Games of Knowledge

knowledge | July 26, 2010

If you are a football player then you know that agility plays a large role in your performance on the field. From youth football leagues to the NFL, agility drills are an integral part of any training regimen. Agility is one area where players can invest time and almost always see great results.

Muscle flexibility is one of the most significant signs of an agile player. A player that can move quickly, turn sharply and move explosively is considered to be an agile player. You can transform yourself into one of the most agile players on the field with time, dedication and a few particular drills.
There are many different exercises that can improve the way a football player moves. Some of these exercises require equipment like ladders, ropes and cones. Here are some exercises that are sure to improve your agility before the next time you step on the field.

Shuttle Drill 
Designate a number of different spots to run. These spots should differ in distance ranging from 20 yards to 100 yards. Run as fast as you can to the first designated spot. Jog back to the starting spot. The minute you reach the starting spot turn and sprint to the second spot that you have designated. Turn and jog to the spot you started at once again. After reaching the starting spot, turn immediately and run to the next spot. You should not stop running this drill until you feel that you cannot possibly run one more yard. This drill is designed to increase stamina and to teach trainees how to control breathing. The quick turns will also increase agility.

Run the Ladder
This is one of the most common drills used to increase stamina, stepping and agility. A variety of equipment types can be used for this drill, including ladders, tires, ropes and stakes. A ladder is usually placed on the ground and players are required to run through it by only stepping once in each section. Players are forced to bring their legs higher and take further steps when tires are used. Numerous variations of these drills can be used like making players sidestep through the ranks of the ladder. The options are endless.

Figure Eight
The figure eight agility drill is one of the most elementary drills used. It requires three similar objects like cones. Space each object an equal distance from the other. These are usually placed about one to two feet apart. Players start at one end of the objects and are required to run a figure eight through the objects as fast as they can. Once a player reaches the end of the three objects they must turn around and run back through them. This drill can be done as a relay with two teams or as a timed drill. Players can really increase their stamina and agility skills by running figure eights for set amounts of time, like 30 seconds.

Regardless of the drills you decide to incorporate into your football work, improving your stamina and quickness will make a huge difference on the football field.

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Tags: Agility Drills, agility ladder, Cones, Exercises, football, Football Player, Legs, Muscle Flexibility, nfl, Plays, Ropes, Shuttle, Signs, Sprint, Stamina, Time Dedication, Tires, training, Training Regimen, Variations, Variety, Youth Football Leagues

knowledge | July 24, 2010

Free soccer drills

I don’t know a thing about you, but I’ll bet that there are many coaches out there struggling to find effective and free soccer drills for their players. It basically means that they are looking for such drills that the kids can perform all by themselves by just using the ball.

The drills which do not require any equipment are of great help to kick start the training program. You know why, because these soccer exercises are specifically designed to suit the player’s age , learning potential and the role he plays in the team.

One must teach this drill to the players: To dribble the ball and at the same time, be conscious of what is going on around them. This drill has been successfully used by many coaches, and I can guarantee that it is so much superior than getting your players to dribble through cones.

The players may find this particular drill rather demanding but it is this competitive nature of this drill that ensures player’s wholehearted participation in soccer practice.

Soccer Drills

I’ll definitely guide you through this.

To begin with, mark a square of about 20 yards by 20 yards. And this depends on the number of players and their age.

One should position the players evenly alongside the square. All the players should face inwards and every player should have a ball of their own.

As soon as the coach whistles, each player will dribble the ball to the opposite side and stop on the line opposite to them. This is better than the rest of the free soccer drills because this coaches the players to dribble across the square with their heads up and at the same time not disturbing the other player’s movement in the square.

To add more fun into the drill, make the players dribble across the square and back again, compelling them to turn 180 degrees with the ball. The number of times the players have to dribble the ball need not be constant and that can be varying. At end of every run, a player is eliminated and this continues until only one player is left.

Also, as the number of players decrease, feel free to introduce the concept of running with the ball rather than dribbling the ball.

It is possible to have good fun teaching the vital techniques of ball dribbling to the kids. To make the players like the training, one can mix tough and light drills in the training. Nevertheless, some drills are added just for fun.

The one thing that should never forgotten in soccer coaching is that the kids shouldn’t do too much of anything.

Trust me when I say this, When you start applying these free soccer drills in your training programs , you will see for yourself how quickly the kids can learn the essentials of the game.

Also, our youth soccer coaching community is full of such knowledge in the form of articles, newsletters, videos etc. Become a member today and get the leading edge.

About the author

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: Free Soccer Drills.

 

Category: sports games | No Comments »
Tags: Better Than The Rest, Coach, Cones, Dribble, Free soccer drills, Soccer Coaches, soccer coaching, Soccer Exercises, Soccer Players, Soccer Practice, Whistles, Wholehearted Participation