Street Soccer Training

Street soccer is a modern approach to coaching.

Informally, street soccer refers to soccer played on the street. This form of pick-up or neighborhood, soccer has started the careers of many of the world’s most famous players, especially many of those from developing countries. Street soccer is formally known as a modern approach to coaching soccer focusing on the individual’s skills and creativity in an informal “street” environment. Street soccer involves hard playing surfaces, like gym floors or concrete, resulting in a much faster pace of play. Through street soccer training, players learn to think fast, use their environment to their advantage and develop their skills at a more accelerated pace.

Street Soccer vs. Field Soccer

Street soccer takes a more holistic approach to training the whole athlete, according to the website International Street Soccer. The emphasis of the method is on self-awareness and creativity, encouraging the individual player to develop an innovative game that includes fancy footwork and creating plays on the fly. It works to make the movement of players more fluid, and to make them better at making flash decisions during play.

Speed Training

Speed is one of the most coveted abilities in soccer players. Even a less-skilled ball-handler can cover for his lack of skill with speed. According to the website Elite Soccer Conditioning, street soccer training is one of the best ways to develop both running speed and ball handling reflexes. On a traditional soccer field, the ball is cushioned by the dirt and grass and travels at a much slower pace than it does on a hard surface. Much like baseball hitters who practice with weighted bats bring that extra strength to the plate, soccer players who practice in a faster-paced environment bring that speed to the field.

Agility Training

Street soccer training as a modern approach to coaching, focuses on fast-paced drills that involve sprinting from a standing position, sprinting from a sitting position and reacting to approaching soccer balls with your back turned. Like with speed, the agility players learn playing street soccer translates to the field.

Styles

One of the things that makes street soccer appealing (and helpful) to players is its focus on freestyle. Giving players the freedom to create their own solutions to play situations allows them to develop game strategies that are their own. Players also learn from each other, and can develop new dynamics that enrich the game, according to the website Project Street Soccer.

Evolution of Soccer

The game of soccer is evolving all the time. As more and more people play the game, the level of competition intensifies. Creating new and innovative methods for teaching soccer will help players compete in this ever more difficult and challenging sport.

References

• Elite Soccer Conditioning: Street Soccer
• International Street Soccer: Coaching
• Project Street Soccer: What is it?

Resources

• Soccer Nation: Street Soccer