US Sports Net Today!


Live Play-by-Play, Updates, Highlights and More! on US Sports Network!
[Chrome Users-You may have to click on the play button twice to listen]
US Sports Network Powered By Beast Sports Nutrition!




US Sports Radio
The Las Vegas Raiders Play Here
Fitness and Sports Performance Info You Can Use!
The Scoreboard Mall
The Rock Almighty Shaker Of Heaven And Earth!
The Coolest Links In The Universe!
Showing posts with label Soccer coach world cup soccer Mia Hamm Soccer training soccer coaching clinic soccer position. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Soccer coach world cup soccer Mia Hamm Soccer training soccer coaching clinic soccer position. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

US Sports Soccer Feat. Lionel Messi Breaks TWO MLS Records Against RBNY

 

Presented on US Sports by CoachTube
Featured course:
Backyard Soccer Drills
by Marty Schupak
https://bit.ly/3JSrELN
Backyard Soccer Drills was filmed in suburban New York with a small group of five kids and one coach/parent. Continuing with the tradition of the Youth Sports Club and VideosForCoaches.com , nationally known youth coach and video producer Marty Schupak, has put together one of the most creative sports instructional videos to date. This course shows some of the most fundamental soccer drills as well as some advanced skill drills. Using limited space and being creative using areas around one's house such as a deck, trees and even a driveway, this valuable tool covers many aspects of the game of soccer. The soccer course is appropriate for ages 7-18.
Learn more @ https://bit.ly/3JSrELN

On today's show we have an excellent multi-faceted girls soccer prospect out of Connecticut, followed by another record setting night by arguably the best there is. Let them both inspire you to greatness!

Video credits:
BRIANNA VANDERHEYDEN - [ FORWARD/WINGER ] - CLASS OF 2025
L2 SPORTS MEDIA (for contact)
@l2sportsmedia993
https://www.youtube.com/@l2sportsmedia993

Lionel Messi Breaks TWO MLS Records Against RBNY
Major League Soccer
@mls
Stay on top of another historic MLS season with the app
@ Apple - https://apple.co/3SKLmfy
@ Amazon - https://amzn.to/3y2fddx

Cool Sports, Talk, Music, & Fun
US Sports Radio
https://bit.ly/USSportsRadioToday

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

US Sports Soccer Featuring: LA Galaxy vs. Inter Miami CF | Riqui Puig vs. Lionel Messi

 

Presented on US Sports by CoachTube Soccer
Featured course:
Winning Soccer Vol. 7: Goalkeeper Training featuring Coach Joe Luxbacher
https://bit.ly/49uwSIR
Assigned the difficult task of protecting a goal 8 feet high and 24 feet wide, the goalkeeper is the final obstacle opponents must pass in order to score a goal. Top-flight netminders combine a high degree of physical and mental toughness with the ability to successfully execute specialized goalkeeping skills in pressure-packed game situations. Winning Soccer: Volume #7 illustrates the essential goalkeeping skills used when receiving low, medium and high balls, when diving to make an acrobatic save, when boxing the uncatchable high ball, and when distributing the ball accurately and effectively to teammates. A progressive series of training exercises is designed to prepare keepers to meet the competitive challenges they will face in actual game competition. This program is an essential resource for every aspiring goalkeeper and coach.
Book this course today!
https://bit.ly/49uwSIR

Video credit:
MLS
Follow your fave' footballers with the app
@ Amazon - https://amzn.to/4bP3vlX
@ Apple - https://apple.co/3SKLmfy

Cool Sports & Talk
US Sports Radio
http://www.USSportsRadio.net

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

CoachLab Soccer: Soccer Moves, Skills & Drills by MLS Star Dwayne De Rosario

 

Soccer Moves, Skills & Drills by MLS Star Dwayne De Rosario 

Join MLS player and youth soccer coach, Dwayne De Rosario as he shows you several killer moves and techniques that he uses to dominate the game. In these coaching videos you will learn proper ball control, handling drills, receiving drills, and more.
Check it out @ https://tinyurl.com/SoccerMoves1223

Video credit: MLS
Get more with the MLS app
@ The Apple Store - https://apple.co/3SKLmfy
@ Amazon - https://amzn.to/41p3alr

