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 No! Research shows that trapping along with passing and dribbling skills alone decide whether your team is capable of winning matches or not.
Trapping is the ability of the players to intercept the ball and then keep it near their body. These are soccer exercises that permit the use of chest, thighs and feet while doing so.
It’s vital for your players to master the skill of trapping the ball. If not, they will never really be in control of the game because everything else comes after trapping the ball. Some of the following techniques help in enhancing the trapping skills of the players.
Engaging the feet: Firstly, train your players in using their feet to deal with the ball which is a basic skill. Kids soccer drills should predominantly include practicing the kids on use of 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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Older and well-established players in soccer coaching drills should be trained to use their full foot, just the top, or instep. Train your players to adopt the strategy to apply ankle or shin to catch hold of the ball when it is jumping a lot.
Thigh Movement: A thigh is very useful in controlling the fast and bouncy approaching ball. Guide the players to come in front of the ball, take one thigh up to capture the ball and other thigh to stay grounded. While doing this, remember that the knee should some down when it comes in contact with the ball so that the ball remains within the player’s range.
Continue repeating this exercise till the time you learn it by heart i.e. stopping the ball with your thigh and then tumbling the thigh down so the ball stays somewhere close to you.
Use the Chest: Trapping a ball flying high in the air with the use of your chest is also equally useful, like the use of thighs. Teach your players to tackle the ball using their chest by getting in front of the ball and take their chest out. As a result the ball will loose its tempo almost immediately and will fall down at once.
However, in the soccer training drills, it is important to realize that young players should not be exposed a lot to this technique. It is very typical of them to use their hands while trying to stop the ball with the chest. It could be troublesome because the kids might get accustomed to using their hands to catch the ball.
These soccer coaching drills should be then acted upon instantly. Encourage the players to practice these to a great extent. 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 Coaching Tips