For movie clips and discussion of common soccer feints - (click here)
For movie clips and instructional GIF's of Basic Soccer Tactics and Simple Combo Play- (click here)

"StrongSoccer" commentary-

The days are gone that most soccer playing kids can find pick-up games just down the street. Our spread out life-styles in widely separated subdivisions and the concern about our children's safety, has all but killed most neighborhood games.

BUT we have to figure out a way to incorporate some soccer skills learning at home!

We all know the basketball kids who are shooting baskets day and night. We have seen the Dads shagging baseballs with their kids in the street, every evening. The 10 year old tennis players are often banging the balls against their garages, and the young competitive swimmers are going to 4 hours of practice each and every summer day! Don't forget the 9 year old hockey kids who strap on rollerblades and practice their slapshot till long after dark, with icetime at 5:00AM the next morning.

Competitive soccer players have to join this club!

There simply is not enough time in two short weekly practices to teach, rehearse and refine the vital soccer skills, and then begin to address tactics, combo play, and team concepts. It boils down to this......

If soccer is your child's primary sport, and they intend to compete at an elite level, then they simply have to learn, and refine and polish their skills at home, between practices!
It shouldn't be "work"...
It's FUN!

Fortunately, motivation is not usually the problem. (If it is, then that may be a sign that playing soccer at this more competitive level may not be what they really want.....which, of course, is completely all right.

Lots of skills can be practiced right in your driveway, a small backyard, and even your basement or family room. And yes, sometimes it does take just a little push in the right direction, as well as convincing parents to make time. It's a great way to spend some quality time with your kids before those difficult teenage years!! Even if you have never played the game, there is lots that you can do to help, by tossing and passing balls or reading flashcards etc. (When you can't help, consider "bribing" an older sibling with extra "car" time or fewer chores, if they help out for awhile.)

OK, we don't have to go crazy about this and practice these skills until the leather comes off the ball. I think about 20-30 minutes twice a week would work wonders! And if you ever get a chance to help organize a neighborhood game, by all means do it. (I'm always inviting the local kids over for a backyard match complete with gatorade, popsicles and snacks galore).

I strongly recommend building a rebounding wall, or getting a kit, or perhaps sacrificing the old garage door. (Just think how good that new one will look when you get it in a couple of years......) A good rebounding device can provide a lone player thousands of touches, chest balls, thigh traps, head flicks, half volleys, full volleys and wicked shots. In fact, I would venture to say that in this era of limited neighborhood games, the players without rebounders will lag behind in learning their touch. Furthermore, when practicing penalty shots it will keep more balls out of your neighbors petunias.
Please check out the rebounders available from my affiliate sites.

Here are some soccer activities that are easy and fun to do around the house:
-Juggling contests.

-Penalty Kick Shootouts.

-Old MLS style Shootouts with 5 seconds to score.

-Set up targets and knock them down with passes and shots.

-Flash Card Feints. Make a flash card deck of a dozen or more fakes, call them out and time how long it takes to get through the deck doing moves with each foot. Shuffle the deck and go again. You can do this in the basement on rainy or cold days. Throw toys or pillows around as obstacles to fake around.

-Goalie Wars. Set up 2 goals and go at it 1 vs 1 (with 2 players), or even 1 vs. 1 vs. 1 (with 3 players etc.). The twist is that everyone is a goalie when they are within a few feet of their own goalmouth.

-Throw In Golf. Make up imaginary golf holes around the yard and count the number of throw-ins it takes to get to the target. For example, "throw down to the car, go left around the rake, go left again at the trash can and hit the dog....(just kidding)

-Soccer Golf. The same as Throw-in Golf but players use their feet.

click here for the The Franklin® Tournament soccer rebounder - with bungee cord recoil.	Please browse these selections: -Scrimmage Vests -Rebounders -Portable Goals -Ball Bags -Clip Boards -Instructional Videos and DVDs	And visit these sites for soccer equipment, DVD's, tapes, gifts, clothing and fun stuff- -The SportsAuthority -TodoFut Soccer -SoccerVault.com -CollegeGear.com Check out the absolute best training DVD's from Charlton Athletic's youth development program!! (Click Here)	click here for the Vogelsinger "Dribbling and Feinting" video - a classic! Also strongly consider his tapes on Ball Control and Kicking! Only - $9.99!!!
	Advancing the Skills DVD

