Soccer: Drag and Push

Work in pairs. Defender passes the ball to the player practicing the skill.

The skill in this practice is that the player taps the ball with the instep of one foot onto the instep of the other foot for the ball to be taken wide of the defender the attacker runs past the defender and continues to run to the opposite cone.

Plant the standing leg to the side of the ball, bring the kicking leg back and then forward, as if kicking the ball.

Using the inside of the "kicking foot", drag the ball backwards and accelerate into the space behind.

Position players in 2 lines on each side of the area as shown in the diagram. Number each player from 1-6.

This game is a throw back to the Disney classic, Bedknobs and Broomsticks. The coach calls out a number between 1 and 6. The numbered player from each team must run around the outside of the field and through the goal at the top or bottom of the diagram onto the field of play.

The coach serves a ball into the middle of the area. Players must compete to win the ball and attempt to dribble or shoot the ball through the goal at the opposite end of the area from which they entered.

Player A passes to player B and closes Player B down. Player B attacks Player A.

Use the lateral drag with sole and push back to deceive the defender and beat them on the outside.

Player B passes to Player A to restart practice.