If you are like me, you probably believe that young players enjoy the game most when they are scoring goals. When planning your practice schedule, you can include youth soccer drills that offer numerous opportunities to players to score goals.
Use small sided games, full field scrimmages, and shooting drills to create opportunities for them. In order to encourage players to score goals, try to introduce variations in small sided games and full field scrimmages in performing kids soccer drills.
You can also include games that don’t involve a goalkeeper or restrict the movement of the goalkeeper within restraining lines. The probability of players scoring goals is also increased by adding more goals or enlarging the ones that are already being used.
When young players improve in their shooting technique and the tactical knowledge about the shooting techniques, the chances of goal production are increased manifold. Similar to passing skills, players should be trained in shooting techniques as well at the beginner’s stage. These can be then emphasized more strongly at the later stages of a player’s development.
In youth soccer practice, using drills to advance shooting skills is the most efficient method. Shooting drills play a major role in effectively scoring goals by way of developing shooting skills of the players. Nonetheless, its better that a player’s shooting skills grow with time.
Several youth soccer drills can be planned in away that they develop the player’s shooting skills in the sequence given below;
1. A stationery player kicking a stationery ball.
2. Stationery ball shot by a moving player.
3. Moving ball being shot by a stationery player.
4. A moving player shooting a moving ball.
In youth soccer coaching, players should be taught how to strike the ball properly while shooting. Most players frequently take shots from a close range using the inside of their foot. The leads to enhancement in the shooting abilities.
Where the situation is such that strength is required to hit the ball, teach the players to use the instep of their foot to strike the ball. Their toes should point downwards and the ankles must be locked.
The elevation of the shoot is affected by the placement of the non-kicking foot. Ask the players to put their non-kicking foot a little ahead of the ball. This will keep the shot to the ground. Ensure that the players focus on striking the ball. You can remove everything that distracts the players such as moving players and balls.
As the players improve their shooting technique, raise the difficulty level in the practice games. For example; when their shooting competence improves, serve balls at various levels and speed.
Now get out there and start including youth soccer drills relevant to shooting in your daily practice sessions with the players.
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Tags: kids soccer drills, youth soccer coaching, youth soccer drills, youth soccer practice