YOUTH TRAINING

Drill less,
play more!
Part 3: Match-character training for game action speed by Hermann Bomers

In part three of our series, Hermann Bom- In today’s soccer, defenders try to outnumber comprehensive repertoire of skills so they can
ers focuses on game action speed and their opponents around the ball and put choose the tool they need to succeed in any
presents two practice games for each age pressure on the ball carrier. With a well- situation. Unexpected moves that take oppo-
level (basic, intermediate and advanced). coordinated defense, this wall becomes nearly nents by surprise offer the best chance of suc-
impossible to crack. There’s no point in prac- cess. However, these skills are acquired not
A basic prerequisite for winning soccer is the ticing set movement patterns, as no two through drills, but by playing practice games.
ability to instantly make decisions that move game situations are alike. What’s needed are This is true at every age and ability level.
your team closer to its objective. This ability fast, appropriate reactions to sudden and un-
is known as game action speed. expected interference. Players must develop a

AGES SIX TO 10
1 The great wall 2 Bring the ball back
Goal 1

Goal 2

Setup Setup
• Mark out a centerline on a 6 x 10-yard field. • The coach stands inside a 2 x 2-yard goal zone in the middle of a
• Set up one mini goal on each endline. 15 x 15-yard field.
• All players take the field with one ball each. • All the balls (two for every three players) are in the goal zone as well.
• The coach moves back and forth along the centerline. • Players move about the field.
Sequence Sequence
• Players shoot at alternating goals, which means they must run past • The coach throws the balls out into the field.
the coach between shots. • Players try to win the ball, protect it from the other players and drib-
• If the coach succeeds in touching a ball, the dribbler must run a lap ble into the goal zone (one point).
around the field. • Who can score the most points in six minutes?
• The player who scores the most goals in eight minutes wins.
Note
Note • Adjust the level of difficulty by changing the number of balls (the
• Players must learn to recognize when they can safely cross the centerline fewer the balls, the harder the game).

1 SUCCESS IN SOCCER May 2008

 YOUTH TRAINING

AGES 10 TO 14
1 Moving goals
Setup
• Mark out a 15 x 25-yard field.
• Divide players into two teams.
• Each team chooses two players who form a moving “goal” by holding
a pole or rope between them at hip level.
• The “goals” are on opposite endlines.
Sequence
• Each team tries to score on its own goal.
• Goal players move back and forth, trying to open up shots for their
teammates.
• Which team can score more goals in 10 minutes?
Note
• Attackers and defenders must get used to having goals in different positions.
• Provide extra balls to avoid delays.

2 Pass to the captain

Setup
• Mark out a 20 x 30-yard field divided by a centerline.
• Divide players into two teams. Each team chooses a captain, who
wears a third color.
• The captains are in opposite halves.
Sequence
• Players try to play the ball so their captain can catch it. Captains must
stay inside their own halves, while their teammates are free to move
about the field.
• If a captain catches the ball, he immediately throws it into the other
half.
• If the ball goes out, a new ball is rolled in and play continues. The
new ball may not be rolled to a captain.
• The first team to complete five passes to the captain scores one point.
Then teams pick new captains.

MODERN YOUTH TRAINING: DVD SERIES

DVD: Playing and Practicing with Five- to Six-
Year-Olds. 102 min., $29.99
DVD: Playing and Practicing with Six- to Eight-
Year-Olds. 104 min., $29.99
DVD: Playing and Practicing with Eight- to 12-
Year-Olds. 94 min., $29.99

Set of three DVDs $74.99

To order please contact: SUCCESS IN SOCCER,

phone 1-888-828-4263 (U.S. only), 1-505-889-3680,
fax 1-505-883-4577 or visit our website www.successinsoccer.com

SUCCESS IN SOCCER May 2008 2

YOUTH TRAINING

AGES 14 TO 18
1 Scoring touchdowns
Setup
• Mark out a 20 x 40-yard field.
• Mark a two-yard-long touchdown zone behind each endline.
• Divide players into two teams.
Sequence
• Players try to score by passing so that a teammate can catch the ball
and set it down in the touchdown zone.
• Scoring passes must be flighted balls, i.e. the ball may not touch the
ground beforehand.
• After the ball is set down, it goes to the other team, which starts a new
attack.
• Which team can score more points in 15 minutes?
Note
• Limit the amount of time players can show for passes in the touchdown
zones.

2 Attackers v. defenders
Setup
• Mark out a field (size depends on number of players).
• Set up one goal with goalkeeper on each endline.
• Divide players into two teams (offensive and defensive players, except
both goalkeepers are defensive players).
Sequence
• Offensive players try to score on either goal. They score one point for
each goal.
• Defensive players try to prevent shots. If they win the ball, they play to
maintain possession.
• If the offensive players fail to score within three minutes, their oppo-
nents score one point.
• Who can score more points in 15 minutes?

SIS TRAINING CARDS: SHOOTING

Soccer Training Cards 1 Soccer Training Cards 2
Shooting Training I Shooting Training II
This set covers youth training for This set offers you new shooting/
6- to 12-year-olds. Sequence: Technical finishing exercises for advanced youth
Shooting Training, Shooting and Tech- and amateur training. Sequence: Complex
nique, Basic Tactical Shooting Training. Tactical Shooting Training, Conditioning,
90 cards with a storage box and an infor- Motivation, Position Specific Shooting
mational booklet Training. 90 cards, storage box, booklet
$ 29.99/ £13.00/€19.50. $ 29.99/ £13.00/ €19.50

For the U.S.: Three plastic pouches to protect your cards. And a set price for 1 and 2 of $ 49.99
To order please contact: NORTH+SOUTH AMERICA: SUCCESS IN SOCCER, phone 1-888-828-4263 (U.S. only) or 1-505-889-3680, fax 1-505-883-4577,
or visit our website www.successinsoccer.com