Cool Sports & Talk.
US Sports Radio
http://www.USSportsRadio.net

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

US Sports Soccer: Winning Soccer Vol. 5: Passing, Receiving and Heading featuring Coach Joe Luxbacher

Winning Soccer Vol. 5: Passing, Receiving and Heading featuring Coach Joe Luxbacher

Description

To maximize group performance, players must effectively combine their individual efforts and abilities to create one smooth functioning whole. Passing, receiving and heading skills provide the vital thread that enable 11 teammates to play as one. Mastery of these skills will enable teammates to maintain possession of the ball, dictate the tempo of the game and ultimately create and finish scoring opportunities. This comprehensive program provides coaches and players with a variety of exercises designed to improve their ability to pass, receive and head the ball effectively. This video is an essential training tool for players and coaches at any competitive level! Book this course......

 


The Coach

Dr. Joseph Luxbacher has been involved in the sport of soccer as both a player and coach for more than 30 years. A former professional player in the North American Soccer League (NASL) and Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), Luxbacher served more than two decades as the head men’s soccer coach at the University of Pittsburgh where his teams won more than 200 times. Coach Luxbacher has twice been named Big East Athletic Conference Soccer Coach of the Year and has earned the “A” Coaching License of US Soccer. Book this course......

Live Streams and Breaking Sports News!

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

US Sports Soccer: 6 Best Soccer Finishing Drills

 

  • By Damilare Ilyiade

The whole aspect of the game of soccer is beautiful and captivating, but the very aspect that gives it its whole essence is goal scoring. In order word finishing.  The game of soccer wouldn’t be the same if there's wasn’t goal scoring. Every move, every tactic, every setup, every structural approach to the game is to achieve one aim, to outscore the opponent. Because that's how the winner emerges.

To get the better of the opponent means to score goals, and to score goals you don’t just need strikers who can strike the ball properly but strikers who can make the right decisions while under pressure and even in the most unpleasant situations.   The game of soccer has seen some extraordinary and cold-blooded finishers. Some of them are extremely talented right from the onset, but they got to the very top via consistent practice and the desire to refine each aspect of their game. Especially the finishing. 

The following aids the finishing skill of a player; 

Shot Power, Shot Technique and accuracy, Vision, and Anticipation. 

Shot Power: The ability to strike the ball at a great velocity is essential to becoming a deadly finisher in the game of soccer. This ability can give a soccer player an edge over multiple goalkeepers. Striking the ball with power makes it difficult for an average goalkeeper to react on time, and if the ball is well within the range of the goal, then you can be confident of putting it in the back of the net. 

 

Shot technique and Accuracy: Shot technique a bit differs from shot power, the ability to shoot the ball well is another vital skill known as technique. Having shot power is good, but if the technique does not correspond then it will be difficult to score goals. Some players are not all about the power, but their precision that is technique is second to none. Every top soccer player executes their game with precision and accuracy. Combining shot power with an accurate technique can make a player the opponent’s nightmare. 

 

Vision and Anticipation: The ability to read the game, predict moves, and understand what your teammate or opponent will do before they do it. On the field of play, you don’t only move as the ball moves, you must be able to read the game well and make anticipated the play. This gives you an edge to outsmart your opponent. 

The right proportion of all these can make a top-quality player. 

 

VITAL COACHING POINTS ON FINISHING

- You perform better if you can calm your nerves in heated moments of the game.

- You must be able to use all sides of your foot.

- Learn to balance your body to aid your shot.

- Be firm on your non-shooting foot to generate power and precision on your shooting foot.

- Understand the keeper’s positioning and how to put the ball beyond their reach.

- Target the corners. The top right corner, the top left corner, the bottom right corner, and the bottom left corner.

RECEIVE AND SHOOT WHILE SPRINTING

soccer dribbling and shooting training drill

Objective 

The objective of the drill is to enhance the player’s ability to shoot when moving at great speed as well as striking the ball when it is played to them unexpectedly.

Set-up

4 or 5 cones are placed at 2m interval.

Execution 

-  The trainer stands at the sideline to instruct the drill. When they blow the whistle, the player starts to make a forward run.

