If you are like me, you probably understand the importance of incorporating free soccer training drills that teach every player in your team to throw the ball in. In performing youth soccer drills, nearly 70 per cent of throw-ins are foul throws and the other team gets the possession of the ball.
To overcome this issue it is essential that all the players in your team learn how to perform throw-ins correctly and get the possession of the ball right away. This would catch the defense unexpectedly and would highly increase the probability of keeping the possession of the ball and thereby letting the player go behind the defense and make a run for the goal.
All that is required to teach the players to get the ball back into play quickly is some simple actions and moves, performed correctly at the U-10 level and below.
While performing free soccer training drills, some soccer coaches tend to rely only on one or two players to take all throw-ins. These kind of players are named as designated throwers. Obviously the designated thrower is the most exhausted player in the game. This player needs to fight his way up and down the sidelines and also across the field in order to make a simple throw in.
Now one more time I would restate the fact that all the players out there playing need to be encouraged to throw the ball in. Often, when the ball goes out of the boundary, a quick step forward can help it come back in to play, but the coaches do not allow this to happen. Now when this player objects, he learns that he/she not being a mid-fielder is not permitted to take the throws and the midfielders take throws only.
While coaching drills make sure that each of your players touches the ball each time possible. This quick move, apart from giving a chance to score, also has long term impressions which are far beyond the win-lose theory. With young players, games may last only 50 or 60 minutes. Hence not too much of the time should go in placing the ball back into the play.
Soccer coaches play a vital role developing strategic awareness among the players, by stressing upon quick throws as compared to those who don’t. In football dills, as the usual defending against the unexpected restarts would not be practical for teams who defend against designated throwers, the defendant team has about 20 to 30 seconds to get back behind the ball.
Coaches who really care about preparing young players for a higher level of play should take time to train their players. After every beginner has learnt the way to perform correct throw-ins, the ball could be moved back to the field so that the kids can play.
Skills, game knowledge and stamina vary according to age; be careful during free soccer training drills, not to overburden the players with difficult to achieve tasks. To get the maximum benefit of our program, you should consider subscribing to the youth coaching community you will receive helpful resources and articles, periodic newsletters and videos in order to properly coach your youth players.
Andre Botelho is known online as “The Expert Youth Soccer Coach” and his free ebooks and reports have been downloaded more than 100,000 times. Learn how to skyrocket your players’ skills and make practice sessions fun in record time. Download your free ebook at: Soccer Coaching.
Tags: coaching drills, football drills, Free soccer training drills, soccer drills