SOCCER REBOUNDER WALL DRILLS
© CoachingAmericanSoccer.com®
A soccer rebounder wall is a solid, vertical structure, often made of wood or masonry and usually the size of a goal, that allows a player to kick a ball against it and receive the rebound. Also known as a “kickwall” or a “bangboard,” the rebounder wall provides a soccer player with an excellent opportunity to practice ball skills and techniques in the absence of a partner. Rebounder walls are best when associated with natural grass but can be found as part of hard surfaces, such as tennis courts or buildings. When located on a hard surface, the player must only use tennis, basketball, running or athletic shoes. When using a building, the wall must have no windows and permission should be obtained first.
The following drills are a good start for use with a rebounder wall. Repeat foot drills approximately 10-times with each foot, or as-needed for improved performance.
Ground: Closer to wall, ball stays on the ground
(Approximately 2-yards away from the wall)
Foot off ground, repeated one-touch, inside of foot (slow, accurate, under control).
Foot off ground, repeated one-touch, instep (slow, accurate, under control).
Foot off ground, repeated one-touch, inside of foot (fast, accurate, under control).
Foot off ground, repeated one-touch, instep (fast, accurate, under control).
Ground: Mid-range to wall, ball stays on the ground
(Approximately 4-yards away from the wall)
Two-touch inside of foot pass and receive.
One-touch inside of foot pass and receive.
One-touch inside of foot, rapid, keep contact foot off ground.
Two-touch, inside of foot pass, sole of foot receive.
Two-touch, instep pass to wall, same foot sole of foot trap.
Two -touch, inside of foot pass, inside of foot receive, inside of foot pass to other foot, inside of foot pass to wall.
Ground: Farther from wall, ball stays on the ground
(Approximately 7-yards away from the wall)
Stronger, harder, inside of foot one-touch pass.
Stronger, harder, instep one-touch pass.
Stronger, harder, two-touch inside of foot pass with inside of foot receive.
Stronger, harder, two-touch instep pass with inside of foot receive.
Inside of foot pass, move toward rebound to receive, 180-degree turn (without touching the ball), dribble away from wall, 180-degree sole-of-the-foot turn to face wall.
Inside of foot pass, move toward rebound to receive, 180-degree turn and capture the ball with the sole-of-the-foot, pull-back turn to face wall.
Inside of the foot pass, feint toward, allow ball to go between legs, turn, capture the ball with sole of foot, 180-degree pull-back turn to face wall.
Ground: Farther from wall, ball stays on ground
(Approximately 10-yards away from the wall)
Instep shot to target spot, inside of the foot receive, set ball to side with outside of foot, (softer for accuracy, then build power).
Instep shot to target, inside of foot receive, set ball to other front for other foot in one motion.
Push pass to wall, one-touch instep shot to target.
Ground Phase Two: Shooting (Mark targets on the wall with removable “painter’s tape.”)
Outside of foot, two-touch, same foot.
Outside of foot, one-touch, same foot.
Two-touch, outside then inside, same foot.
Two-touch, inside then outside, same foot.
Inside receive one-touch to other foot, instep shot.
Inside receive one-touch to other foot, inside return, instep shot.
Three-touch, inside receive, self-pass to other inside and back, inside to wall.
Three-touch, inside receive, self-pass to other inside and back, instep to wall.
Inside to wall, instep receive, instep flick.
“Rapid Fire” on ground – One-Touch up close
Instep.
Inside of foot.
Outside of foot.
Instep volley.
Inside of foot volley.
Shooting: At Distance
(Approximately 15-yards or more away from the wall)
Long shooting, instep.
Bending balls, left and right swerves.
Shoot, sprint to intercept rebound, shoot again, return to distance.
Wall Pass
Use a cone as a defender to set up the scenario for an actual “wall pass” (give-and-go, one-two, 1-2.). Run perpendicular to the wall. Pass and receive left-footed in one direction and return by using the right foot.
Air: Trapping
Throw-in to wall, “table-top” chest trap, instep volley to wall.
Throw-in to wall, “concave” chest trap to ground, inside of foot to wall.
Air: Closer-to-wall volleys, send ball with an underhand throw in the air (let bounce first, if needed)
Instep receive, settle, control.
Thigh receive, settle, control.
Inside of foot receive, settle, control.
Inside of foot moving-receive-turn, take away from wall, 180-degree turn.
Air: Volleys (straight on and then side)
Instep flick to wall, inside of foot volley, settle.
Instep flick to wall, instep volley, settle.
Instep flick to wall, instep to other instep to wall, settle.
Instep flick to wall, inside of the foot to other inside of foot to wall, settle.
Flick to wall, same foot inside receive pop-up, inside to wall, settle.
Flick to wall, same foot inside receive pop-up, instep to wall, settle.
Flick to wall, same foot instep receive pop-up, instep to wall, settle.
Air: Heading (Use a THROW-IN to wall; do NOT toss ball up over-head – promotes bad technique) (Mark targets on the wall with removable “painter’s tape.”)
Header high and away (defensive header).
Header low to base of wall (offensive header).
Header high to target.
Header low to target.
Toss to wall, continuous one-touch headers. (Start close to wall, then move back.)
Fitness Sprints
(Place a disc or cone 15- to 20-yards away from the wall as a marker.)
Two dribbles toward wall from marker, inside of foot or instep drive to wall, turn and sprint back to and around marker, receive ball.
Soccer Coaching Tips:
- Build your own drills. See ‘Brazilians” and First Feints.
- Use an old ball on hard surfaces. It’s going to get scrapped and torn up.
© Copyright, John C. Harves