Up, Up, and Away

Cushion Touch drill where player 1 serves the ball to player 2. 

Click here for instructional video

• Set Up

  • Place 3 cones ~10 ft. apart

  • Split players into groups of 4, with 1 ball

• Equipment

  • Balls

  • Disc cones

• Objective

  To perform a Cushion Touch and dribble back to the line

• Directions

  1. Player 1 (server), begins with the ball in their hands.

  2. Player 2, at cone 2, runs and touches cone 3 with their foot, then runs back to cone 2 and calls for the ball.

  3. Player 1 throws the ball to the player in the following ways:

     1. Bounce

     2. Higher Bounce

     3. Underhand Throw

  4. Player 2 passes back to player 1 (or dribbles back) and goes to the back of the line.

  5. Player 1 becomes Player 2 and Player 3 becomes player 1.

  6. Start with the easier option and then have players choose how they want to receive the ball.

• Variations

  • Challenge: server applies some pressure to the player, shadow defending them

• Coaching Points

  • Encourage the player checking to the ball to communicate “Me, me!” “I’m open!” “Ball!”

  • By running to cone 3 then back, players practice creating space on the field to create passing options

  • Aerial control pointers:

    • Use a soft touch to cushion the ball when trapping

    • Use the laces or “big bone” of your foot when trapping the ball (NOT the toes!)

Reflection: Self-Awareness

1. How did you communicate with your partner during this game?

2. On a scale from 1-3, how much do you talk to your teammates on the field?

        3- I encourage the team all the time, shout them out, and tell them I’m passing to

them, or give them help

       2-Sometimes communicate with the team 2-3 times

        1-I don’t talk on the field or 1 only say 1 thing

3. Why is communication so important on the soccer field?