Football: keeping the ball

i currently run a u13 boy footballs team. What would be a good drill to get the players to shut the ball down.Because my defenders seem to stand back and let them shoot thanks dennis

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and Sportplan's team of Experts.

Where can I find good pre-match warm ups?

Hi I am a assistant coach for our under 12yr old team and wondered if anyone can help me with coaching tips for our goal keeper. I have covered all of the ones on the web page but need coaching tips for jumping techniques as our goalie is quite short and needs to gain balance Many thanks Andy

Hi all, I've just started coaching a soccer team of 4 and 5 year olds and would like to discuss with my fellow coaches any drills which you have found to be safe, fun and valuable to the younger age group. I have my level 1 course under my belt and have difficulty in applying what I've learnt to the small kids. They get bored very quickly and are only interested in playing a match at the end of the session. They have no interest in passing the ball or shooting at goal whilst doing drills. Running with the ball is no problem as they are keeping active and all have a ball at their feet. As soon as they line up or have to share a ball, there are problems. I have a variety of drills which I run through with them, traffic lights, robin hood, alamo, sharks and fishes to name a few with variations of each but I crave more as everywhere I search caters for U6 upwards. I coach an U8 side midweek and have no problem with these lads as they are that bit older and have a greater level of concentration. (not by much mind). So I'm asking for advice from anyone who has coached 4 and 5 YOs and would like to know what has worked for you. PM replies welcome.  Marc

what is the best way to get a 10 year old girl to start diving in goal? we have a diving mat but i think its a mental block thats stopping her from reaching her potential. many thanks %3A)

can I get ideas or suggestions on how to approach this topic. I need drills, games etc.

I am a coach with a U12 girls team, we are having difficulty keeping them in their zones...they all rush to where the ball is and the other team passes into the open area and then socre.

Every time my get the ball they will always kick it long and give straight to the time where as they need to gert it and pass. Can any one help?

Team keep getting thrashed every week - where to start? Having been the sole coach/manager of a little league team for the past two years, this year I lost all my senior players. I was therefore presented with 10 brand new lads, some of whom have never played competitive football. We are 8 games in and my lads are getting thrashed every week. The main problems are that they cannot get the ball out of their half, positions are usually a mess, finishing and chance creation are non-existent, and they don't apply any pressure or are unable to tackle. The main problems are keeping the ball as a team, getting it in the opponents half and staying there, and creating/finishing chances. I only have 1 and a half hours a week with them. I don't really know what to do, and I'm a little desperate. Does anybody have any advice? Thanks for literally anything.

What is the best warm up routine for U9 boys before a game? Thanks Coach Heath

I am currently coaching a disability team and I'm looking for new and inventive possession drills that the kids will enjoy and not get bored of quickly, any help on this would be fantastic!

I need some drills to show my team how t keep their head up when dribbling with the ball without the drill being boring for them because when I try the traffic lights drill or something like that they switch off really quickly but I'm also trying to teach them that when someone passes the ball to them they always look what's around them before they get the ball and I want to know if their is any drills I can use

Best way to improve junior team in possession of the ball? To dictate the speed of the game

Newer program, my kids for the majority play panic soccer, and just send the ball downfield. Any advice how to get them into a mindset of building the ball out and maintaining possession?

I want to get my team to play possession football but some players, especially defenders get very panicked on the ball and seem to be unable to retain possession. Anyone got any ideas of how to change this?

Team keep getting thrashed every week - where to start? Having been the sole coach/manager of a little league team for the past two years, this year I lost all my senior players. I was therefore presented with 10 brand new lads, some of whom have never played competitive football. We are 8 games in and my lads are getting thrashed every week. The main problems are that they cannot get the ball out of their half, positions are usually a mess, finishing and chance creation are non-existent, and they don't apply any pressure or are unable to tackle. The main problems are keeping the ball as a team, getting it in the opponents half and staying there, and creating/finishing chances. I only have 1 and a half hours a week with them. I don't really know what to do, and I'm a little desperate. Does anybody have any advice? Thanks for literally anything.

hi i coach a under 10's boys team.i am looking for help.unfortently we are not the best team around!all my player,s have not been playing long so we are a long way behind other teams we play i am trying to build conferdence on the ball at present they just wak it aways give up the balli am new to coaching and was wondering am i doing the right thing or should i be doing something else with them.

I am a coach with a U12 girls team, we are having difficulty keeping them in their zones...they all rush to where the ball is and the other team passes into the open area and then socre.

Newer program, my kids for the majority play panic soccer, and just send the ball downfield. Any advice how to get them into a mindset of building the ball out and maintaining possession?