Stuck without a training partner? Just find a wall and get after your foot skills on your own. You’ll get a ton of touches in a short period of time.
An ideal environment for wall ball is a racquetball court, according to Patrick Baker, head women’s soccer coach at the University of Georgia. He says: “Being boxed in provides you with a ball that’s always moving, without having to chase it. This enables you to work on many different technical skills.”
Whether you choose a racquetball court, gym or the side of your house, perform three 45-minute sessions a week throughout the offseason, taking two-minute breaks when necessary.
How to perform
Fire the ball at a wall. Quickly gain control of the rebound; repeat. Avoid standing still and kicking the ball in the same area. Be creative with your movements and make sure to use various angles.
Skills to work
Passing and shooting accuracy; first touch; foot angles; chest traps; headers; ball control
Schedule your sessions
Session one: Work on one or two of your weaker skills.
Session two: Work on one or two of your stronger skills.
Session three: Work on a variety of skills
Make it a competition
See how many continuous good touches you can make without losing control of the ball. If you’re working on passing or shooting accuracy, target specific spots on the wall and see how many times in a row you can hit them. Try to beat your records throughout your sessions.
Photo: redandblack.com