The game's top players have remarkable speed, agility, and coordination demonstrated through precision passing, incredible ball control, and an uncanny ability to anticipate and react to the opposition's moves. Although the best players can make these skills look easy, each is a result of dedication, commitment, and countless hours of practice.
In Elite Soccer Drills, renowned coach Mike Matkovich shares the same drills he has used in developing some of soccer's premier players. The 82 drills emphasize execution in high-level play while addressing the finer points of passing and receiving, attacking and defending, and heading.
With drills for both individual players and teams, as well as practice tips and coaching suggestions, Elite Soccer Drills is the perfect practice tool for developing the high-level skills and soccer sense players need in order to excel.
Chapter 1. Becoming an Elite Player
Chapter 2. Speed, Agility, and Coordination
Chapter 3. Juggling
Chapter 4. Dribbling
Chapter 5. Passing and Receiving
Chapter 6. Heading
Chapter 7. Attacking and Defending
Chapter 8. Crossing and Finishing
Chapter 9. Conditioning
Mike Matkovich joined the coaching staff of Chivas USA as the assistant coach in February 2008. A veteran of American soccer and founder of Chicago Magic soccer club, one of the most successful youth soccer clubs in the United States, Matkovich has coached at every level of the U.S. game, working with youth, high school, college, amateur, and professional teams.
Before joining Chivas USA, Matkovich served as an assistant coach for Toronto FC, an MLS team, during the team's inaugural campaign in Major League Soccer in 2007. Earlier, Matkovich served as director of Chicago Magic for 17 years. Under his tutelage the Magic was named Soccer America's No. 1 Boys Club in the nation in 2004, 2005, and 2006. While with the Magic, Matkovich was named National Coach of the Year and Regional Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, and the Illinois Coach of the Year by the Illinois Youth Soccer Association. Matkovich also served as the assistant coach of the Chicago Power of the indoor National Professional Soccer League from 1990 to 1994, where he won a national championship in 1990. He spent 2000 to 2006 at the helm of the Chicago Fire reserves of the Premier Development League, where he amassed a 71-8-7 record, which gave him the highest winning percentage of any coach in PDL history. A member of the U.S. national coaching staff, Matkovich holds a national A license from the USSF and has been a member of the NSCAA since 1992.
After a standout youth soccer career, Jason Davis helped the University of Akron win three conference championships. After college, Jason played professionally for the Pittsburgh Stingers, Detroit Neon, and Detroit Safari of the Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL). While playing professionally, he began coaching local youth teams and decided to pursue coaching as a full-time career. Davis has coached at the club level for the Michigan Wolves-Hawks, Michigan Metrostars, and Vardar soccer clubs. He has also served as the director for the Michigan Metrostars and the Vardar Boys and Vardar Academy. He holds a USSF A license as well as the USSF national youth license and is a state and regional head coach for Michigan and the Region 2 Olympic development program.
“Elite Soccer Drills is a must for the serious soccer coach. Coaches Matkovich and Davis have put together a tremendous resource that I will use for years to come.”
Michael A. Freitag
Head Men's Soccer Coach, Indiana University
Effective dribbling essential for success on the soccer field
Without question, dribbling is a key skill if a player is to succeed at the very highest level of the game of soccer.
Without question, dribbling is a key skill if a player is to succeed at the very highest level of the game of soccer. Though considered a basic skill, dribbling is the most dynamic and exciting component in the game.
Many think of dribbling as simply running with the ball. However, at the highest level of the game, dribbling is more than that; it is the ability to manipulate, control, and move the ball to gain or maintain an advantage. The best players in the world tend to use dribbling for three basic purposes: to beat or eliminate defenders by running past them with the ball, to create new passing lanes and angles, and to maintain possession and control of the ball. Players who use dribbling to good advantage to accomplish one or more of these purposes are often referred to as "having good feet."
Dribbling to beat players and create passing angles requires players to actually move the ball in and out of pressure in order to maintain possession for their teams. By dribbling the ball sideways or backward, players can create time and space while reducing the amount of pressure placed on them by the opposing team.
All players, no matter their defensive or offensive positions, can use the skill of dribbling to work their way out of pressurized situations. For example, target forwards use dribbling under pressure to hold the ball in order to create time for their teammates to join the attack.