-  The players go around the cone at top speed.

-  The coach instructs any player going at a slow pace to increase it. 

-  On getting to the last cone, the coach releases the ball to the player close to the goal.

-  The player picks their spot and shoots. 

-  Repeat as instructed.

Coaching tips

The drill must be done with a keen focus on the goal and putting it past the goalkeeper even as the player reaches top speed while approaching the ball. 

 

RECEIVE, TURN AND DRIVE TO A RESTRICTED SHOT

soccer passing and shooting training drill

Objective 

The objective of the drill is to help players to improve their alertness to finishing situations during the game. Since an opportunity to score can come at any time, players must be ready to pounce.

Set-up

4 cones to demarcate the shooting line, the target spot, and the goal post corners.

Execution 

-  The trainer instructs the drill from the sideline. When they blow the whistle, the player starts to exchange passes at a very fast rate.

-  Then the coach blows the whistle.

-  The player who has the ball when the whistle goes out must approach the goal with the ball.

-  The player must not go beyond the demarcation.

-  The player has two targets. To shoot at the two rings at the goal corners.

-  Repeat as instructed.

 

Coaching tips

The drill will help the player's technique and accuracy. 

 

SWITCHING PLAY DISTANCE SHOT

soccer passing and shooting training drill

Objective 

The objective of the drill is to help the players shoot from any area outside the box.

Set-up

5 on 5. With one goalie.

Execution 

-  The trainer instructs the drill from the sideline. When they blow the whistle, the players go against themselves and make a sequence of passes.

-  At the sound of the whistle, the team with the ball must approach the red line or shoot from range.

-  The opposing team must try to prevent the team with the ball from scoring.

-  After the play, there’s a reset

-  Repeat as instructed.

Coaching tips

The drill will help the players to be very competitive and with the added pressure of a defending team, will make the finshing more game realistic.

 

2 SMALL GOAL TARGETS

soccer sprinting and shooting training drill

Objective 

The objective of the drill is to enhance the focus and finishing accuracy of players.

Set-up

Two small posts with each team lined to shoot on target from distance.

Execution 

-  The trainer instructs the drill from the sideline. When they blow the whistle, the player runs to take a shot targeting the small post.

-  Each team must try to score.

-  Another set will go after the initial set.

-  The team that scores most wins the drill.

-  Repeat as instructed.

Coaching tips

The drill will help the players shooting technique and accuracy.

 

2 ON 2 TO GOAL

soccer dribbling, defending, and shooting training drill

Objective 

The objective of the drill is to recreate a 2 v 2 situation in the attacking third.

 

Set-up

2 on 2 to the goal. The defenders defend their goal, the attackers must find a way to score under 1 minute. 

Execution 

-  The trainer instructs the drill from the sideline. When they blow the whistle, the two players that are attackers must attack the goal to score.

-  The defenders on the other hand must do everything to defend the goal and must not allow the attackers to score under 1 minute.

-  The duo that successfully completes the task wins.

-  Repeat as instructed.

Coaching tips

The drill will help the players to defend and attack 2 v 2 and 1 v 1. As well as understand the correct moments to shoot and how to create space for a shot.

null

Objective 

The objective of the drill is to recreate the intensity and competitiveness of getting into a goal scoring opportunity and beating/ defending a player 1 v 1.

 

Set-up

Set up 6 straight poles parallel to each other on both sides of the penalty box. Have defenders form a line closest to the end line, and the attackers further away from the end line.

Execution 

- The trainer instructs the drill from the sideline. When they blow the whistle, both the attackers and defenders race around the poles.

- The attacker starts with the ball, and the defender does not. The defender is not allowed to tackle the attacker until they have completed the poled course.

- Generally, the defender will complete the course first so will have a second to get set to try and defend the attacker.

- The drill is finished when either: a shot is taken or scored, or the defender makes a tackle.

- If the defender makes a tackle, the defensive team get a point. If the attacker scores, the attacking team gets a point. If a shot is taken and it does not result in a goal, no points are scored.

- Repeat as instructed.

Coaching tips

The drill will help both the attacker and the defender in game like skills. This includes 1 v 1 attacking and defending, dribbling, shooting, agility, speed, and defensive awareness.

