Posted from the Rossville Area Youth Soccer's Newsletter.

The following is the second part of a five part series provided by one of the top collegiate soccer coaches in the nation: former Indiana University’s head coach and hall of fame coach Jerry Yeagley. Enjoy.

Ball Control

In the last issue Coach Yeagley asked “What is YOUR potential? FIND OUT!!” Only through repetition can you find the “touch” you will need in the beautiful game of soccer. The following are some training exercises that will lead you, the dedicated player, down the right path.

JUGGLING – Warm up

A. Consecutive touches on feet
B. Consecutive touches on thighs
C. Consecutive touches on head
D. Around the world: Ten consecutive touches on each body part as follows: right foot, right thigh, head, left thigh, left foot, and back around = 1 lap. How many laps can you do?

(If you do at least one, Coach Wilson will give you a pair of soccer shorts!)

E. Functional Juggling:
a. Juggle on the move varying speed and direction.
i. feet
ii. thighs
iii. head
iv. any combination

b. Three taps low – one high
i. Receive and continue juggling
ii. Receive and dribble ten yards – repeat
iii. Utilize all body parts including shoulders, outside of foot, etc.

c. Same as above except jump to meet the ball while receiving.

d. Ball lifts – create your own, challenge yourself

e. Partner/Group Juggling
i. Vary the number of touches
ii. Play HORSE
iii. Mirroring – must receive with the same body part that passed the ball
iv. Soccer tennis/volleyball

FAST FOOTWORK

A. Coerver exercises (see www.dprsports.com/drills/moves.htm)

B. Step ups: stationary (1 minute bouts – count the touches)

forward (20 yards)
backward (20 yards)
sideways (20 yards)

C. Pendulum: passing the ball from the inside of one foot to the other

forward (20 yards)
backward (20 yards)
sideways (20 yards)

D. Rollover: sole of the foot
inside (20 yards)
outside (20 yards)

DRIBBLING, MARKING AND TACKLING EXERCISES

A. Keep away – one on one – one minute concentrated repetitions

B. One on one to a goal – count the number of goals. (The goals can be any objects t-shirt, line, box…)

C. Creative dribbling – concentrate on change of speed and change of direction. Develop deception with body fakes and ball fakes (Coerver moves). Use imagination be creative.
KEYPOINT

Remember the game of soccer breaks down to many one on one situations in all parts of the field. The team that wins the majority of these confrontations generally will win the game. Challenge players to 1 v 1 who are better than yourself and when you no longer can find any better players you have arrived!