Although players use most, or almost all, of their body parts when dribbling, the feet are obviously the part most used. Many coaches in soccer today work on the principle that six surfaces of the foot are used when training to improve dribbling:
- Top of the foot
- Sole of the foot
- Toe
- Inside of the foot
- Outside of the foot
- Heel
Although that view is not wrong, it is far too simplistic and compartmentalized. When training players at or near the highest levels of the game, coaches should adopt the mind-set that effective dribbling requires the use of the whole foot and that every part of the dribbling foot can be used to the player's advantage.
The activities in this chapter isolate or combine the following dribbling objectives:
- Beat or eliminate defenders by running at and past them with the ball.
- Create new passing lanes and angles.
- Maintain possession and control of the ball.
This is an excerpt from Elite Soccer Drills.
Effective dribbling essential for success on the soccer field
Without question, dribbling is a key skill if a player is to succeed at the very highest level of the game of soccer.
Without question, dribbling is a key skill if a player is to succeed at the very highest level of the game of soccer. Though considered a basic skill, dribbling is the most dynamic and exciting component in the game.
Many think of dribbling as simply running with the ball. However, at the highest level of the game, dribbling is more than that; it is the ability to manipulate, control, and move the ball to gain or maintain an advantage. The best players in the world tend to use dribbling for three basic purposes: to beat or eliminate defenders by running past them with the ball, to create new passing lanes and angles, and to maintain possession and control of the ball. Players who use dribbling to good advantage to accomplish one or more of these purposes are often referred to as "having good feet."
Dribbling to beat players and create passing angles requires players to actually move the ball in and out of pressure in order to maintain possession for their teams. By dribbling the ball sideways or backward, players can create time and space while reducing the amount of pressure placed on them by the opposing team.
All players, no matter their defensive or offensive positions, can use the skill of dribbling to work their way out of pressurized situations. For example, target forwards use dribbling under pressure to hold the ball in order to create time for their teammates to join the attack.
Although players use most, or almost all, of their body parts when dribbling, the feet are obviously the part most used. Many coaches in soccer today work on the principle that six surfaces of the foot are used when training to improve dribbling:
- Top of the foot
- Sole of the foot
- Toe
- Inside of the foot
- Outside of the foot
- Heel
Although that view is not wrong, it is far too simplistic and compartmentalized. When training players at or near the highest levels of the game, coaches should adopt the mind-set that effective dribbling requires the use of the whole foot and that every part of the dribbling foot can be used to the player's advantage.
The activities in this chapter isolate or combine the following dribbling objectives:
- Beat or eliminate defenders by running at and past them with the ball.
- Create new passing lanes and angles.
- Maintain possession and control of the ball.
This is an excerpt from Elite Soccer Drills.
Effective dribbling essential for success on the soccer field
Without question, dribbling is a key skill if a player is to succeed at the very highest level of the game of soccer.
Without question, dribbling is a key skill if a player is to succeed at the very highest level of the game of soccer. Though considered a basic skill, dribbling is the most dynamic and exciting component in the game.
Many think of dribbling as simply running with the ball. However, at the highest level of the game, dribbling is more than that; it is the ability to manipulate, control, and move the ball to gain or maintain an advantage. The best players in the world tend to use dribbling for three basic purposes: to beat or eliminate defenders by running past them with the ball, to create new passing lanes and angles, and to maintain possession and control of the ball. Players who use dribbling to good advantage to accomplish one or more of these purposes are often referred to as "having good feet."
Dribbling to beat players and create passing angles requires players to actually move the ball in and out of pressure in order to maintain possession for their teams. By dribbling the ball sideways or backward, players can create time and space while reducing the amount of pressure placed on them by the opposing team.
All players, no matter their defensive or offensive positions, can use the skill of dribbling to work their way out of pressurized situations. For example, target forwards use dribbling under pressure to hold the ball in order to create time for their teammates to join the attack.
