Soccer Practice Games: The Truth About Winning Tactics

What if I told you that players aged above 11 years should be ready to play soccer practice games on a large field? Hearing this, you might be assuming that I’m insane but believe me, the dynamics of soccer as a game are changing radically. This is what I am referring to. The sports ground should have a length of about 100 yards and width of about 60 yards. The dimensions of the goal post should also be somewhat like 8 feet high and 24 feet wide. All the official rules of soccer game shall be applicable at this level.

Whenever three additional players i.e. a forward, a midfielder and a defender are included to form a third dimension, a change in their roles is called for. It implies bringing the newly added players into set plays, an extended role of the goalkeeper, and a series of system plays.

When in comes to individual skills soccer exercises must lay more emphasis on technical skills. These include long passing, heading, and individual movement with the ball. Making long passes will now become simpler for players because of their height and their good built.

This ability of players brings in loads of diversity to their attacks. Therefore you must always encourage them to make the long passes without losing the possession of the ball. Some of the benefits offered are as follows.

1. The capacity of the players to throw in longer passes also lets them change fields instantly. 2. Long passes also help the players cross the ball from wing positions thereby making the cross a shaky tool.

Heading, is one skill that requires a special mention at this level of soccer practice games. Players of this age group have generally conquered most of their fear related to the skill of heading. Help them understand that if they are able to head the ball well, they shall be able to retain the ball longer and also have more opportunities to score.

The range of individual movements for creating spaces with the ball should spread out at this level. When executing the soccer drills, players should concentrate on finding new ways to work with speed, direction, and level with the ball, along with developing their own tactics.

With the players maturing to this level, they develop the tendency to practice offensive tactics and use them as and when required. It is exactly opposite when they work as defensive players.

However, it's necessary at this level that players realize that they have responsibilities of both offensive and defensive players. By designating them as defenders or offenders, you're just identifying the player for the purpose of balance and spacing on field.

Now that you know what clicks, help your players start soccer practice games in training sessions. These will make them skilled enough to take on any opponent at any time. If you would like more information on youth soccer, become a part of our youth soccer coaching program that has a lot of articles, newsletters, videos, and other resources on youth soccer.

Andre Botelho is the author of "The Expert Youth Soccer Coaching Guide" and he's an expert in the subject of Soccer practice games. Tp explode your players' skills and make coaching fun in less than 29 days, download your free Soccer Training guide at: Soccer practice games.