Skills and soccer sense tests:

This is a "work in progress" document that combines a bunch of our weekly tests from past years. We'll fine tune it as time allows, with the goal of creating an easy way for a player to complete a test and submit it on-line. As it stands now, there's duplication in some areas, missing content in others, but we think there's enough for a player to find something challenging.

Skills tests: We have tests related to individual skills in several areas:

• Dribbling
• Passing & receiving
• Individual attacking
• Crossing
• Finishing
• Defending
• Goalkeeping

Soccer sense tests: We have some tests related to decision-making, also known as soccer sense:

• Positional sense
• Support
• Decision making

Dribbling

You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can demonstrate two different stop-and-go dribbling moves and two different dribbling turns, and also answer these soccer questions:

• Dribbling #1: What are the keys to a successful dribbling move?

  • Dribble right into the defender to see if she's a ghost.

  • Keep the ball under close control as you go into the move, "sell" the move, then explode out of the move.

  • Keep the ball under close control as you go into the move, wait for the defender to get close, then touch the ball about one step away.

• Dribbling #2: When is a good time to try a stop-and-go dribbling move:

  • When the defender is in front of you.

  • When the defender is behind you.

  • When the defender is to the side of you.

• Dribbling #3: When is a good time to try a dribbling turn:

  • When you're dribbling toward the other team's goal.

  • When you're dribbling away from the other team's goal.

  • When you're sitting on the couch drinking root beer and watching wrestling.

Weekly quiz - dribbling moves:  You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you demonstrate the following dribbling moves and also describe when it makes sense to use them in games.

• Turns:  pull-back, U-turn, Cruyff turn, stop turn, step-over turn, twist-off turn
• Stop and go moves:  one-foot and two-foot variations
• Moves to beat a defender:  demonstrate two different moves that allow you to get behind a defender

Weekly quiz - dribbling moves:  You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can answer the following questions.

1. There are a lot of different dribbling moves. We usually group them into three categories. What are the three categories? (Hint: one of the categories is dribbling turns)

2. What are the three parts to each dribbling move?

3. Demonstrate your favorite dribbling turn.

4. Demonstrate your favorite stop and go move.

5. Demonstrate your favorite move to beat a defender.

6. Speaking of moves to beat a defender, where should you use them, and where should you not use them?

7. Fill in the blanks: "Bones and shin guards - ______. Open space - ______"

Weekly quiz - dribbling for possession:  You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can pass a test about dribbling for possession. You'll need to answer the following questions, plus demonstrate three different dribbling turns and two different stop-and-go moves.

1. What should you do with your head?
2. Which foot should you use when you have open space?
3. Which foot should you use when a defender is close?
4. What should you do with your body?
5. What are the three parts of a successful dribbling move?

Weekly quiz - dribbling for penetration (getting behind a defender):  You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can answer the following questions, plus demonstrate two different foot or body fakes you can use to unbalance a defender and beat her.

1. Areas of the field (defensive third, midfield third, attacking third): Where does it make the most sense to try and get behind a defender? Where does it make the least sense?
2. You receive a ball and have open space in front of you. What should you do?
3. There's a defender 5-10 steps in front of you, between you and the other team's goal. What should you do?
4. There's a defender a step away, between you and the other team's goal. What should you do?

This week's quiz relates to dribbling moves. You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can demonstrate two dribbling turns, two stop-and-go moves, and two moves to get behind a defender, along with answering these questions:

Question 1:  You're dribbling down the sideline in the opponent's end of the field and you're a step or two ahead of the defender. What's your best choice?

• Do a stop-and-go move or change speeds.
• Do a dribbling turn.
• Cut the ball inside and dribble directly toward goal.
• Yell "keeper!" and jump on the ball.

Question 2:  You're dribbling down the sideline in the opponent's end of the field and you're even with the defender. What's your best choice?

• Do a stop-and-go move or change speeds.
• Do a dribbling turn.
• Cut the ball inside and dribble directly toward goal.
• Yell "keeper!" and jump on the ball.

Question 3:  You're dribbling down the sideline in the opponent's end of the field and the defender is between you and the opponent's goal. What's your best choice?

• Do a stop-and-go move or change speeds.
• Do a dribbling turn.
• Cut the ball inside and dribble directly toward goal.
• Yell "keeper!" and jump on the ball.

Passing and receiving

Weekly quiz - passing:  You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can pass a test about passing. You'll need to answer the following questions, plus pass a passing accuracy test. You'll need to hit your target four out of five times with your main foot, three out of five times with your other foot.

1. When you want the most accuracy, which part of your foot do you use to strike the ball?
2. When do you look away from the ball?
3. When do you look at the ball?
4. What do you do with your plant foot (also called the standing foot)?
5. How is your foot shaped when you strike the ball?
6. How hard do you need to strike the ball?
7. What do you do after you strike the ball?

Weekly quiz - passing and receiving:  

1. Passing: Which foot surface gives you the best control when making a short-to-medium distance pass?

2. Passing: What should you do with your non-kicking foot?

3. Passing: The best short-to-medium distance passes stay on the ground. Which part of the ball do you strike to make sure it stays on the ground?