Although players use most, or almost all, of their body parts when dribbling, the feet are obviously the part most used. Many coaches in soccer today work on the principle that six surfaces of the foot are used when training to improve dribbling:
- Top of the foot
- Sole of the foot
- Toe
- Inside of the foot
- Outside of the foot
- Heel
Although that view is not wrong, it is far too simplistic and compartmentalized. When training players at or near the highest levels of the game, coaches should adopt the mind-set that effective dribbling requires the use of the whole foot and that every part of the dribbling foot can be used to the player's advantage.
The activities in this chapter isolate or combine the following dribbling objectives:
- Beat or eliminate defenders by running at and past them with the ball.
- Create new passing lanes and angles.
- Maintain possession and control of the ball.
This is an excerpt from Elite Soccer Drills.
Effective dribbling essential for success on the soccer field
Without question, dribbling is a key skill if a player is to succeed at the very highest level of the game of soccer.
Without question, dribbling is a key skill if a player is to succeed at the very highest level of the game of soccer. Though considered a basic skill, dribbling is the most dynamic and exciting component in the game.
Many think of dribbling as simply running with the ball. However, at the highest level of the game, dribbling is more than that; it is the ability to manipulate, control, and move the ball to gain or maintain an advantage. The best players in the world tend to use dribbling for three basic purposes: to beat or eliminate defenders by running past them with the ball, to create new passing lanes and angles, and to maintain possession and control of the ball. Players who use dribbling to good advantage to accomplish one or more of these purposes are often referred to as "having good feet."
Dribbling to beat players and create passing angles requires players to actually move the ball in and out of pressure in order to maintain possession for their teams. By dribbling the ball sideways or backward, players can create time and space while reducing the amount of pressure placed on them by the opposing team.
All players, no matter their defensive or offensive positions, can use the skill of dribbling to work their way out of pressurized situations. For example, target forwards use dribbling under pressure to hold the ball in order to create time for their teammates to join the attack.
Although players use most, or almost all, of their body parts when dribbling, the feet are obviously the part most used. Many coaches in soccer today work on the principle that six surfaces of the foot are used when training to improve dribbling:
- Top of the foot
- Sole of the foot
- Toe
- Inside of the foot
- Outside of the foot
- Heel
Although that view is not wrong, it is far too simplistic and compartmentalized. When training players at or near the highest levels of the game, coaches should adopt the mind-set that effective dribbling requires the use of the whole foot and that every part of the dribbling foot can be used to the player's advantage.
The activities in this chapter isolate or combine the following dribbling objectives:
- Beat or eliminate defenders by running at and past them with the ball.
- Create new passing lanes and angles.
- Maintain possession and control of the ball.
This is an excerpt from Elite Soccer Drills.
Effective dribbling essential for success on the soccer field
Without question, dribbling is a key skill if a player is to succeed at the very highest level of the game of soccer.
Without question, dribbling is a key skill if a player is to succeed at the very highest level of the game of soccer. Though considered a basic skill, dribbling is the most dynamic and exciting component in the game.
Many think of dribbling as simply running with the ball. However, at the highest level of the game, dribbling is more than that; it is the ability to manipulate, control, and move the ball to gain or maintain an advantage. The best players in the world tend to use dribbling for three basic purposes: to beat or eliminate defenders by running past them with the ball, to create new passing lanes and angles, and to maintain possession and control of the ball. Players who use dribbling to good advantage to accomplish one or more of these purposes are often referred to as "having good feet."
Dribbling to beat players and create passing angles requires players to actually move the ball in and out of pressure in order to maintain possession for their teams. By dribbling the ball sideways or backward, players can create time and space while reducing the amount of pressure placed on them by the opposing team.
All players, no matter their defensive or offensive positions, can use the skill of dribbling to work their way out of pressurized situations. For example, target forwards use dribbling under pressure to hold the ball in order to create time for their teammates to join the attack.
Although players use most, or almost all, of their body parts when dribbling, the feet are obviously the part most used. Many coaches in soccer today work on the principle that six surfaces of the foot are used when training to improve dribbling:
- Top of the foot
- Sole of the foot
- Toe
- Inside of the foot
- Outside of the foot
- Heel
Although that view is not wrong, it is far too simplistic and compartmentalized. When training players at or near the highest levels of the game, coaches should adopt the mind-set that effective dribbling requires the use of the whole foot and that every part of the dribbling foot can be used to the player's advantage.
