marker, slowly decelerate and then come to a full stop at the 55-yard marker. This is called a “fly 20” by soccer trainers. Once you are comfortable holding your speed for 20 yards, move the markers about 5 yards farther apart, and do the same drill. Once again, when are comfortable doing a “fly 25,” move the marker 5 more yards out.

These are a just two basic soccer training drills that can benefit any fledgling or experienced soccer player, and make your game more competitive and enjoyable.

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