FINISHING DRILLS

These drills will create proper game situations that give room for finishing. These drills will help the players to master situations like this and how to react and sometimes improvise. 

As well as these drills several elite coaches have explored finishing in detail to shed light on the slight margins that can give you an edge on your opponent. A recent example is UC Berkley’s Head Coach Neil McGuire’s course ‘The Art of Goalscoring’. Here Coach McGuire speaks about how your positioning, technique and shot power all combine to making you a top forward.

Live Streams and Breaking Sports News

Thursday, August 31, 2023

US Sports Soccer: How To Kick A Soccer Ball

 


Kicking a soccer ball is a generalized term that is an extensive topic. Unlike kicking in other sports such as football or rugby, where a 'punt' accounts for most of the kicks, in soccer, there are hundreds of different kicks depending on the situation.

Despite this fact, kicking a soccer ball is a factor of soccer that is not taught as in-depth as it should be. In this article, we will cover how to perform a perfect soccer kick in all situations on the field. This includes:

➢ First touch

➢ Short and long passing

➢ Putting curl and spin on the ball

➢ Power shooting 

➢ Chipping the ball

➢ Knuckle Ball

Without a strong foundation in kicking a soccer ball, the rest of the skills that you will learn later in your career will be more challenging to pick up. Luckily, you have come to the right place. After reading this article, you will have all the pieces to kick a soccer ball like the pros correctly.

1. First Touch

Undoubtedly the most overlooked skill in the game of soccer. Without a great first touch, it does not matter how good your second touch is. You would not be able to play as quickly or with as high quality if you had a good first touch. 

What does a good first touch look like?

A good first touch ultimately must set you up for success in whatever your pre-planned play is. This means it must be:

➢ Directed the way you want to pass or dribble

➢ Out of reach of defenders

➢ Out from under your feet to allow you to move and play at pace

Now the tricky part… How do you kick the ball in this situation to set you up to play how you want?

The key is to be as delicate as possible. Imagine you are playing soccer on the second story of an apartment, and you don't want to wake the person below you. You can use the outside, inside, laces, or sole of your foot depending on the way the ball is coming to you, but the idea of a good first touch is to take the pace off the ball and direct it 1-2 feet in front of your intentional stride.

How to Improve your First Touch?

Most of your soccer heroes learned the beautiful game on the street with little to no equipment. Improving your first touch can be done as simply as kicking it against a wall. Each time the ball comes back to you, you can touch it in a different direction to work both feet. As you improve, you can start to add more power to challenge your touch. From the image below, you can see the simplicity of the day and how repetition is essential.

null

If you have more players to work with, you can begin to pass the ball to each other to make the drills more three-dimensional. For example, here is Coach Michler explaining a drill that works on the technical aspects of a first touch and pass.

2. Short and Long Passing

Short passing is the most common kick in the game of soccer. It allows teams to move the ball to a more favorable area of the field. Long passing is less frequent as it serves a more specific purpose, such as relieving pressure or counterattacking. 

These forms of passing require the same focus and foundation of kicking. However, they do differ in some forms. 

1st Difference

When kicking the soccer ball for a short pass, you want to get over the ball. This means my body is tilted over the ball, and I am kicking towards the top of the ball. We want to do this, so the ball stays firm to the ground to make it easier for our teammate to control it. An ideal zone to kick the ball would be here.

null

For a long pass, you will most likely want to put height on the pass to place the ball over the head of defenders and reach your target. This means you need to aim more to the bottom of the ball. You will also need to kick the ball with much more force to allow the ball to travel further.

null

2nd Difference

The second difference between these two types of passes is where you connect with the ball on your cleat. To allow your body to get over the ball, with short passing, you will connect with the side of the inside of your foot. 

Since you are trying to get more power and height with a long pass, you should allow your chest to be more open. The connection on the ball should also be with the joint that connects your big toe to your foot. This will allow you to follow through with a motion that propels the ball upwards at about 30 degrees.

Similarities 

As with any contact with the ball, you want to plant your standing foot just to the side of the ball to allow for stability and accuracy when you pass. If you are right-footed, this will be left and the opposite if you are left-footed.

