There's a pass, a player reaches for it, and it's slightly too far in front. The player runs onto it, making it just in time, and attempts to turn. By then, a defender has moved across and closed down her next move.
This often occurs in youth soccer. The player has learned to pass and dribble, but if the first touch pushes the ball too far away, the next move is a lot more difficult.
Of course, you get better at controlling the ball through practice. Controlling the ball improves with practice, but players also need time to get comfortable with the ball and think about their next move before it arrives. Parents looking for a soccer camp for kids near me san jose want lots of touches.
It Begins Before the Ball Reaches the Player.
Watch a game closely and try to see what players are doing immediately before the ball gets to them. Some are looking around the field. Some are watching the ball over their shoulders until it arrives and then they identify where the other players are.
Maybe that second is all you need.
Plus, the best place for a young player to begin is by:
a) looking around as fast as they can
b) noticing the pass as it arrives
c) selecting a direction that might be useful.
They will be wrong often, that's fine. The goal is to build the habit of looking up; not the occasional attempt.
The first touch also needs a purpose. Sometimes the player should bring the ball under control and keep it close. At other times, a gentle touch into open space can help them move away from pressure. A touch that sends the ball too far may hand possession to an opponent; one that is too small may leave the player stuck.
This is far more realistic if your players can practice receiving passes from moving team-mates and defenders, rather than always passing to the same place.
When the Basics Feel Awkward
For the beginner, it's very hard to control the ball. They are trying to dribble in a line but one touch is way too much and the other touch is not enough. They get to the cone but then find it hard to turn without losing the ball.
There is no need to hurry.
Dribbling over short distances, quick stops and starts, close control, light passing, receiving the ball at different angles - all help children to understand the ball's behaviour. Initially the coach can tell them to concentrate on one thing like keeping close control over the ball at first, then as confidence grows another challenge can be added.
Parents searching for a soccer camp for kids near me san jose might also want to know how much time players will spend with a ball. If kids are spending most of their time in lines, they're spending less time practicing and making mistakes.
A child may need several tries to stop the ball cleanly. Another may manage to stop it but struggle to turn afterwards. Both children need opportunities to repeat the movement, receive a helpful hint, and try again.
The Same Skill Feels Different With a Defender Nearby.
A player can come in and out of a row of cones and have no problem then have the ball taken off them by an opponent. The cones do not move, the defenders do.
This is where they have to be so much better at holding onto the ball. They need to be able to defend the ball, find spaces and determine whether to turn, pass, or run forward.
Coaches can add this component over time. Coach in open space with gentle pressure then have the player execute the skill in a small sided game. This gives the player a chance to connect all the pieces of the movement before they have to respond to another player.
A soccer camp for kids near me san jose that includes game-like activities can help young players use their skills in realistic situations. It is not to have every single drill for kids be a challenge. It is to give them an opportunity to use the skill in the type of context in which it is required.
For example, if a player continues to have a heavy first touch when a defender gets close to them, a coach can assist the player by changing the angle of the touch or body position of the player protecting the ball. The player then gets another opportunity to work on that same problem.
That feedback is definitely easier to implement than 'try to control the ball better.'
Don't Forget the Other Foot
Young kids will all tend to use their most reliable foot whenever possible, this is common. Sometimes, mainly if they are very young, this can be limiting when the ball is played to the other side of them or a defender covers the side they want to run down.
You don't even have to start with such a powerful shot as that which you usually take near the goal, nor with the delicate shot, which calls for finesse and control. Practice: short passes on a wall, touches between cones, turns.
Initially, the movement may feel slow. That's part of learning. Once comfortable, the exercise can be developed to include movement or a teammate.
This is not about how to instantly become balanced on both feet, it's about offering the athlete a backup plan when it doesn't go as planned.
There are others that can have this done in a group class. There are also others who might require more of a private attention. The parents who are in search of private soccer lessons near me can inquire if the coach will evaluate the playing style of the player and will adjust the exercises to the problem he/she has.
What Makes Practice Worthwhile?
Simple to tally how many drills a player finishes. More meaningful to observe if they are clear about what they are working on.
A player who continually loses the ball when turning might have to slow his or her speed down and concentrate on foot placement. A player who never controls the ball first and it goes behind them might have to re-angle the body before receiving the ball. Doing the same drill repeatedly without noticing the problem won't get the desired results.
For parents searching for a soccer camp for kids near me, Mogility Soccer offers training in ball mastery, first touch, dribbling, turning, and one-on-one skills. Players require repetitions and work with the ball and then can focus and apply these skills with other players where the ball or the situation aren't always predictable.
Practice isn't always as smooth as you would hope. A player can execute a certain move with ease in a drill, then have the ball taken away from them in a game these days. That doesn't mean the practice session was meaningless.
Parents can check in, "what did you work on? What felt hard?" rather than, "how did the whole session go? What can you do better?" This offers children time to reflect on themselves, and choose something for the coming week.
Choosing Training That Fits Your Child
Think about the issue as you choose a camp. Does your child dribble the ball well but tend to push it too far out in front? Do they need to get a couple of touches before passing? Do they handle themselves in practice but become overwhelmed when a defender gets close?
These questions may help you differentiate between programs. Check whether the coaches adjust their training to suit different skill levels of players and whether players receive individual evaluations and if there is an increase in drills from practice to playing in real life.
When looking for a soccer camp for kids near me san jose, I’d check how much time children actually spend practising with the ball and whether the drills suit their level. Higher-level players need lots of touches, work on a weaker foot and get pressure.
That first touch will only ever be a second but what a player does with that second can possibly be the next pass, buy space or hold onto the ball. With patient coaching and a little bit of practice that moment can become the next pass.
FAQs
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The player will be able to control the ball and get ready for his next move after doing this.
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Through proper training in ball passing, ball reception, dribbling, and turning.
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Yes, since they are already working on some basic exercises in order to develop their ball control.
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By using it for short passes and ball touches.
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Yes, because practicing in a certain routine will allow players to develop and improve their skills in the context of the game.
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They may be very beneficial for the player.
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Gradually building the skills through regular training.
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Look for good training and proper ball control.
