Skills Videos

5 & 6 Year Olds:

Speed Dribble and Score Under Pressure

How many times do you see a player have a 1 v. 1 opportunity against the goal keeper ONLY to lose control of the ball before having the chance to put it in the net? We do a practice game called "Go Score" where we teach our players to speed dribble using the top of the foot/outstep going full speed with a defender trying to chase him down. Your child can benefit like these SLC grads so that when they find themselves with that 1 v. 1 chance they'll know just what to do and put the ball in the back of the net.

Shooting Progression using the "3-Step Instep Drive"

How successful your young player is at delivering clutch performances in his Free Kicks, Corner Kicks, and Penalty Kicks is often determined by quality practice and good kicking technique. This technique begins at young ages, and at The Soccer Lessons Company we can get your child started off on the "right foot." Watch our recent Soccer Lessons Company graduates deliver some pretty nice instep drives.

1-Step Shooting Progression using Instep Drive

This "1-Step Shooting Drill" looks identical to the previous when EXCEPT for one thing: In this drill we are working on a more powerful INSTEP DRIVE (contacting the ball on the shoelace part of the foot). Again, by isolating the most critical last step to allow the player to develop the good habit of planting the non-kicking foot beside the ball so the striking foot can contact the correctly. Watch our young players hone their scoring skills.

1-Step Shooting Technique Progression with the Inside of the Foot

Nothing is more frustrating than watching you son/daughter miss an easy scoring opportunity in a game. Well I can tell you this--he/she DIDN'T MISS ON PURPOSE! Consistent, accurate shots begin with sound shooting fundamentals and we practice these every lesson at The Soccer Lessons Company! Close range shots are most accurate when a player uses the "inside of the foot." In this "1-Step Shooting Drill," we isolate the most critical part of the shot. The last step where the non-kicking foot is planted beside the ball so the striking leg can contact the ball with good form. Watch our young players hone their skills.

SLC "Give & Go" Passing, Receiving, & One Touch Scoring" Drill

Watch our SLC graduates work "Give & Go" passing, receiving, and one touch scoring. This is a critical exercise because not only does it teach young players the fundamental skills of passing, receiving, and one touch scoring by striking a moving ball--it also starts to develop the thought process of teamwork and the benefits of attacking the goal without the ball.

SLC "One Touch" Fundamental Passing & Receiving Drill

Watch our recent SLC graduates perform the "One Touch" Passing & Receiving Drill. While 5 & 6 year olds aren't "big passers" by nature, mastering this drill lays a foundation for not only passing and receiving technique, but it also enhances the young players ability to collect loose balls and take over possession, thus creating scoring opportunities as well.

SLC Progressive Ball Mastery Drills with Basic Passing & Receiving

Watch our recent SLC graduates perform our Progressive Ball Mastery Drills as well as practice some passing and receiving. Many of these drills come from the World Famous Coerver Coaching Method. Picture the competitive edge your 5 or 6 year old will have through learning these dynamic ball mastery skills with The Soccer Lessons Company. These skills are the foundation of creativity and ball control, and have proven to maximize a young player's potential to shine in league play. See the results for yourself and make sure your child doesn't miss out on the chance to develop these core skills with The Soccer Lessons Company. Category: Sports Tags:

SLC Stationary Ball Mastery Drills

Watch our recent Soccer Lessons Company (SLC) graduates demonstrate some of our Stationary Ball Mastery drills. A big part of our 5 & 6 year old program, these drills teach young players how to maximize their ability to maneuver the ball using various parts of the foot. When the ball becomes an extension of the foot, your young player will have the competitive edge when dribbling through traffic or when he/she needs to make a move to beat an opponent in a game situation.

3 & 4 Year Olds:

Playing "Roll and Score"

In this exercise, we are teaching our young players to score by kicking a moving ball into the goal. To maximize practice time and eliminate downtime, we give each player and one of his parents 3-5 balls. On the whistle, the parents roll the ball to toward the goal and our young soccer players run after the ball with the goal being to kick it in the goal while it is still moving. This is harder than it looks, but an essential skill for young soccer players to learn

Playing "Go Score"

ONE OF OUR FAVORITE SOCCER LESSONS COMPANY GAMES for 3 & 4 year olds is called "GO SCORE!" Every player has a ball, every player dribbles the length of the field, and EVERY PLAYER SCORES! We do this 4-6 times in a row every practice. You can watch it once here and see how valuable this can be!

One HUGE disadvantage of an actual game (though we still do play short scrimmages) for 3-4 year olds is at this young age most of the kids get left out. Most children rarely have the opportunity to dribble the length of the field and score because someone who is bigger, faster, or more skilled steals the ball from them. The other obvious disadvantage of long games is there is only ever one player with the ball getting touches, while the others get frustrated and discouraged. Quite frankly, at this age children don't understand why, which often leads to children learning to dislike the game before they ever give it a chance.

Scoring Practice

balls per player, multiple goals, maximizing practice kick opportunities vs. standing in lines.

Dribbling and Passing

An all-time favorite, young players practice their dribbling skills, passing at a moving target, and kicking skills. Lots of touches, lots of FUN!

Dribbling and Tricks

Watch our 3 & 4 year old students working on ball control and changes of direction, which we call "tricks" for our little players. Notice everyone has a ball and children are on task and getting lots of touches.