To ensure that your pass is accurate and smooth, you need to make sure that you follow through with your kick. Many people kick and stop the movement rather than following through. This harms your kick in many ways and can cause injury. 

A significant factor that many players forget is the importance of the upper body in kicking the soccer ball. As you can see with this player in the image below, his opposite arm is stretched wide while kicking the ball. This allows your body to rotate into the kick, more balance, and power when connecting with the ball.

null

Locking your ankle is probably the number one term you have heard when people talk about kicking a soccer ball. This is for a good reason. When your foot is loose and wild, there is a lower chance that the ball will go where you want it. Take control of your foot by locking your ankle to make your foot stiff like a golf club.

3. How to Curl and Spin a Soccer Ball?

Although this may sound a bit technical, it is much simpler when you know the basics. The concept of curling a ball is due to the air pressure hitting the ball as it moves at different forces. You need to hit the ball with spin and power to create this motion. This 

superb skill will allow you to avoid obstacles and impress your friends.

Inside of the Foot Curl

To create the whip of the curl, you need to stand between 90 and 45 degrees toward the ball. This will allow you to strike the ball across your body to create the curl. You also want your body to be tilted slightly to shift your weight to the side you want to curl the ball.

We want to strike the ball with the big toe joint like the long pass. However, the motion will be different, as depicted in this image.

null

For a right-footed player (opposite for left.) You want to be connecting with the ball in this area and whipping the ball back towards you to create the spin on the ball.  

To see some of the best players in the world complete this skill, be sure to check out Lionel Messi, David Beckham, or Ronaldinho.

Outside of the Foot Spin/ Curl

This skill in soccer kicking is mainly called spinning the ball because you cannot produce the whip and curl that you would in an inside foot kick. Since we are kicking with the outside of the foot, we cannot wrap our body and leg around the ball to create this curling motion.

The spin comes from the ankle joint and the foot in this kicking technique. As you connect with the ball, you want to flick your foot (right-footed players) to the right to allow the ball to spin and slightly curl that way.

null

The outside of the foot can be performed when your weight is balanced on your left foot, and you need to spin the ball around an obstacle.

4. How to Kick a Soccer Ball with Power?

A power shot is often called 'shooting with your laces.' The reason for this is to perform a shot with power; you need to connect with the ball on the laces of your cleats. This is because you can get the full force of the momentum generated by your run and backswing through the ball when you kick. Unlike the curling shot, you want everything to be linear to generate as much power. This includes your run-up and body position, which you want to be straight and lean over the ball.

As with all soccer kicks, you want to follow through with your opposite arm stretched outwards for maximum balance. When connecting with the ball, you want to connect directly in the center of the ball to ensure no power is lost by missing parts of the ball. Whether you wish to produce height on the ball or keep it flat, you can adjust your contact on the ball slightly above or below the center.

Funnily enough, the best way to learn how to kick the soccer ball with power is by trying not to kick it with power. Here is a clip that explains this concept.

5. How to Chip a Soccer Ball?

Chipping the ball is one of, if not the most challenging skill on this list, but indeed a spectacular skill to have in your arsenal. A chip is best used to avoid an obstacle in tight spaces. Whether you need to chip it over a defender's foot in a dribble, chip the ball over a defender's head to play a pass, or chip the goalkeeper to score a goal. These examples are based around the same motion but require different levels of force to cover the height.

The motion which we are talking about is scooping the ball from underneath. To execute this type of soccer kick, we want to place our foot under the ball, quickly lift our toes to the sky, and raise our legs. This will get the ball off the ground at the desired height.

6. How to Knuckle a Soccer Ball?

How to knuckle a soccer ball is one of life's biggest questions. Taking a shot like Ronaldo or Bale is a thing of beauty. As a bonus, we would like to share this clip on how to shoot a knuckleball.

Final Thoughts on How to Kick a Soccer Ball

When learning how to kick a soccer ball, the most crucial element is focusing on the basics mentioned in this article. Do not rush the process, as, without a strong foundation, there will always be mistakes when attempting more expert skills.

Check out more about fundamentals in soccer here.

Live Streams and Breaking Sports News!

