2 Players, 1 Ball, Skill Drills (aka “Brazilians”)

2 PLAYERS, 1 BALL, SKILL DRILLS (a.k.a. “BRAZILIANS”)
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The two-player, one-ball, skill drills series in soccer, also known as “Brazilians,” has one player acting as a server and the other player using a predetermined set of ball skills to return the ball.  This series incorporates the majority of introductory skills, including use of the instep, the inside of the foot, receiving and controlling, heading, and juggling.  The returns may be tailored to the age group involved.  The concepts may be introduced as early as U7.  The series continues to be used all the way through professional and senior ranks.  The drills are introduced in a standing position and then movement is added later.  These are excellent soccer drills for Covid-19 coronavirus social-distancing separation.
Depending on the age group, players may be positioned approximately 5- to 10-yards apart.  Essentially, the server now takes on the role of the coach, delivering the ball to the performing player in such a way that the chance of a proper return will be maximized.  A proper service on the part of the serving player is absolutely critical to success. As such, the coach must demonstrate the correct service technique for each skill, together with the proper technique for each return.  Services should be exact, directly to the receiver, but may be slightly short of the receiver.   If so, receiving players are always to move forward as necessary to meet the ball.  Servers who consistently deliver the ball too long need to be corrected.
There is a wide variety of choices for serves and returns.  Coaches may select anything from the lists below.  The more selections that are used on any one occasion, the longer it will take during practice to get them all in.  After any group of selections is used, the initial servers and recipients switch assignments and repeat the group so that both players are provided with equal training.
Ball Served on the Surface, Returned on the Surface
 The server may “bowl” the ball or send it using an inside-of-the-foot push pass.  Returns are to be directed to the server’s feet:
    • Two touch: inside of the left foot receive, inside of the right foot return.
    • Two touch: inside of the right foot receive, inside of the left foot return.
    • Two touch: inside of the right foot receive, inside of the right foot return.
    • Two touch: inside of the left foot receive, inside of the left foot return.
    • One touch: inside of the right foot return.
    • One touch: inside of the left foot return.
    • Two touch: inside of the left foot receive, instep of the right foot return.
    • Two touch: inside of the right foot receive, instep of the left foot return.
    • One touch: instep of the right foot return.
    • One touch: instep of the left foot return.
Ball Served in the Air, Returned in the Air
Unless specified, the server is to deliver an under-hand, slightly-arching,” soft-touch,” ball to the appropriate body part of the receiver.  Returns are to be directed strongly on a straight line back to the server’s waist:
    • One touch: low inside of the right foot volley return.
    • One touch: low inside of the left foot volley return.
    • One touch: low instep of the right foot volley return.
    • One touch: low instep of the left foot volley return.
    • Two touch: top of right thigh receive, low inside of the right foot volley return.
    • Two touch: top of left thigh receive, low inside of the left foot volley return.
    • Two touch: top of right thigh receive, low instep of the right foot volley return.
    • Two touch: top of left thigh receive, low instep of the left foot volley return.
    • Two touch: chest receive, inside of right foot return.
    • Two touch: chest receive, inside of left foot return.
    • Two touch: chest receive, instep of right foot return.
    • Two touch: chest receive, instep of left foot return.
    • One touch: service directly to forehead, standing header return.
    • One touch: service directly to forehead, standing header return to feet.
    • One touch: service arched to head, standing header return.
    • One touch: service arched to head, standing header return to feet.
    • Two touch: head receive, inside of right foot return.
    • Two touch: head receive, inside of left foot return.
    • Two touch: head receive, instep of right foot return.
    • Two touch: head receive, instep of left foot return.
    • Three touch: head receive, right thigh intermediate, right inside of foot return.
    • Three touch: head receive, left thigh intermediate, left inside of foot return.
    • Three touch: head receive, right thigh intermediate, right instep return.
    • Three touch: head receive, left thigh intermediate, left instep return.
    • Three touch: chest receive, right thigh intermediate, right inside of foot return.
    • Three touch: chest receive, left thigh intermediate, left inside of foot return.
    • Three touch: chest receive, right thigh intermediate, right instep return.
    • Three touch: chest receive, left thigh intermediate, left instep return.
    • Two touch: right top of thigh receive, left inside of foot return.
    • Two touch: left top of thigh receive, right inside of foot return.
    • Two touch: right top of thigh receive, left instep return.
    • Two touch: left top of thigh receive, right instep return.
    • One touch: service directly to a spot just above the head, jump header return.
    • One touch: service arched to a spot just in front of the head, jump header return.
    • One touch:  receiver sitting – service to forehead, header return.
    • One touch:  receiver kneeling – service to forehead, header return.
    • One touch: service to player’s right, side volley, right instep then right inside of foot.
    • One touch: service to player’s left, side volley left instep then left inside of foot.
Ball Served in the Air, Returned on the Surface
Returns are made by letting the ball fall to the surface after receiving it and then contacting the ball for the return exactly at the same time it hits the surface.  Returns are to be made along the surface to the server’s feet:
    • Two touch: top of right thigh receive, inside of right foot return.
    • Two touch: top of left thigh receive, inside of left foot return.
    • Two touch: top of right thigh receive, right instep return.
    • Two touch: top of left thigh receive, left instep return.
    • Two touch: top of right thigh receive, left inside of foot return.
    • Two touch: top of left thigh receive, right inside of foot return.
    • Two touch: top of right thigh receive, left instep return.
    • Two touch: top of left thigh receive, right instep return.
    • Two touch: chest receive, inside of right foot return.
    • Two touch: chest receive, inside of left foot return.
    • Two touch: chest receive, right instep return.
    • Two touch: chest receive, left instep return.
    • Two touch: head receive, inside of right foot return.
    • Two touch: head receive, inside of left foot return.
    • Two touch: head receive, right instep return.
    • Two touch: head receive, left instep return.
    • Three touch: chest receive, right thigh intermediate, inside of right foot return.
    • Three touch: chest receive, left thigh intermediate, inside of left foot return.
    • Three touch: chest receive, right thigh intermediate, right instep return.
    • Three touch: chest receive, left thigh intermediate, left instep return.
    • Three touch: head receive, right thigh intermediate, right inside of foot return.
    • Three touch: head receive, left thigh intermediate, left inside of foot return.
    • Three touch: head receive, right thigh intermediate, right instep return.
    • Three touch: head receive, left thigh intermediate, left instep return.
Adding Movement
Because there are very few times in a match where any of the skills above will be performed standing, it is very important to add movement after success has been achieved in the standing position.  While maintaining the proper distance between the server and the receiver, the whole activity can be put into motion by starting at one sideline and moving to the other sideline.  Serves and returns are performed with the server moving backward and the receiver moving forward.  Servers must deliver the ball a little “short,” in effect leading the receiver, so that the receiver may move forward to meet the ball.  As the server reaches the opposite sideline, the initial server and receiver switch duties and return to the starting sideline.  The skill grouping can be changed upon completion of each cycle.
Coaches may also include:
    • Use of the inside or outside of each thigh receiving.
    • Side volley returns using the right and left instep.
    • Outside of the foot return passes.
    • Serves from greater distance made as throw-ins.
    • Increasing the force with which the ball is returned.
    • Serves slightly to the left and then to the right of the receiver, whereby the receiver must properly move to position himself behind the ball to perform the skill.
Soccer Coaching Tips:
  • Concentration on the ball (player sees contact with the ball; “eyes on the ball”)
  • Soft touch
  • Accuracy
  • Coaches may act as servers in order to provide instruction or to analyze the level of technique achieved by the player.
  • These are excellent drills for personal trainers.

© Copyright, John C. Harves