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.
101 Youth
. Soccer Drills
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Malcolm Cook
101 Youth
Soccer Drills
Also available from ReedswJin Inc.
101 Youth Soccer Drills
Age 12 to 16
Malcolm Cook
ISBN" Hl90946-23-O
Soccer Training Drills - 6th tlitio1'l
Games, Drills and Fitness Practices
Malcolm Cook and Nick Whitehead
ISBN # Hl90946-2o.Q
101 Youth
Soccer Drills
Malcolm Cook
Reedswain Inc . Spring City, PA
This cdition publishcd in 1999 in the lJnited States by
Rct:tiswain Inc., 612 Pughtown Road, Spring City,I'A 19475
Published by special arrangement with
A & C Dlack (Publishers) Ltd
3':; Bedford Row, London weiR 4)11
Copyright 1999 by Malcolm Cook
Standard Book Number: 1-89094<i-222
Lihrary of C..ongress Catalog Card i>lumbcr: 99-{)70331
All rights I't;."Servcd. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a
rctrieval or transmitted in any form or by any mt:ans, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying:, recording or otherwise, "-ithom the prior
permission of Reedswain Inc.
Acknowledgements
Cover and textual photogf:lphs courtL'SY of AUsport {JK Ltd.
lIIustrations on pages 11 - 13 by JeanAshley.
All other illustf:ltions by Sue Dods.
Prinkd in Great Britain
RF:EOSWAJN VIDEOS AND nOOKS, INC.
612 l>ughtown Road' Spring City, I'ennsylv.lnia 19475
1-800-331-S 191
www.reet.bwain.com
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements 6
Foreword 7
Introduction 9
Chapter I
Practice Organisation 11
Chapter 2
Warming Up 17
Chapter 3
Dribbling and Running with the Ball 28
Chapter 4
Passing the Ball 40
Chapter 5
Shooting at Goal 57
Chapter 6
Heading the Ball 73
Chapter 7
Crossing and Finishing 95
Chapter 8
Goalkeeping 106
Chapter 9
Warming Down 122
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
There are several people who I would like to thank for their help in the
production of this book. First, my valued friend Christine Holmes for her
kindness and sheer professionalism in proofreading and typing the
script, and within the deadline - I could not have done it without her.
Second, thanks also to Cheryl Rose at A & C Rlack for her continual
support, and last, but not least, to Lcs Kershaw (Youth Academy Director,
United Football Club), who was instmmental in the develop-
ment oCthe club's excellent youth scheme, for honouring this book with
his foreword. Finally, best wishes to all the coaches who work with young
players, wherever you arc - your work makes a difference and is vitally
important to the future of our great game - good coaching!
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FOREWORD
Les Kershaw bas been involved with England soccer clubs since the
1970s, working as a scoul/or coaches and managers such as Malcolm
Allison, Terry Venables, George Graham and jim Smith. In 1988 he was
invited by Alex Ferguson to become Chief Scout at Manchester United
Football Club, and was involved in the signing of young players such
as David Beckham, the Neville brothers, Paul Scholes, John Curtis and
Terry Cooke. Most recently, he has been involved with the development
of the Football Association Academies Reserve Leagues.
Malcolm Cook's third book for the soccer market is timely with the
advent of the Football Association Academies for the coaching and devel-
opment of young soccer players. Very little literature on soccer has been
dedicated to primary school children, who have tremendous enthusiasm
and a capacity to learn new skills.
Anyone involved in developing young soccer players, from primary
schools, junior dubs, Centres of Excellence through to Academies, will
find this book useful. It gives a logical series of practices in all the basic
techniques, without the need for specialised or expensive equipment.
The pr.t<.:tices are simple, but effective, and cater for all abilities. David
Beckham, for example, gained exceptional skills in soccer by practising
these kinds of techniques when he was a young player. His free kicks,
crosses, and long and short passes arc now acclaimed worldwide.
In Youth Soccer Drills Malcolm has successfully brought together his
vast experience as a soccer coach and teacher in an easy-ta-follow and
practical manua1. I recommend this book 1O both experienced and
prospective coaches, and anyone with an interest in developing young
soccer players.
les Kershaw
Youth Academy Director
Manchester United Football Club
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INTRODUCTION
This book is designed to support the coach, teacher or parent, and aid
them to obtain the best results from their practice sessions with young
foot bailers. There are a number of hooks available on coaching methods
and technical skill acquisition. However, the main aim of this book is to
provide a comprehensive programme: of varied, realistic and education-
ally sound drills for young players which will help them to improve
progressively.
There is little attempt to tdl the coach how to coach, for each one will
employ his or her own unique style and charJ.cteristics that will,
naturally, affect the learning of young players. I have noticed that some
books containing drills afC impractical and not designed for the parti-
cular age groups that are supposed to be lIsing them. In this book I have
attempted to provide the coach with a supply of practical and functional
drills in a simple format which takes into account the growing needs of
youngsters between the ages of 7 and 11 yeats. Young players at this stage
arc curiolls, enthusiastic and constantly on the go. They learn to become
more co-ordinated over time, and lhe wise coach will allow them to
experiment and play down the competitive element - they need plenty
of variety as they learn new skills.
The players will learn to improve their skills, have fun and develop
good social habits through the constant use of the drills. The role of the
coach, teacher or parent is to provide the support, guidance and en-
couragement for young players to maximise their potential. I hope thb
book achieves what it s.:ts out to do, and becomes a tried-and-tested tool-
kit of practical resource material for the coach in the years ahead.
It should be emphasised at the begulling that although we use the
word 'he' throughout the book, this is only for convenience. It does, of
course, also refer to female players, who also give so much to the sport
and are developing all the time in their own right.
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