Thursday, August 3, 2023

US Sports Soccer: Top 3 Soccer Passing Drills


 

  • By Maggie Fintel

There are plenty of components when it comes to playing a game of soccer. From dribbling to shooting, continuously practicing these skills can enhance your performance on and off the field. Some of these can improve individual performance, but passing can grow both individual and team skills as a whole.

Passing/possession drills can improve the team’s communication skills, attentiveness, first touch, and even their connection on and off the field. Being able to pass the ball accurately and precisely can affect the team’s performance and quality during practice and games.  If you watch professional soccer teams on television, you can see how the passing just flows so swiftly between the players. These players know precisely how and where to pass to their teammates, but they have also had plenty of practice and developed a connection within their team. Building a strong bond with your team, being focused, and lots of practice can help build strong passing skills during the game.

Coaches must implement passing drills during practices. There are plenty of drills to choose from, depending on your team’s strengths and weaknesses, and a range of variations within each exercise. With the continuous passing practice, each player will develop a new and vital skill as well as building upon that necessary team bond.

There is a multitude of different passing drills to have your team work on. Here are three soccer passing drills that you, your team, and your coach can work on during practices to perfect passing:

null

Before You Start

Equipment:                                                                                   

- 4 cones  

- 1 soccer ball (or more for variation)

- 4 players (or more for variation) 

The Set-Up:  

- place the four cones in a  10x10 grid, each player on each cone to start.

 

How It Works

- Begin with one player at each cone

- One player starts with the soccer ball at their cone.

- The player with the ball will pass it towards the cone either to the left or right of them (determines which direction you desire to start with. In the diagram above, the player is passing to the right).

- The receiver is able to use either the inside or outside of their foot while receiving the ball from the passer.

- The receiver may go behind or in front of the cone, shown as the dotted lines in the diagram above. The cone represents the “mock defender” in which the player is trying to move around.

- The receiver, once taking their first touch behind or in front of the cone, then passes the ball to the next receiver, repeating this process around the square.

 

Switch It Up

- Number of soccer balls. Adding more soccer balls can create a quick drill to challenge your players’ attention and communication skills

- Number of players on each cone. Decreasing the number of players creates a faster-paced drill or increasing to build a better team connection

- Call out a change in direction during the drill. This can help the players work both left and right feet and test their reaction skills

More Tips

- Get the players to communicate! This is a great drill to work on the team’s communication skills. The players can say “Ball!” “Here!” “Left foot!” “Right foot!” and more.

null

Before You Start

Equipment:  

- 3 cones  

  - two players 

   - one soccer ball

 The Set-Up:

- Place 3 cones in a pyramid shape, with two players on separate cones

How It Works

- One player is at the top of the pyramid with the soccer ball; the other is on either the left or right bottom cone (whichever one you wish to start with)

- The top player will pass the ball towards the player when at the cone.

- The receiver will take a touch, then pass the ball back to the top player.

- After passing the ball back to the top player, the bottom player will then sprint to the next cone to receive the ball once again.

- Repeat these steps until the time is up (approximately 1-2 minutes), switch roles from the top stagnant player to the moving bottom player.

 

Switch It Up

- Number of touches. Switch from a two-touch pass to a one-touch pass for quicker, more controlled movement

- Number of players. Instead of sprinting back and forth between cones, there can be three players on the drill to pass in a triangle structure

 

More Tips

- Make sure the receiver takes a light and controls the first touch. Do not want the ball flying around towards the opponent

- Communicate. Let the passer know which foot you would like to receive the ball on (“Left!” or “Right!”)

null

Before You Start

Equipment:                                                                         

- 8 cones

- 12 pennies (8 one color, 4 a different color) 

- 12 players

The Set-Up:    

- Make a large 20x30 rectangle

 - Create a 2x10 boundary in the center of rectangle 

- 4 attacking players and 2 defensive in each box                                                                                                 

 

How It Works

Soccer ball starts in either box with the offensive team (team with four players in each box). The defensive team has two players in each box, the rest of the team sits out for the round.

The offensive team must complete at least three passes within their box without the defenders taking the ball.

After connecting three complete passes, the offensive team’s objective is then to pass the ball to the other box without letting the defensive team take the ball.

