It is widely known that soccer is one of the most beloved sports in the world. It is important to learn these skills as young athletes in order to succeed at this sport. These three skills are essential for young soccer players in the U9-U11 age range to be an effective player.
1. DRIBBLING
If a soccer player does not know how to dribble, they cannot play. The most fundamental and important skill in soccer is dribbling. Dribbling is the ability to move the ball through the air and control the ball. Dribling is used to defeat the opponent, accelerate to space and avoid pressure. You should learn how to dribble well.
• Make gentle contact (called “touch”) with the soccer ball
• Always keep the ball close to your feet
• Use the edge of the foot to dribble galloping
• Practice changes in your dribbling pace
• Use your body to protect the ball when defender gets close
• Practice an inside-outside dribbling drill through cones with both feet
2. PAUSE
A key part of a soccer match is passing the ball to your teammates. Properly passing the ball to teammates is an important skill all soccer players must learn early. The greatest ball-handlers are the ones who play the best soccer. There are three types of soccer passes available to you: chipped, standard and lofted. These soccer passing tips will help you master the skill.
• Develop vision so that you can see potential passing time
• Master all three soccer passes
• Try passing more to be more effective on the pitch
• The faster you pass the ball, the less time your opponent gets to interrupt you
• Put correct pace on the ball while passing it to your teammate
3. RECEIVING
How well a player can receive the ball will determine his/her ability to play soccer. The player with the best first touch will get more time to dribble, shoot and score. It is not the same thing to touch the ball in the air as it is on the ground.
These are the best tips for receiving a ball from the ground.
• Keep your eye on the ball and choose which foot to receive the ball with
• Receive the ball with one foot with ankle locked
• Don’t just stop after receiving the ball. Prepare for your next move: shoot, dribble or pass
These are the top tips for receiving a ball from the air.
• Keep your eyes on the ball and read the speed and direction of the ball
• Decide which part of your body (thigh, head, foot, or chest) you will use to control the ball
• Receive the ball and cushion it with the body part to slow it down. Preparation for the next move.