	Here is my personal favorite, the Vogelsinger "Dribbling and Feinting Video". This is a must for coaches and interested parents. His Kicking, Heading, and Ball Control tapes are excellent as well.They all start with elementary motions but quickly progress to the complex. Go to their selection of "Books/CD ROMs/Vidoes.
	Sports Authority has a nice selection of training videos including the Vogelsinger Tapes. The site also offers an awesome amount of soccer equipment, including goals, rebounders, jerseys, pinnies, bags and accessories. My personal favorites are the "numbered" practice vests, (they're just plain cool!...) (Kid's love 'em & I want Beckham's old number 7....) Go to their section on "Scrimmage Vests".	Numbered Practice Vests
The SportsAuthority	Check here for competitive prices on a variety of soccer coaching supplies. If you do not have a rebounder for your team or backyard, now is the time to get one! SportsAuthority will have it at your door in about 5 days. Choose from several different sizes and styles.	Please browse these selections: -Scrimmage Vests -Rebounders -Portable Goals -Ball Bags -Clip Boards -Instructional Videos and DVDs
	Visit Todofut for a incredible selection of "everything soccer". Where else can you get a River Plate home jersey and a Brazil National team watch? Or how about a Real Madrid scarf and a Team Mexico leather jacket? Es increible! Y no muy caro! If you ever need a gift for a soccer playing nut, here is the place! Now somebody tell my family before X-mass.....	River Plate home jersey.
	Check out CSoccer Vault This is a site devoted to the soccer enthusiast with an enjoyable selection of gifts and a pretty decent selection of soccer training DVDs and videos.	Premier League Own Goals and Gaffs! Watch this absolutely hilarious collection of goof-ups by the best in the world. Show your kids that even the pros make mistakes!
	Check out CollegeGear.com. Once again, this place is an awesome site to get that gift for someone who is tough to buy for..... including yourself! It's not soccer oriented but they have a tremendous selection of clothes and school related stuff.	Wisconsin Badger Golf set.
	Check out Soccer.com Lacross.com Here is an up and coming web store for soccer related equipment and fun stuff. I like their MLS jerseys and they are well stocked with clothing and equipment from around the world. Browse their huge inventory including a wide selection of instructional tapes,DVD's and books.	Chicago Fire Jersey
SOCCER.COM is the Center of the Soccer Universe	Here is the classic book on tactics by Allen Wade, Principles of Team Play. This instructional manual walks you through dozens of vital concepts on a variety of tactics, including penetrating runs and passes, overlaps, mobility, improvisation. The book addresses the corresponding defensive principles, as well. This is not just a "historical" item! It's concepts are as valid today as they were at publication. To buy Wade's Principles of Team Play Click Hereand enter Product # RV246 in the search engine space. Also consider his book on Systems of Play. Another masterpiece that addresses the strengths and weaknesses of the common formations used today. To buy Wade's Systems of PlayClick Hereand enter Product # RV247 in the search engine space.	only $8.95! Product # RV246 & Product #RV247
SOCCER.COM is the Center of the Soccer Universe	This is "flat-out" the best DVD for practical drills on improving ball movement, receiving on the half-turn, defense, layoff passing and more advanced shooting concepts. If you want to own just ONE DVD for combo play and small sided games - THIS IS IT! Believe me, I have seen dozens of DVD's, tapes and books and this one makes sense. The drills work through sensible progressions from simple concepts to the more complex. The grids are easy to lay out and the games are fun. I guarantee that you can incorporate these progressions into your next practice. Coach Terry Westley from England's Charlton Athletic Club leads you through these time proven drills that they use with the Charlton Youth teams. Click Here Go to the section on videos/DVD's or enter Product # RV7682 in the search engine.	Charlton Athletic Small Sided Games and Team Drills Product # - RV7682
SOCCER.COM is the Center of the Soccer Universe	And here is the companion DVD to the Charlton Athletic Small Sided Games and Drills! This DVD starts with all the basics that lead up to the more involved drills. It is a FABULOUS approach to teaching and reviewing skills. Once again, the progressions are well designed to reinforce the vital concepts pertaining to passing, moving after the pass, receiveing on the turn, weighting the pass, dribbling, dribbling tricks, long and short passing, up/back& thru passing, heading and defense. Trust me on this one. There may be some better DVD's for coaching out there, but I haven't found them. I plan to write up a list of the drills from both the DVD's with short descriptions so that I can take a printed copy out to the field to remind me of the different options. (I'll publish a link to it when I'm done, so you can use it, as well.) There is easily a season's worth of decent drills here that you can adapt to your own training sessions for the technical training and match-related training. Add in your own match-conditions drill and you will have a superb practice session!!!! Click Here Go to the section on videos/DVD's or enter Product # RV7681 in the search engine.	Charlton Athletic Individual Skill Drills Product # - RV7681