Sphere Soccer Institute

Controlled Mechanics

Setup:

• 4 cones set in a 5×5 yard square
• Ball
• Review technique demonstrations in the SOA Drill Library before starting
  

Execution:

1. Inside taps – 30 seconds
2. Roll touch – 30 seconds
3. V-push – 30 seconds
4. Outside → Inside combination – 30 seconds
5. Complete 3–4 total rounds
   

Coaching Points:

• Lock ankle on every contact
• Stay low with knees bent
• Keep ball within one step distance
• Maintain rhythm before increasing speed
  

Common Errors:

• Loose contact surface
• Standing upright during touches
• Ball drifting too far from body
• Rushing through movements without control

Setup:

• Wall or rebounder
• 1 cone 3 yards behind (pressure reference)
• 2 cones 6–8 yards diagonally left and right (exit targets)
  

Execution:

1. Technique A: Weak foot inside touch away → accelerate
2. Technique B: Weak foot outside touch away → accelerate
3. Technique C: Weak foot touch across body → accelerate opposite direction
4. Perform 10 reps per technique
5. Complete 3 total sets
   

Coaching Points:

• Open hips before contact
• First touch must eliminate pressure diagonally
• Commit fully to the exit direction
• Accelerate within one step
  

Common Errors:

• Touch under body instead of into space
• Weak ankle on outside contact
• Touch too central
• No explosive acceleration after separation

Drill 3 – Weak Foot Passing Mechanics
Objective: Build clean passing mechanics and repetition quality with the weak foot.

Setup:

• Wall
• Target zone marked on wall
• 8–10 yards distance

Execution:

1. Pass with weak foot only
2. Ball must strike target zone
3. Control rebound with weak foot
4. Every 5th rep is first-time pass (no control)
5. 20 reps per set, 3 sets total
   

Coaching Points:

• Plant foot pointed at target
• Strike through center of ball
• Lock ankle firmly
• Follow through toward target
  

Common Errors:

• Plant foot misaligned
• Leaning backward during strike
• Contacting bottom of ball
• Weak follow-through

Drill 4 – Weak Foot 1v1 Exit
Objective: Apply weak foot technique into a controlled 1v1 exit situation.

Setup:

• 1 cone as defender
• 1 cone 6–8 yards beyond as exit gate
• Ball
  

Execution:

1. Approach defender cone under control
2. Fake inside with weak foot
3. Push outside with weak foot
4. Accelerate past exit gate
5. Alternate approach angles
6. All touches before exit must be weak foot only

Coaching Points:

• Sell fake with shoulder movement
• Keep touches tight before exit
• Explosive first 3 steps after move
• Maintain balance during exit
  

Common Errors:

• Slow body fake
• Touch too wide during exit
• Switching to strong foot mid-move
• No acceleration after separation