The activities in this chapter isolate or combine the following dribbling objectives:
- Beat or eliminate defenders by running at and past them with the ball.
- Create new passing lanes and angles.
- Maintain possession and control of the ball.
This is an excerpt from Elite Soccer Drills.
Effective dribbling essential for success on the soccer field
Without question, dribbling is a key skill if a player is to succeed at the very highest level of the game of soccer.
Without question, dribbling is a key skill if a player is to succeed at the very highest level of the game of soccer. Though considered a basic skill, dribbling is the most dynamic and exciting component in the game.
Many think of dribbling as simply running with the ball. However, at the highest level of the game, dribbling is more than that; it is the ability to manipulate, control, and move the ball to gain or maintain an advantage. The best players in the world tend to use dribbling for three basic purposes: to beat or eliminate defenders by running past them with the ball, to create new passing lanes and angles, and to maintain possession and control of the ball. Players who use dribbling to good advantage to accomplish one or more of these purposes are often referred to as "having good feet."
Dribbling to beat players and create passing angles requires players to actually move the ball in and out of pressure in order to maintain possession for their teams. By dribbling the ball sideways or backward, players can create time and space while reducing the amount of pressure placed on them by the opposing team.
All players, no matter their defensive or offensive positions, can use the skill of dribbling to work their way out of pressurized situations. For example, target forwards use dribbling under pressure to hold the ball in order to create time for their teammates to join the attack.
Although players use most, or almost all, of their body parts when dribbling, the feet are obviously the part most used. Many coaches in soccer today work on the principle that six surfaces of the foot are used when training to improve dribbling:
- Top of the foot
- Sole of the foot
- Toe
- Inside of the foot
- Outside of the foot
- Heel
Although that view is not wrong, it is far too simplistic and compartmentalized. When training players at or near the highest levels of the game, coaches should adopt the mind-set that effective dribbling requires the use of the whole foot and that every part of the dribbling foot can be used to the player's advantage.
The activities in this chapter isolate or combine the following dribbling objectives:
- Beat or eliminate defenders by running at and past them with the ball.
- Create new passing lanes and angles.
- Maintain possession and control of the ball.
This is an excerpt from Elite Soccer Drills.
Effective dribbling essential for success on the soccer field
Without question, dribbling is a key skill if a player is to succeed at the very highest level of the game of soccer.
Without question, dribbling is a key skill if a player is to succeed at the very highest level of the game of soccer. Though considered a basic skill, dribbling is the most dynamic and exciting component in the game.
Many think of dribbling as simply running with the ball. However, at the highest level of the game, dribbling is more than that; it is the ability to manipulate, control, and move the ball to gain or maintain an advantage. The best players in the world tend to use dribbling for three basic purposes: to beat or eliminate defenders by running past them with the ball, to create new passing lanes and angles, and to maintain possession and control of the ball. Players who use dribbling to good advantage to accomplish one or more of these purposes are often referred to as "having good feet."
Dribbling to beat players and create passing angles requires players to actually move the ball in and out of pressure in order to maintain possession for their teams. By dribbling the ball sideways or backward, players can create time and space while reducing the amount of pressure placed on them by the opposing team.
All players, no matter their defensive or offensive positions, can use the skill of dribbling to work their way out of pressurized situations. For example, target forwards use dribbling under pressure to hold the ball in order to create time for their teammates to join the attack.
Although players use most, or almost all, of their body parts when dribbling, the feet are obviously the part most used. Many coaches in soccer today work on the principle that six surfaces of the foot are used when training to improve dribbling:
- Top of the foot
- Sole of the foot
- Toe
- Inside of the foot
- Outside of the foot
- Heel
Although that view is not wrong, it is far too simplistic and compartmentalized. When training players at or near the highest levels of the game, coaches should adopt the mind-set that effective dribbling requires the use of the whole foot and that every part of the dribbling foot can be used to the player's advantage.
The activities in this chapter isolate or combine the following dribbling objectives:
- Beat or eliminate defenders by running at and past them with the ball.
- Create new passing lanes and angles.
- Maintain possession and control of the ball.
This is an excerpt from Elite Soccer Drills.