Change direction using the inside of your foot

Soccer Unit | Level 19

TECHNIQUE
Today we are going to learn how to change direction using the inside of your foot.

IMPORTANCE
Changing direction using the inside of your foot is important because it allows you to move from an area of pressure to an area of no pressure.

When changing direction using the inside of your foot, it is important to:

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1. Lock your ankle and keep your toes up.

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2. Touch the ball with inside of your foot (push the ball, do not kick it).

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3. Keep the ball close to your body.

Practice 1: Line up on the baseline shoulder-to-shoulder. Put your ball on the ground in the control position. When I say, “GO!” dribble to the midline, turn direction with the inside of your foot and dribble back. When you get back to the baseline, put your ball in the control position.
Practice 2: Repeat as many times as necessary.

NEW BALL IV

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EQUIPMENT

1 soccer ball per student

STORYLINE
Today we are playing New Ball IV. Your goal is to change direction using the inside of your foot when you hear, "LEFT!" or "RIGHT!"

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Before the game begins, line up shoulder-to-shoulder on the baseline with your ball.
  • When I say, “GO!” dribble your ball anywhere inside the field.
  • When I say, “LEFT!” change direction with the inside of your foot and go left.
  • When I say, “RIGHT!” change direction with the inside of your foot and go right.
  • When I say, “New Ball!” you have five seconds to leave your ball, find someone else’s and start dribbling again.
  • You must try and find a different ball each time.
 

Game 1: Play as indicated above.
Game 2: Elimination Round. During the transition of finding a new ball, take one ball away (similar to Musical Chairs). If a student does not find a ball, he/she is eliminated and can dribble around the perimeter of the field.

 

TEACHING TIPS

  • Approach: Remind students to keep their heads up while dribbling to avoid bumping into others.
  • Discussion: Ask students to share who they saw trying their best at touching the ball with the inside of their feet.

TROLL BRIDGE

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EQUIPMENT

1 soccer ball per student

STORYLINE
Today we are playing Troll Bridge. In this game, you are all billy goats in search of green grass to eat but a troll (tagger) has stopped you from crossing the bridge. Your goal is to change direction using the inside of your foot to stay away from the troll.    

INSTRUCTIONS

  • I will select a troll. 
  • Before the game begins, spread out in the field with your ball. 
  • When I say, “GO!” you may dribble anywhere in the field within the boundary cones.
  • If you are tagged or go out of bounds, you must hold your ball over your head and stand in a straddle to form a troll bridge.
  • To become unfrozen, another teammate must kick their ball through your troll bridge.
  • We will begin a new round when I select a new troll.
 

Game 1: Play as indicated above.
Game 2: Add another troll.
Game 3: Instead of making a troll bridge with both legs, have students form a troll bridge by putting their hands and feet on the ground with space in between. 
Game 4: Increase the number of balls that have to go under a troll bridge to make a student unfrozen.

 

TEACHING TIPS

  • Approach: Remind students to keep their head up while dribbling to avoid bumping into others.
  • Discussion: Ask students to share what was easy or hard about keeping the ball close to their body.

KEEP IT CLOSE

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EQUIPMENT

1 soccer ball per student

5 short cones

STORYLINE
Today we are playing Keep It Close. Your goal is to change direction using the inside of your foot to protect your soccer ball from being kicked out-of-bounds by the sweeper.  

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Before the game begins, line up shoulder-to-shoulder with your ball on the baseline. 
  • When I say, “GO!” start dribbling your ball anywhere inside the field.
  • When changing direction around the field, use the inside of your foot.
  • I will try and kick your ball so that it goes outside of the boundary cones.
  • If your ball gets kicked out, you become the sweeper and try to kick another student’s ball outside the boundary cones.
 

Game 1: Play as indicated above.
Game 2: Add another sweeper.
Game 3: If a student’s ball gets kicked out he/she becomes a seaweed. Seaweed can move their arms and tag people, but must keep their feet planted on the ground.

 

TEACHING TIPS

  • Approach: Remind students to keep their heads up while dribbling to avoid bumping into others.
  • Approach: Remind students the closer they keep their ball to their body, the less chance it will be kicked out by someone else.
  • Discussion: Ask students to share who they saw doing a good job at locking their ankle and keeping their toes up when changing direction away from.