by Andre Botelho

Created on: December 17, 2009   Last Updated: February 05, 2010

Imagine a scenario where 50% of the soccer coaching drills should adopt development of trapping skills as their focal point. You would probably dismiss it as a fancy. But you know what! According to a study, in addition to dribbling and passing, trapping too plays a vital role in helping teams win matches.

Trapping is the ability of the players to intercept the ball and then keep it near their body. Such soccer exercises allow players to use thighs, feet and chest in doing so.

Players must be familiar with the job of trapping the ball. If not, they will never really be in control of the game because everything else comes after trapping the ball. Below mentioned methods can be used to teach trapping skills to the players.

Engaging the feet: Firstly, train your players in using their feet to deal with the ball which is a basic skill. Kids soccer drills should predominantly include practicing the kids on use of the inside of their foot. The fact that the inside area of the foot is large makes it easy for the players to hold the ball.

During soccer coaching drills, the high ranking and senior players should be educated on the use of foot, its crown, and instep of the foot plus the whole foot. Train your players to adopt the strategy to apply ankle or shin to catch hold of the ball when it is jumping a lot.

Thigh Movement: A thigh is very useful in controlling the fast and bouncy approaching ball. Instruct the players to get in front of the ball, stand on one feet and rise the other thigh to stop the ball. Most importantly, practice dropping your knee once it connects with the ball for the ball to drop down and stay with you rather than getting away.

This activity has to be practiced regularly in order to become an expert at it by first using the knee to catch the ball and then bringing the knee down to prevent it from getting away.

Use the Chest: You can also use your chest to trap the ball that is high up in the air, just like your thigh. Make the players stand in front of the ball and then ask them to take their chests out as if to confront the ball. The ball will therefore loose its pace immediately and drop down right away to the feet.

Nevertheless, soccer training drills should be careful not to expose young players too much to this skill. It is natural for them to use their hands in dealing with the ball while attempting to use their chest. This can prove to be dangerous as the kids might develop a habit of using their hands while tackling the ball.

Now its time to start putting these soccer coaching drills into action. Make the players practice these more and more.

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