"What are Line Drills?" - Simple footwork and coordination drills done using a line on the ground which you can modify to create challenging fast feet and agility training activities.

You can use them to build soccer specific coordination, increase proprioception, balance and stability.  Soccer coaches and players really begin to relate to them when they see them being used as fast feet drills that mimic the movements they see on the field every week.

As you learn over all the new educational information and drills in this section you will learn how simple it is to add a new speed dimension into your soccer practices or your soccer speed training programs.

Line drills are in the family of what I call 'Coordination Speed Drills.'

Like all 'Coordination Speed Drills' you can use Line Drills as stand alone speed training drills or, you can add into your other speed training activities to increase the difficulty and increase the challenge to your players.

Line drills are very effective and challenging exercises that build your foot speed quickness, power, balance and coordination and probably their best quality as a speed training drill is their versatility.

#1 - You can do them anywhere you can draw a line on the ground.

#2 - They can easily be used both on the field and in the weight room.

#3 - You can easily add a ball into most of the activities.

#4 - You can add resistance to the athletes with hand weights, weighted vests, bungee cords as well as some of the more advanced cable resistance machines.

#5 - They are repetitive and rhythmic in nature which is critical for coordination and speed develpment.

#6 - Many physio therapists use variations of them to rehab athletes so they have a strong background of research and testing.

#7 - They are good for ALL ages and levels.

#8 - They can be done with large numbers of players at the same time...

#9 - They can be used for speed and conditioning activities.

How do they work?

The BASIC set up is simple - you draw any line on the ground, use the lines on the field or set up a line of 2 to 4 short cones.

Once you've established which line to use, you repeat a series simple stepping or jumping patterns, over the line you created, either 'over-and-back' or 'side-to-side'.

Each Step / Jump Pattern Has its own unique "Upper and Lower Body Rhythm" so it's important that you as the coach or trainer know which 'Arm Action/Technique' reinforces the speed of the movement of the lower body rather than slow it down.

How should I practice them for maximum benefit?

#1 - I recommend to start out each one with a practice run through of 2 to 3 sets / 30 - 50 repetitions at your own pace to get the rhythm of the footwork pattern first.

#2 - Add in the upper body technique of swinging or pumping the arms (if applicable) and practice for 2 to 3 sets / 30 - 50 reps again.

#3 - Then have someone time you for 20 seconds and count how many times you cross the line (over and back across the line = 1).

The best way to get through these and be the most efficient with your time is to have a set program.

I use a "Basic 5" Teaching Pattern that I learned from Jeremy Boone at one of the NSCAA conventions and adapted it my teaching and training systems to make learning new training topics easier for coaches and athletes.

One of the benefits of this style of systematization is it allows you to add or subtract drills and reps whenever I need to be flexible with time or content, without compromising effectiveness and results.

:: To learn more about this systemizing your speed training program check out the Soccer Speed Systems section on this website  ::

Look for the video links I have included video of the Basic 5 Line Drills under Audio/Video Training.

Hey, "Platinum Members",  I've included special video selections just for you throughout the next several pages.

Enjoy!

Click on the articles below to access these line drills and more Coordination Speed Training - Line Drills.