4. Passing: Why is a firm pass better than a "soggy" pass?

5. Passing: When or why should you take a "clean up" touch before passing the ball?

6. Receiving: Which foot surface gives you the best control when receiving ground ball passes?

7. Receiving: Should your knees be bent or straight?

8. Receiving: Should your ankle be locked or unlocked?

9. Receiving: Should your toes be pointed down or up?

10. Receiving: Where do you want the ball to go on your 1st touch?

Weekly quiz - ball striking (passing, shooting, crossing):  You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can answer these questions about ball striking.

1. Which foot surface gives you the best control?
2. Do you want the ball under your body or out in front?
3. What should you look at before you strike the ball?
4. What should you do with your hips?
5. What should you do with your plant foot (also called your standing foot)?
6. Head over the ball, or head leaning back?
7. What should you look at when you strike the ball?
8. Which part of the ball should you strike to keep it on the ground?
9. How should your kicking foot be shaped when you strike the ball?
10. What should your kicking foot do after you hit the ball?

Weekly quiz - where to aim when striking the ball:  You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can answer these questions about hitting your target during ball striking.

1. If you're passing to an open player, where should you aim the pass?
2. If you're passing to a player who is under pressure (for example, taking a goal kick), where should you aim the pass?
3. If you're passing to a player who is running into open space, where should you aim the pass?
4. When you hit a "crossing pass" near the opponent's goal, where should you aim your cross?
5. If you're shooting on goal, where should you aim your shot?
6. Which body parts control your aim when you pass and shoot?

Weekly quiz - passing and receiving with the inside of the foot:  You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can pass a test about passing and receiving. You'll need to answer the following questions, plus demonstrate proper passing and receiving technique.

1. Why use the inside of the foot?
2. What should you do with your other foot?
3. Legs straight or knees bent?
4. Lean forward or lean backward?
5. Toes up or toes down?
6. Floppy or locked ankle?
7. In your dreams or in your nightmares?

Weekly quiz - receiving air balls:  You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can pass a test about receiving air balls. You'll need to answer the following questions, plus demonstrate proper air ball receiving technique.

1. Why should you try to receive air balls rather than letting them go bouncy-bounce?
2. Roofing the ball: what does this mean?
3. Roofing: should you place your receiving foot directly over the ball, to the side of the ball, or at an angle above the ball?
4. Roofing: play the ball before it bounces, right as it hits the ground, or after it bounces into the air?
5. Roofing: what body part or body parts do you want over the ball?
6. Thigh control: should your knee and upper leg be level with the ground, pointing up, or pointing down?
7. Running through the ball: what does this mean?
8. In your dreams or in your nightmares?

Weekly quiz - receiving / 1st touch:  You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can answer the following questions and demonstrate proper technique when receiving ground ball passes.

Receiving - general questions:

1. Body posture when receiving: crouched, upright or leaning back?

2. Foot shape of the receiving foot: toes down or toes up?

3. Ankle position of the receiving leg: locked or unlocked?

4. Your other foot: plant firmly on the ground, or take a slight hop as you receive?

Receiving in open space:

1. Which foot should you use to receive a pass?

2. Body shape: back to goal, back to the sideline or side-on to the nearest defender?

3. Direction of 1st touch: toward goal or away from the nearest defender?

Receiving under pressure:

1. Which foot should you use to receive a pass?

2. Body shape: back to goal, back to the sideline or side-on to the nearest defender?

3. Direction of 1st touch: toward goal or away from the nearest defender?

You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can demonstrate proper technique for receiving balls out of the air and also answer these questions:

• Air balls #1:  What are the keys to receiving a ball out of the air (answer true or false to each choice).

  • Let the ball bounce until it slows down, then stand on it like you're crushing a grape.

  • Get your body behind the ball.

  • Have a stiff, upright posture.

  • Have a crouched, balanced posture, with knees bent.

  • Try to kick the ball before it bounces.

  • Try to cushion the ball with your foot or thigh before it bounces.

  • "Roof" it with your foot as it hits the ground.

  • Toe bash the ball out of bounds.

• Air balls #2:  The ball is coming to you out of the air. A defender is coming at you from the front. What's your best choice?

  • Run away and ask to borrow the crying towel.

  • Toe bash the ball out of bounds.

  • Receive the ball with your foot or thigh and settle it in front of you.

  • "Roof" the ball with the inside or outside of your foot to take the ball away at an angle into open space.

  • Let the ball bounce and try to get your body between the ball and the defender.

Individual attacking

Weekly quiz:  You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can demonstrate proper shielding technique and show how to "open up" if you pass to a teammate to get out of a shielding situation.

You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can:

• answer the following questions about "the first attacker"
• make the proper decisions as "the first attacker" in various game situations

You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can answer these True / False questions about the role of the 1st attacker (the player with the ball):

• Question #1:  When should you dribble?

  • When you have open space.

