Quantity - Are there enough?

For some small sided games to work properly it's important to have extra balls available in the correct place and time. This requires either allot of extra balls or a system of retrieval and resupply. Retrieval could involve some parents, coaches or a third team that is waiting it's turn to play. The resupply picture should include having the "shaggers" in the right place with a way to return the balls without disrupting the game. Having balls returned through the middle of a game breaks the flow of play, hinders coaching and enjoyment, while running out of balls simply brings the game to a halt. Examples of retrieval. In the shooting game both goals are likely to get a workout so shaggers are needed behind each goal. In the big goal small goals game more balls should be coming out of the small goals end. The ball will need to travel a long way back to the big goal so a relay system might be needed.

Inflation - A needle away from being good.

Far too many balls are under inflated at practice. It might be because no one pays any attention to them, the coach is preoccupied with starting practice or the children simply like the soft balls. In any case, playing with under inflated balls will cause problems on game day, (unless the games are played with the same balls.) A fully inflated ball has a different feel and asks different questions then a soft one. The hard ball exposes those players that have "second touch is a tackle" ball control skills faster then a soft one. Heading a hard ball in a game requires a different mentality then a soft one at practice. Keep the pressure at a point that it has meaning to the activity and it will help to prepare the players for the future.

Size

While the size of the ball is set on game day there are a few opportunities during training where a change might do some good. Juggling with a size two for young children and a size three for older ones can force them to concentrate more and add novelty to their homework assignments. Playing a quick game of monkey in the middle, (winners stay 2,) with a smaller ball can be used as a warm up.

Composition - Changing the effects through construction.

In Holland many of the children play with a light weight size 5 ball. The thinking is that the larger ball is easier to control. They have altered the ball to achieve an effect on the game.

Futsal balls. Futsal is the only "other" sport recognized by FIFA. It's 5 a side played on a basketball sized court without walls using goals and goalkeepers. It also has it's own ball which is close to a size three, heavy and has little bounce. This offers a slower game and easier control on a hard surfaces such as tennis courts and asphalt playgrounds. This is a good tool for teaching the short positional play in 4v4. By playing on a hard court with a futsal ball the passes are as true as the players can make them and there are no bad bounces caused by poor fields. The ball also has the tendency to stay on the ground. Playing monkey in the middle, (winners stay 2,) with a small field and a futsal ball encourages allot of flicks, toe pokes and scoops. It becomes a good game for the teams "hot dogs" to show off. There are a variety of manufacturers, the ball pictured at right is Challenge Soccer's Sala ball. See www.challengesoccercompany.com.

Futebols. Futebols, right, have the opposite effect of futsal balls. They are about the same size and weight as a futsal ball but are made out of rubber. They are popular throughout South America for pick up games on every type of surface. They create a game where control is constantly tested and "bad bounces" are a common occurrence. While they are very lively over short distances they don't travel very far, tending to start, and then, die quickly. See www.brasilianfutebol.com for more information.

Touch in soccer is a combination of the tactile and kinesthetic sense. Improving touch means improving the bodies sensitivity to the ball and space. One method to help improve touch is to remove the main obstacle between the player and the ball. To allow the player to actually feel the ball try playing barefooted. Set up a small sided game indoors with a futebol. Children love the novelty and after a short period begin to figure out what surfaces of the foot they can use. Is it just a coincidence that the most gifted ball control artists in the world come from countries and continents where shoes are precious and youngsters are brought up playing barefooted?

Pendulum balls offer a consistent service for dealing with the ball in the air. With a top line apparatus they are useful even for professional players. The pendulum trainer page offers a low cost and simple alternative for the average coach.

Volleyballs - Slowing down the aerial game.

When young players are first exposed to games like soccer tennis and soccer volleyball the ball often comes in too fast and has too much weight for them to handle. As an introductory measure a volleyball produces a slower and lighter game. This helps not only the technical end but reduces the fear factor as well.

A final note about changing the ball. Between futsal and futebols, soccer and volleyballs the difference is largely in the speed of play. By changing the ball in a game the nature of the lesson changes, much like changing a game from unlimited touches to two touch. The field might need some adjustment and some rules added or changed but the effect of the different ball can play a role in player education.

Click here to see a short YouTube video about the ball.

Click on the image to see some scenes about the ball from the "Street Soccer" DVD in a Real Time video.
Purchase an online copy from TotalVid.com here.

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