Soccer articles
Soccer plays and playbooks explained step by step.
Corner kick routine for youth soccer
A simple corner kick routine for youth soccer: a low ball to a late near post run, a flick on, and a runner arriving at the far post to finish.
2v1 drill for soccer
A 2v1 drill for soccer where one attacker carries the ball inside, the other overlaps, and they play past whichever way the defender goes.
Counter attack in soccer
A counter attack in soccer: win the ball, play forward early, and send runners wide and through the middle before the defense can get back.
Recovery runs in soccer
Recovery runs in soccer get a team back after losing the ball: the nearest player slows the attack and everyone else sprints goal side of the ball.
Passing triangle drill for soccer
A passing triangle drill for soccer: four players and three cones, with a firm pass, an open first touch and a run after every pass.
Third man run in soccer
A third man run in soccer frees a teammate with two quick passes: one player plays in, a second lays it off, and a third runs onto it unmarked.
How to defend crosses in soccer
To defend crosses in soccer, pressure the wide player, protect the near post and far post areas, cover the edge of the box and clear the ball wide.
1v1 soccer drill
A 1v1 soccer drill to a goal with a keeper: the defender passes out, closes down and steers the attacker wide, and the attacker tries to score.
Overlap in soccer
An overlap in soccer is a run around the outside of the player on the ball, so the defending full back faces two players. How to time it and teach it.
Low block in soccer
A low block in soccer defends deep and narrow: back four at the edge of the box, midfield just in front, the middle closed and the wide areas given up.
Pressing drill for soccer
A 3 v 2 pressing drill for soccer: two defenders wait together for a trigger, then one presses the ball and the other cuts off the nearest pass.
How to switch play and open up the other side
When the defense has shifted to one side, switching play moves the ball quickly to the other side, where there is space to attack.