Principles of Teaching Techniques
Manny Sanchez, TN Soccer Executive Director
USSF “A” License, NSCAA Premier Diploma, UEFA “A” Intermediate
Editor’s Note: It is often good to get back to basics. Here is a quick refresher course for coaches to use to prepare their team technically.
Players must have a solid foundation upon which to build before they can reach the next level of development. Teaching proper technique is a must for coaches working with young players. The coach can have the best intentions in the world, but re-enforcing bad technique or habits can be counterproductive in the development of our players. Bad habits, which are developed from repetition of bad technique, get harder to correct the more entrenched they become.
The old adage “practice makes perfect” is slightly off the mark when it comes to technique. In reality perfect practice makes perfect. The key is to repeat proper techniques. Proper fundamentals are necessary for developing good technique. If we get our players to repeat the techniques in a proper way over and over, they will start to form good habits that are fundamentally sound. This is definitely a key to creating good sound habits that will become second nature.
The purpose is to improve the player’s technical ability and present them with activities, which will provide the repetition necessary to raise the level of individual proficiency and their comfort with the ball. Increased technical ability and better understanding of principles of play will help our players reach the next level in their development. But we must remember that this will not happen without a solid foundation. That is why it is so important that coaches know what to look for in teaching techniques.
Below you will find the principles of technique for heading, dribbling, passing, receiving and finishing/shooting. Utilizing these principles in conjunction with creating a perfect picture for them to see will help in getting the players on the road to creating good habits. I hope this will help the less experienced coach who might not have played the game in teaching proper techniques to younger players.
Heading Principles:
| • | Chin in, mouth closed, keep neck firm |
| • | Attack the ball – don’t let the ball hit you |
| • | Contact the ball just above the eyebrows or forehead |
| • | Arms help to propel the head forward as well as aid to balance |
| • | Use legs and back for power – arch and uncoil |
| • | Foot action – rocking motion, back foot to front foot |
| • | Timing of jump is very important, make contact with ball at the highest possible point of the jump |
Finishing Principles:
| • | Accuracy is the key – finishing is merely passing the ball into the goal past the goalkeeper |
| • | Power is determined by the speed of the foot at the point of contact and the technique used |
| • | Body alignment – whenever possible, head and kicking knee over the ball and hips and shoulders square to target |
| • | Non-kicking foot placed comfortably beside the ball – toe pointing to the target |
| • | Eyes kept on the ball at the moment of contact, on approach to goal take a quick look up and pick out target – then focus on ball |
Many players try to look at the target while making contact with the ball
| • | Keep head still throughout the follow-through |
| • | Follow through – ankle remains firm, toe down and follow through to the target |
| • | Do not try to over hit the ball. Many players swing so hard at the ball that they usually swing around the ball and mis-hit it badly |
Passing Principles:
| • | Eyes on the ball at the moment of contact |
| • | Non-kicking foot beside the ball: don’t reach for ball |
| • | Ankle locked on kicking foot |
| • | Follow through ww target |
| • | Inside-of-the-foot pass: Toe pulled up at a 90-degree angle; to keep the ball low, strike the ball at the midline or above |
| • | Outside-of-the-foot pass: Toe pointed down; strike across the ball toward the target. |
| • | Instep drive: For long passes in the air make sure that the player is making contact with the ball below the midline. When trying to drive the ball with less air under it, players should not follow through up into the air with their kicking foot. |
| • | Practice passing with both feet at all times |
| • | Emphasize the importance of pace and accuracy |
Receiving Principles:
| • | Go to the ball to be in a position to control early |
| • | Prepare to receive the ball by opening up to the field |
| • | Position the body directly in line with the flight of the ball and determine the surface to be used for controlling the ball |
| • | At the moment of contact with the ball, the part of the body contacted is relaxed and gives slightly to kill the momentum of the ball |
| • | Keep the ball close. Don’t stop the ball completely. Guide the ball in the desired direction. The first touch must be constructive to prepare for next move (first time pass, dribble etc.) Use the various foot surfaces (inside/outside/sole) to redirect ball as it strikes foot. A bad first touch will result in losing possession |
| • | Before the ball arrives, know the position of your opponents and teammates. The player should be thinking ahead: What will I do when I get the ball? |
Dribbling Principles:
| • | Lean forward and over the ball |
| • | Knees bent, on the balls of feet |
| • | Use inside/outside and instep of both feet |
| • | Be creative, use imagination – develop own style |
| • | Change speed and direction: tight control v. open field |
| • | Look up as much as possible |
| • | Use body to shield/protect ball |
| • | Don’t be afraid to fail, take risks in offensive third of the field |
Dribbling: A Crucial Component
Matt Robinson
Dribbling: A vital technique for young players to develop, a crucial component of any team’s attack, and a technique that is worthy of a specific training session. Most coaches would agree that that inclusive statement accurately describes the technique of dribbling. How to transfer technique into skill is the crucial coaching question.
With an effective training session, a coach can make a difference with the individual players as well as the team. Through training, players can improve their individual skills and improve their tactical decision-making skills. As these physical and mental skills develop, the team will evolve into a more dangerous and intelligent attacking force.
This article will offer a logical progression of a training session devoted to dribbling. Ideas offered by members of the NSCAA National Coaching Staff are incorporated in the article, and the training session follows the progression that is emphasized in the NSCAA Coaching Academies. The training session focuses on the three types of dribbling – possession, speed and attacking – and will evolve from the warm-up...
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