One of the most frustrating traits of the young player is that they always look to carry the ball towards the goal they are attacking, no matter what is in front of them. They will try and run through a crowd of opposition players with the inevitable outcome of losing the ball, rather than look around them at the space available.
The 4 goal game encourages them to move the ball forward, sideways and backwards. Possession is the key.
The training pitch is set out 40 metres long by 20 metres wide.
Mark out two goals at each end at the corners of the pitch using football cones set approximately 1 metre apart. Have two teams with 3 to 4 players in each team. The object is for each team to score as many goals as possible in any of the 4 goals. There is no need to referee the game, just let the kids play, they will keep their own score.
The football cones for this exercise are available from the training equipment department at The Soccer Store.

The passing arcs sold at The Soccer Store can be used for a variety of routines.
The first routine is designed to improve short and long range passing.
Position the passing arc with marker cones on either side at 5m, 10m and 20m intervals. Have a player on each side and get them to pass through the arc moving from the 5m marker, back to the 10m marker and then back to the 20m marker. Get them to move backwards and forwards practicing the accuracy of their passes.
The second routine involves setting the passing arc out in a slalom course and getting the players to pass through while they go round them either side or even over them, as if avoiding a tackle.
Another good use for the arcs is to use them as your goals in your small sided games. This will encourage the players to dribble the football through the goal rather than shooting from distance. This in turn improves close control.
The passing arcs can be purchased from our football training equipment section either as singles or as a set of 6 with a carry bag.

The 3 main things to consider when purchasing your football nets are as follows:
Net size: A full size net will be 24ft wide x 8ft high, with a junior size net being 21ft x 7ft. There are a whole range of sizes up to the full size nets to cover 5-a-side goals, 7-a-side goals and 9-a-side goals.
Net type: Three measurements should be given when ordering new nets.
1. The size of the goal frame, i.e. 24 x 8ft
2. The runback of the net at the top. This is to accommodate net supports, if they are used. If they are not present then the top runback should be zero.
3. The bottom runback. This tells us how far the net runs back at the bottom.
Goals without any type of net support require a net with zero or a flat runback.
Goals with nets supports require a continental type net.
Goals with a frame to support the sides of the net require International type nets.
The final type of net is the box net, where the side of the net is a rectangular shape. These are usually only used by professional clubs.
Net twine size: A good quality net should have a twine size of at least 3mm.
You can purchase a full range of football nets at The Soccer Store

Ice packs are great for treatment on soft tissue injuries and assist in the reduction of pain, swelling and long term damage. It is best to use the pack immediately after injury or at least within 48 hours of the injury occurring. Use the pack for ten to fifteen minutes at a time and allow for the area to return to normal temperature before using more ice packs.
The Single use ice pack can be used immediately. All you need to do is to break the seal within the pack and then shake it for a few seconds. Once used dispose of the pack responsibly.
It’s always a good idea to carry a few packs in your football first aid kit and then they are ready for use whenever you need them. The Koolpak Ice Packs sell for just 99p each at The Soccer Store and there are further reductions for bulk purchases.

We have a range of winter football equipment that can be used on astroturf or indoors available at The Soccer Store.
The items designed specifically for this use are as follows:
Flat Disc Markers: These are for use on hard surfaces and provide a non slip marker for laying out pitches and training routines. They come in packs of 10, either multi-coloured or plain white and sell for £10 per pack.
Slalom Pole and Base: The slalom poles are supplied with a spike on the bottom, so they can normally only be used on grass surfaces. The bases allow the poles to be used indoors. The spike sits inside the base.
Passing Arc and Bases: As with the slalom pole the passing arc is normally supplied with spikes. This modified arc has no spikes and is supplied with 2 rubber feet, allowing it to be used on hard surfaces.
Free Kick Mannequin and Base: Again the base for this piece of football equipment allows it to be used on hard surfaces.