Technical soccer training is one of the three types of soccer practice. Among the others is physical and tactical training. Each training type is critical to becoming a well-rounded player through a comprehensive training regimen. But what is technical soccer training, and how is it different from other types of training?
Technical soccer training focuses on individual skill development. In general, these practices improve a player’s ability to perform in their position with high-quality technique. Technical training sessions incorporate drills to improve passing, dribbling, finishing, defending, and goalkeeping, depending on the players’ positions.
Technical training sessions could look slightly different at higher levels, and players in a particular role will use various drills to train a specific skill. For example, goalkeepers will practice differently than strikers or midfielders.
Read on to discover more about technical soccer training and how it’s different from the other two types of soccer training.
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What is technical soccer training?
As much as soccer is a team game, it also requires a good deal of individual skill. You can train your soccer skills through technical practice with drills incorporating any number of players, from an entire squad to solo sessions. What is technical training, and how is it different from other types of soccer practice?
Technical soccer training is a type of training that develops individual skills across various on-the-ball exercises. Passing, dribbling, finishing, defending, and goalkeeping are the primary skills trained in these sessions. Players should emphasize technique and quality during technical training sessions.
Technical soccer training is performed at a range of intensities. Start the drills in these sessions at a slow pace, focusing primarily on technique and quality. Then, crank up the intensity and execute the drill at a fast pace, worrying less about quality and more about speed.
Altering the intensity and goal of the drill is a good way for you to improve, as it emulates game-like scenarios.
These sessions are the most basic type of soccer practice. They implement a wide range of drills from passing to finishing. They always require a ball but can be done alone or with a team.
Technical training vs. tactical training
Technical training differs from other types of training, like tactical training, in that it develops individual skills through on-the-ball drills.
Technical soccer training requires a ball and emphasizes skill development, whereas tactical training includes strategy and tactic formulation, often without a ball. Technical training uses drills supporting individual player growth with less emphasis on team dynamics. It can be used alongside tactical training.
Technical and tactical training sessions can become intertwined. As teams develop strategies during tactical training, players adhere to those tactics.
For example, a strategy implementing slow buildup play requires that players make crisp passes and targeted movements off the ball. This could mean the focus shifts to passing and positioning during the next technical training session.
The strategies implemented in tactical sessions go a long way. You and your team will become more cohesive over time and harder to break down during games, leading to more wins. I know it’s not all about winning but investing in this type of training is a must for those eager to get more Ws.
If you’re a player, talk to your coach about spending more time on team tactics and strategy. If you’re a coach, consider incorporating these types of sessions into training at least twice a month.
At higher levels, tactical training becomes even more necessary, and you’ll find that coaches and their teams spend much more time in these types of sessions discussing strategy and tactics.
Technical training vs. physical training
The differences between technical and physical training are pretty straightforward. One focuses on skill development, and the other focuses on fitness.
Technical training differs from physical training in that technical practice focuses on soccer technique and overall player development. Physical training primarily focuses on improving fitness levels through intense conditioning exercises. Technical training requires a ball. Soccer drills done at high speeds and intensity can improve fitness levels.
Physical soccer training prepares players for game-like scenarios. Some positions require much more running than others, but being in great shape is never wrong.
Not much compares to being in shape for soccer season. I still remember my two-a-days in high school and three-a-days in college; preseason was the ultimate test of physical fitness for the soccer team.
Training your skills is essential, but training to be soccer-fit is equally important. Agility drills make a massive difference for soccer players and are easy to perform with minimal equipment.
Some physical training drills for soccer can use a ball to make them more applicable to the sport and less monotonous overall. High-speed dribbling drills and fast-paced, small-sided scrimmages at the end of training are good ways to increase your heart rate and build up your or your team’s physical fitness.
| Technical | Tactical | Physical |
|---|---|---|
| Develop skills (dribbling, shooting, passing, ball control, etc.) | Develop a greater understanding of the sport | Increase overall fitness levels |
| Become a better all-around player | Discuss team-oriented strategy and tactics | Can incorporate soccer balls to simulate game-like scenarios |
| Build chemistry with teammates | Review past game films to address mistakes and bad habits | Shorter; can be added onto the end of another type of training |