The defenders are trying to take the ball away from the offensive team. If the defenders take the ball three times within the same box, the positions must switch (offense becomes defense, defense becomes offense).

The only way to switch roles is for the defense to steal the ball away from the offense.

 

Switch It Up

- Limit the number of touches. Limit to one-touch passing for a high-intensity game

- Adjust grid size. Make the grid smaller and tighter for quick passing or larger to work on long passes and time awareness

- Make the offensive team “loft” or “chip” the ball over the middle-dotted line area towards the other box after completing the three passes. This works on lofting skills and first touch out of the air.

 

 

Additional Videos on Soccer Passing:

Winning Soccer Vol. 5: Passing, Receiving, and Heading

Paul Riley's Soccer Moves, Skills, and Drills

Soccer Drills & Tips Video Library

World Cup Soccer with Mia Hamm

Passing is the route of all things great in soccer, so there will be aspects of passing in every drill that you do. When your players start to grasp the fundamentals of passing, you can start to progress into more tactical methods of passing. This includes positioning and areas that you want to exploit.

If you are interested in the more tactical side of passing, Coach Kadioui's course, Football (Soccer) Play Styles - Possession is a superb course.

Live Streams and Breaking Sports News!

Saturday, July 30, 2022

US Sports Training Camp: Soccer How to be A Great Soccer Coach

 

  • By Damilare Ilyiade
  •  


    The success of a coach always draws the attention of the spectators far and wide, and everyone wants to know what a successful coach is doing to be successful especially when coaching has to do with handling about 23 different players who grew up in different geographical locations and with different characters. Soccer coaching, without any doubt, is a tough job, and to achieve success, you must have a lot of love for the game.

    Coaching is much more than putting together a starting lineup or conducting training sessions. If there is any job that takes all of you, it is the soccer coaching job. A lot of coaches thriving don’t see coaching as a job, and that’s one of their reasons for success. They often see it as their life. Pep Guardiola, who is one of the greatest football (soccer) coaches, once said this “Players think about themselves while the coach thinks about them even when he is not with them.” And that’s the nature of the job of a soccer coach. You study opponents a lot, and you think about tactics; you think about the effective way of using each player, you think on how to make every player happy to ensure unity within the group, which is pertinent for success. The coach always has a lot to think about, and any lag in the job of a coach means the opponents are preparing better, which is what top coaches don’t want to see happen.

    So, whether it is a recreational soccer team for young children or a World Cup champion national team, one person that you cannot do without is the coach and to become a good soccer coach, there are a lot of things that must be put in place. One of them is your knowledge of the game. Being a soccer coach is very demanding, and it takes a lot of preparation in studying and practicing.

    Get it on Apple TVWatch on Apple TV

    Many may assume that a great player could be a great coach, but many great players have failed on the coaching platform. So being a great player helps you understand some things when you become a coach, but it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be a great coach. There is more to being a great coach; you must tick a lot of essential boxes.

    And the most important question is this, what makes a great coach?

    You must have heard several coaches being praised for how they’ve helped their players improve, how they’ve made their team play brand new football. What qualities do these coaches have? What makes them so “great”?

    Claudio Ranieri on winning the Premier League: “There are so many keys to this. Humility, the strength of the dressing room, they help each other at important moments, they play with the heart, the soul, they play 11. There was a good blend. And all these are not things you achieve overnight.

    Here are some points you should look at on how to be a good soccer coach;

    1. Be Professional

    null

    Professionalism is the embodiment of what a coach should be. The competence of a coach must be seen by all and the coach must be able to transmit professionalism that he embodies to the players and the other staff he is working with. Part of professionalism is punctuality, the coach must always arrive early at training and in games, even before the players, this way you’ll get to set up the training sessions without wasting time.

    Part of being professional as a coach is an act of taking further steps to improve your education, take time to evaluate yourself and your work ethics and be sure it’s what your team needs. Always make your players see the need to improve continuously, a coach cannot afford to leave a training ground satisfied, no matter how hard the lads have worked. Keep encouraging the lads, keep pushing them, they need that push to be the best version of themselves. Adequate preparation and Continuous education is what makes a great coach.

     

    2. Be a Good Teacher

    One important job of the coach is to teach the players how to be more effective. 

