Exercises › Technique

Ball mastery in pairs for the youngest

• 10 min
• 2–12 players
• 3v3
• 5v5
• Technique & Skills

Pair exercises for the youngest (about ages 6–8) that train ball feel, balance, cooperation and concentration. The tasks grow from simple to harder. 1) Both balls at the feet: push the ball to your partner with the sole and roll the partner's ball back across your body with the sole, switch ball. Same leg throughout, switch legs now and then. 2) As 1, but pass with the inside of the foot instead of pushing with the sole. 3) Push the ball with the sole and roll the incoming ball across the body with the sole of the other foot. Alternate legs and change direction after a few repetitions. 4) One player holds a ball in the hands, the other has a ball at the feet moving between the legs. When the partner tosses the ball into the air, the player pushes the ball with the sole. 5) Three balls: two at the feet and one tossed through the air between the players. 6) As 4, but with a bounce pass by hand that the player meets with the inside of the foot. Source: Pro-soccerdrills.com (YouTube).

What the coach should look for

• Soft touches and balance.
• Cooperate and talk to your partner.
• Head up, away from the ball.
• Increase the difficulty only when it goes well, and have fun.

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