TIps

Practice on your own or with friends

Here are some tips you can do on your own. That could be juggling, playing the ball against a wall (someplace without windows), dribbling (make your own slalom course) and maybe some physical fitness too.

Wall Ball: knocking the ball against a wall gives you the chance to practice several skills.
• Passing (Put an X on the wall and try to hit it with your pass. Vary your distance from the wall and your angle to the X.)
• Receiving (As the ball comes off the wall control it with different parts of your body: inside of the foot, thigh, top of the foot etc.
• Heading (See how many times you can head the ball against the wall without it touching the ground. How about trying the same things as you did in passing, but now with headers?)
• Shooting (Hit the X. Try some shots off the ground and some when the ball is in the air.)
• Throw-in (Hit the X.)
• Goalkeeping (Try different types of throws and hit the X.)
• Goalkeeping (Try out different catches as the ball rebounds from the wall. Vary the height of the ball.)

Tips on Passing
• Point the toes of the foot you are standing on towards your target
• Keep the knees of both legs slightly bent
• Keep the ankle of your kicking leg locked so that your kicking foot is steady
• Lean slightly forward to keep the path of the ball level
• Keep your eyes on the ball

Tips on Receiving
• Get your body in line with the path of the ball
• Keep the knees of both legs slightly bent
• Relax the body part receiving the ball upon contact with the ball
• Exhale
• Keep your eyes on the ball

Tips on Heading
• Get yourself in line with the flight of the ball
• Keep the knees of both legs slightly bent
• Strike the ball with the forehead at the hairline
• Keep your mouth shut with your tongue and checks out from between your teeth
• Keep your eyes on the ball

Tips on Shooting
• Approach the ball at a slight diagonal angle
• Point the toes of the foot you are standing on towards your target
• Lean over the ball
• Point the toes of your kicking foot down and curl them back inside of your shoe to make a firmer striking surface of your foot (like making a fist)
• Keep your eyes on the ball

Tips on the Throw In
• Stand with your hips facing where you want the ball to go
• Firm grip on the ball with the tips of your thumbs just touching behind the ball
• Hold the ball with your fingertips
• Follow through on your throw for improved accuracy and distance

Tips on Keeper Throws
• Hold the ball comfortably in your hand and release it off the fingertips
• Stand with your hips facing where you want the ball to go
• Keep knees of both legs slightly bent
• Keep your head steady and facing your target
• Follow through on your throw for improved accuracy and distance

Tips on Keeper Catches
• Get your body in line with the path of the ball
• Watch the ball all the way to your hands
• Keep your knees and elbows slightly bent
• Spread your fingers as wide as you can as you catch the ball for a safer grip
• Relax and exhale as you catch the ball and absorb it

These are taken from the US Youth Soccer "A Players Guide."