    The coach must be able to access each player’s strengths and weaknesses, and he must take it upon himself as a duty to explain basics like passing, dribbling, shooting, and tackling to the players.

    The coach must ensure that his team keeps learning and improving their skills daily. As a coach, always remember to give clear and correct instructions during the training sessions. You can’t coach the soccer players who don’t have any knowledge about the do’s and don’ts in soccer. In teaching soccer skills, remember “a picture is worth a thousand words,” so demonstrating the drills can be so much better than oral instructions.

    3. Be Friendly but also know when to be stern and demanding

    null

    The first thing that every coach must learn to establish is a great relationship with his players. Being friendly with the players helps you a lot in understanding their personality and how to get the best out of every one of them. This way, you could analyze their varied emotional and mental characteristics and develop strategies that could motivate them more accordingly. But remember you can get personal but stay professional. Friendliness is a means to an end, not an end in itself. When you are friends with someone, you won’t like to disappoint them, and that’s how you should make the players see it so they can always give their best always even though you’re their friend. Don’t go to the level where you become so friendly that you forget to be a demanding coach. Your friendliness should be a means to get top quality performances from your players. Don’t fake the friendliness so that you can get what you want, be sincere, and enjoy being with your players.

    4. Always listen to your players

    null

    Most coaches ever forget that they are humans also, and they often go to the level where they put every responsibility upon themselves. That will not only be draining, but it will shut your players out from you, and even if everyone knows you are making a mistake, they won’t say a word to you. Being the coach doesn’t mean you must always do the talking, listen more, and you’ll find more solutions. For the team’s development, ask your player’s view after every game. As the soccer coach, you must be a good listener because every person has his own brilliant ideas to share. Always encourage your players to speak out and take what they say into consideration. Make notes if necessary, and include some recommendations in your soccer session plan.

    5. Good Communicator

    null

    As a soccer coach, communication is very important. You must recognize the players’ performances and achievements; you must always be there to encourage them to do better and tell them to put more efforts when they aren’t doing so well. Commend them after every game. You must also be careful of words to use because a coach, your words are powerful, and it can have a massive impact on the players and the team in general.  Communication also includes your body language. Don’t be negative with your body language during training and matches. Even when things aren’t going so well, the players often look to the body language of the coach, always be positive.

      

    6. Development

    null

    A coach must always pay close attention to the player’s development. Each soccer player’s development is essential. As their coach and role model, you must teach them not only soccer basic skills, but also social skills like discipline, patience, determination, and teamwork. Always put as one of your goals the development of the team players.

     

    7. Team Motivator

    The coach must always be the motivator, and he must transmit positive energy always.  As a coach, you must develop activities in the training session that will help motivate each player to do better every game. Don’t forget to remind them their goals and missions on why they wanted to play soccer and create a winning team. Words of encouragement and ways for development are very useful. Understand every player and motivate them to do better even when they are doing well.

     

    8. Ensure to be Adequately Prepared

    null

    The soccer coaching job is very demanding, to enjoy the process and to avoid getting exhausted quickly, you must ensure adequate preparation. Don’t forget the perfect 5 P’s of preparation. Perfect Planning Prevents Poor Performance

     

    9. Be the perfect example for your players

    Being an ideal example to your players works like magic. Every team needs a soccer coach that is a good role model. Players need to look up to someone they think is worth emulating. Examine yourself and ensure you are that person. Live by the standards you require from your players.

    10. lastly, provide a perfect environment for everyone in the team

    The coach must always ensure to understand the atmosphere around the players at all times. Sometimes all that is needed for a great performance is a good atmosphere. Bonding is key to success, organize picnics to ensure proper bonding between everyone in the team. Don’t show favoritism to some while you sidetrack others. Let everyone in the team feel like a member even if they don’t make the first eleven selection.

     

    To Lean more about becoming a great soccer coach check out top coaches' online training by clicking the link below.

    Soccer Coaching Courses

    Nevertheless, you will need to showcase your strategic ability through tactical awareness. To learn more about this side of soccer coaching, Coach Kartashov's course: Become a Professional Soccer Coach is a wonderful course on the tactical side.

    Live Streams and Breaking Sports News!