Hello Families/Players! 🎉
Welcome to Week 1 of our exciting soccer season! We’re thrilled to embark on this journey of growth, learning, and fun. This blog is your go-to spot for weekly practice material, skills focus, and some handy tips for both our young stars and supportive parents.
Week 1 Focus: Dribbling Basics 🌟
Dribbling is the foundation of soccer, allowing players to navigate the field and take on opponents. This week, we are diving into the basics of dribbling and ball control. Our objective is to ensure each player feels confident with the ball at their feet.
For Our Young Stars 🌠:
Here’s what we’ll be focusing on:
- Home Practice: Dribbling basics. Let’s get those balls rolling!
- Training Focus: An introduction to dribbling and maintaining ball control.
- Game-day Target: Successfully dribble the ball and maintain control during the game.
Check out these vids:
Home Practice Drill: Dribble Around Cones đźź :
- Setup: Place five cones in a straight line, about 2 feet apart.
- Drill: Dribble the ball in and out of the cones using the inside and outside of your feet. Try to keep the ball close and under control.
- Tip: Start slow, then gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable.
- Goal: Build confidence in ball control and improve close-quarter dribbling.
Now we are going to step it up with these exercises, notice how the player is focused on getting it right and not focused on speed. When training/practicing, make sure you practice the right technique – As I shared 1,000,000 times with my oldest Son, its always about ‘Technique and timing’!
Parents Corner 🏡:
- Encouragement is Key: Applaud every effort and celebrate every success. Small words of encouragement can boost confidence enormously.
- Stay Involved: Spend some time practising with your child. It’s a wonderful way to bond and show support.
- Create a Positive Environment: Constructive feedback is more beneficial than criticism. Focus on what’s being done right and provide gentle guidance on areas of improvement.
Equipment Suggestions đź’ˇ:
- A Soccer Ball: Size 3 is ideal for our young players.
- Cones or Markers: These are great for marking dribbling paths.
- Comfortable Sports Wear: Suitable for all weather conditions.
- A Water Bottle: Hydration is crucial, especially during physical activities.
Best Practices:
- Consistent Practice: Regular, short practice sessions are more effective than occasional long ones.
- Focus on Fun: Enjoyable activities will keep the kids engaged and willing to learn.
- Positive Reinforcement: Praise effort and progress to build confidence and encourage improvement.
Closing Thoughts:
Week 1 is all about focusing on the skills as a foundation. Each of the team are fair dribbles, this is about getting them to be great dribblers, WITHOUT watching the ball.
Dribbling is an essential skill, and we want to make sure every child starts building this skill with fun, practice, and positivity.
We’re looking forward to seeing the progress during our training sessions and witnessing the kids applying their new skills on game day!
Keep practising, stay positive, and let’s make this soccer season an unforgettable experience! ⚽🌟
See you on at training (TBA)!
Warm regards,
Murray Slatter
Tigers
