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Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Soccer Practice Games:5 Sure-fire Winning Tactics

When it comes to Soccer practice games, players aged above 11 should be ready by this age to play in a relatively larger play ground? You may think I’ve gone nuts but it’s necessary for you as the game’s requirements have changed drastically. This is how it should be. The dimensions of the play ground should be roughly 100 yards long and 60 yards wide. The goal post should have an approximate height of 8 feet and 24 feet of width. Every single rule of the soccer game otherwise applies at this level.

Whenever three additional players i.e. a forward, a midfielder and a defender are included to form a third dimension, a change in their roles is called for. This means lengthened role of the goalkeeper, the use of additional players in set plays, and a range of systems of play.

Soccer exercises should emphasize on the technical skills more in relation to developing individual skills. These consist of heading skills, individual movements of players, and long passing skills. Now the players will be in a position to make long passes because of their height and toughness, not possible earlier.

Lots of variety gets added to the player’s attack because of this special ability. Thus, you need to continuously motivate your kids to maintain the custody of the ball while still making long passes. There are a few benefits which are given below.

1. The ability of the players to make longer passes also allows them to quickly change fields. 2. Long passes also help the players cross the ball from wing positions thereby making the cross a shaky tool.

Heading, is one skill that requires a special mention at this level of soccer practice games. Players in this age group are not scared of heading. Help them understand that if they are able to head the ball well, they shall be able to retain the ball longer and also have more opportunities to score.

The array of individual movements for creating spaces with the ball should increase at this level. When performing the soccer drills, the players should focus on finding new ways to manipulate speed, direction, level of the ball and along with other techniques.

As the time passes by, the players develop a knack to practice offensive tactics and play as offensive players as and when required. It is an exact role reversal when they are elected as defensive players.

But the players should not forget that at this level, they must perform both the roles with equal ease. The purpose of electing them as defender or offender is merely to even out things on the field.

Now that you are armed with this information, go ahead and encourage your players to start practicing soccer practice games in training sessions. These will make them so skilled that they will be able to take on any team anytime. If you would like more information on youth soccer, become a part of our youth soccer coaching program that has a lot of articles, newsletters, videos, and other resources on youth soccer.

Andre Botelho is the author of “The Expert Youth Soccer Coaching Guide” and he’s a recognized expert in the subject of youth soccer coaching. Learn how to explode your players’ skills and make coaching sessions fun in less than 29 days! Download your free pdf guide at: Soccer Training Tips.

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