By Mike Smith
Pele famously stated, “ There are no tactics without technique”. And while a skillful debater could argue the advantage of tactical awareness and application, Pele’s words still prevail. From a developmental stand point, I boil down the idea of technique into one aspect, first touch. “It”, i.e. success, all comes down to that first touch and how the first touch sets up the remaining progression for the team. I’m sure most of us have seen good touches equal successive good touches and bad touches equal successive bad touches, as touch is many times contagious either way. This lesson provides a quick, simple and fun session players can use to build their first touch, using only the penalty box.
Lesson 1
Good Roll on the Ball
Set-Up
As shown in the diagram, set your players up in pairs inside the 18. One line of the pairs will be at the top of the 18 and the other line will be at the top of the 6. Each pair will have a ball. The pairs start passing the ball between themselves, focusing on accuracy and weight, or as one of my old coaches used to say, “ putting a good roll on the ball”. This stage is two touch. After 5 to 7 minutes, the line on the 6 steps back to the end line increasing the passing distance for another 5 to 7 minutes. The groups should gradually increase the pace on the ball, but never sacrifice accuracy. On the coaches signal, the line on the 18 moves up to the 6 and the pairs hit close one touch passes. Do this for 5 minutes and then set the lines back in their original positions and continue one touch passing for a final 2 minutes.
Coaching Points
The coach should patrol the perimeter assisting the players on technique as well as encouraging the players to keep the ball moving accurately and meet the challenge of perfect touch at each stage for the entire drill.
Lesson 2
Make it a Game
Set-Up
Use the penalty box as the field. Place flags for goals at each wide end ( as shown ) and add keepers. A scored goal must enter through the flags but also under their height as well. Keepers can use their hands in their half but must distribute the ball to another player after a save. Players play inside the box 6 v 6. Depending on the amount of players available, teams can have subs or 3 or 4 teams can rotate in as goals are scored with the scoring team staying on. If I have teams rotate in I use quick 5 minute games. Here is the catch – there are only 2 balls available. The coach or neutral sends the ball in to the designated attacking team to start the match. The pass in is free. After the pass is in, it is free soccer. Should there be a tie in this game ( when rotating teams in ) the designated attacking team stays on. IF ( when ) the ball goes out, the LAST person who touches it ( even off deflections ) must immediately go get it and HAND it back to the coach before re-entering the game. There are no throw ins, kick ins or goal or corner kicks. All out of bounds balls are restarted by the coach serving in the remaining ball immediately after the ball in play goes out of bounds.
Coaching Points
Coaches should encourage the players to take advantage of the times when they have numbers up by using their numbers through passing and movement instead of forcing 1 v 1 play. The confined space offers numerous teachable moments but almost by default will help players improve their first touch.
By Mike Smith
Currently the Head Coach for University Heights Academy Boys Soccer in Hopkinsville, KY , Mike is in his 14th year as a high school head coach with 23 years coaching experience overall and 34 year as a student and fan of the game. He holds a USSF D License.
