1. The Need for Speed
Game play is soccer stops only for fouls, injuries or if the ball goes out of bounds. Soccer players must be able to run for the entire 45 minutes in a game's half at varying speeds. Forwards and midfielders need to sprint to receive passes while attacking the goal, while defenders have to hustle to get to the ball before the opposing striker. Every player on the field, with the exception of the goalkeeper, must be able to transition from a jog to a hard sprint without losing a stride.
2. Zig and Zag
In addition to changing their speed, soccer players need to change direction quickly. A fullback who is sprinting forward needs to easily transition to running backward because turning your back on the ball is rarely an option. Strikers need to fluidly move from side to side in order to lose defenders and create scoring opportunities.
3. Cone Aid
Soccer cone drills improve a player's agility by forcing controlled side-to-side movement. Set up a line of four cones about 3 yards apart. In between each of those cones, place an additional cone 3 yards to the right. Sprint from one cone to the next, bending down to touch each cone before you move on to the next one. You should take quick side-to-side steps rather than facing each cone while you're running toward it. To work on changing direction, place two cones 20 yards apart. Place another cone in the center of those two cones about 3 yards to the side. Start at the center cone and jog backward to one of the end cones. Once you reach the end cone, sprint forward to the other end cone, then jog backwards to the center cone.
4. Follow the Leader
A follow-the-leader agility drill allows players to practice losing their mark as well as marking an opposing player. Set up a box that is approximately 20 yards by 20 yards and pair the players up. One is the leader and the other is the follower. The leader should zig and zag through the box at varying speeds in an attempt to lose the follower. The follower should try to keep no more than 2 yards from the leader at all times.
5. Stretch it Out
Quickly changing directions can be hard on muscles, knees, ankles and hips. It's important to take time to stretch both before and after practices and games, especially in cold weather. Adequately warm up before participating in any agility training.
Game play is soccer stops only for fouls, injuries or if the ball goes out of bounds. Soccer players must be able to run for the entire 45 minutes in a game's half at varying speeds. Forwards and midfielders need to sprint to receive passes while attacking the goal, while defenders have to hustle to get to the ball before the opposing striker. Every player on the field, with the exception of the goalkeeper, must be able to transition from a jog to a hard sprint without losing a stride.
2. Zig and Zag
In addition to changing their speed, soccer players need to change direction quickly. A fullback who is sprinting forward needs to easily transition to running backward because turning your back on the ball is rarely an option. Strikers need to fluidly move from side to side in order to lose defenders and create scoring opportunities.
3. Cone Aid
Soccer cone drills improve a player's agility by forcing controlled side-to-side movement. Set up a line of four cones about 3 yards apart. In between each of those cones, place an additional cone 3 yards to the right. Sprint from one cone to the next, bending down to touch each cone before you move on to the next one. You should take quick side-to-side steps rather than facing each cone while you're running toward it. To work on changing direction, place two cones 20 yards apart. Place another cone in the center of those two cones about 3 yards to the side. Start at the center cone and jog backward to one of the end cones. Once you reach the end cone, sprint forward to the other end cone, then jog backwards to the center cone.
4. Follow the Leader
A follow-the-leader agility drill allows players to practice losing their mark as well as marking an opposing player. Set up a box that is approximately 20 yards by 20 yards and pair the players up. One is the leader and the other is the follower. The leader should zig and zag through the box at varying speeds in an attempt to lose the follower. The follower should try to keep no more than 2 yards from the leader at all times.
5. Stretch it Out
Quickly changing directions can be hard on muscles, knees, ankles and hips. It's important to take time to stretch both before and after practices and games, especially in cold weather. Adequately warm up before participating in any agility training.
