"Bumper "Ball" Soccer Drill
Instead of Bumper Cars, Try the "Bumper Ball" Soccer
Drill
The "Bumper Ball" drill works on both defensive and
offensive skills. The defenders learn how to defend open areas and
ball control. The attacking players learn how to dribble, turn and
protect the ball while attempting to evade the defense.
For this drill you'll use three players, each with
a ball and a stop watch. Mark off a 10-by-10-yard area with cones.
Give each player a ball, two players start off as defenders and the
third is on offense.
The attacker dribbles their ball around the designated
area, attempting to keep the ball away from the two defenders. The
defenders try to be the first to hit the attacker's ball with their
own ball. When a defender hits the attacker's ball, the player should
yell out "Bumper Ball", and the players then rotate positions. The
coach times how long each player is in the attacker role. The player
to last the longest, without getting their ball hit by the defenders,
is the winner.
When dribbling, the offensive player should practicing
looking up and around between touches, as if looking for teammates
to pass to. Defenders should try to get close to the offensive player
before attempting hit their ball. The offensive player should practice
turning and changing direction.