  • When you're in a crowd near our own goal.

  • When a teammate is wide open in front of the other team's goal.

  • When you are near the other team's goal and there's only one defender between you and a clear shot on goal.

• Question #2:  When should you pass?

  • When you have open space.

  • When you're in a crowd near our own goal.

  • When a teammate is wide open in front of the other team's goal.

  • When you're near the goal line between the corner of the field and the goal post.

  • When you are near the other team's goal and there's only one defender between you and a clear shot on goal.

• Question #3:  When should you shoot?

  • When you're in a crowd near our own goal.

  • When someone on the sideline screams "Shoot!"

  • When you're playing defender, and a forward or midfielder plays you a "dream ball" pass in the other team's half of the field.

  • When you are at midfield.

  • When a teammate is wide open in front of the other team's goal.

  • When you're near the goal line between the corner of the field and the goal post.

  • When you have a clear view of goal and you're near or in the other team's penalty area.

  • When you are near the other team's goal and there's only one defender between you and a clear shot on goal.

Weekly quiz - individual attacking:  You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can answer these questions about individual attacking.

1. When you have the ball, we ask you to keep the ball moving. Why?

2. When you have the ball, we ask you to get your head up. Why?

3. When you have the ball, we ask you to find open space. Why?

4. What should you do differently when you have the ball in traffic compared to when you have the ball in open space? Hint: Think about which "foot surfaces" (parts of the feet) you use when you're in tight space, and which foot surface you use when you have open space.

Weekly quiz - juggling:  Juggling a soccer ball is fun, and it develops several skills that can help you become a better soccer player. You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if:

• You can name at least two of the skills juggling helps you improve.
• You can "juggle your age," with only one bounce for 2nd-year players, two bounces for new players. Or juggle "round the world:" foot-thigh-head-thigh-foot, no bounces.

Crossing

You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can answer these questions about crossing and finishing crosses:

• Question #1:  What is a cross (soccer definition)?

  • A pass from a wide position across the field into the area in front of the goal.

  • Something you use to keep vampires away.

• Question #2:  Where should you aim a cross?

  • At the vampire's eyes.

  • The middle of the penalty area (the "big box"), away from the goalie.

  • Toward the near post, right at the goalie.

• Question #3:  How can you make sure you put the cross in the right place?

  • If the vampire runs away, you know you've put the cross in the right place.

  • Someone on the sideline yells "Yeah baby!"

  • Take a final "prep" touch to get your hips turned toward the center of the penalty area before you hit the cross, then point your plant foot toward your target before you strike the ball.

• Question #4:  How do you finish a cross?

  • Run in front of the goal, then stand and wait on the cross and swing hard.

  • Delay your run so that you're going forward to meet the cross, then meet the ball with the inside of your foot while you're still running forward.

  • By laughing heartily as the vampire runs away.

Finishing

You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can demonstrate proper shooting technique and answer these questions about finishing:

• Finishing #1:  What should you do with your last touch before you shoot?

  • Keep the ball close to your body.

  • Take a touch toward goal, 1-2 steps out from your body.

  • Toe bash the ball out of bounds.

• Finishing #2:  Where do you usually want to shoot the ball?

  • High over the goalkeeper's head.

  • Right at the keeper. (Try to hurt her.)

  • Low toward a corner, away from the keeper. (Try to hurt her feelings.)

• Finishing #3:  What should you do after you shoot?

  • Follow the shot so you're ready to pounce on any rebound.

  • Stand and wait for a parade.

  • Run back to get ready to cover the punt.

Defending

1v1 defending quiz:  See how you do with these questions about 1v1 defending.

• Defending #1:  What is the role of the 1st defender?

  • Pressure the attacker.

  • Hope someone else can stop the attacker.

  • Pick up cones.

• Defending #2:  What does "goal-side" mean?

  • Stand to the side of the goal.

  • Get between the opponent and the goal she is attacking.

  • Get between the opponent and the goal you are attacking.

• Defending #3:  When do you shut down space (also called "close down space") on defense?

  • Before the ball is passed.

  • When the ball is passed, before the attacker has controlled it.

  • After the ball is passed, and the attacker has already controlled it.

• Defending #4:  How do you shut down space (also called "close down space")?

  • Run fast, straight at the attacker.

  • Make a zig-zag run toward the attacker.

  • Run fast, making a curved run until you're a few steps away from the attacker, then slow down and get into a crouched, side-on position.

• Defending #5a:  How should you position yourself when defending 1v1?

  • Get "side on" to the attacker, about 1-2 steps away, forcing her to dribble away from goal (we call this "jockeying" or "channeling" the attacker).

  • Face the attacker straight on about 1-2 steps away, giving her a choice of going either left or right.

  • Turn your back to the attacker. (We call this "stoogepid.")

• Defending #5b:  When you're defending near your own goal (where the other team is trying to score), which way do you want to force the attacker?

  • Away from our goal.

  • Toward our goal.

• Defending #5c:  When you're defending near the other team's goal (where our team scores), which way do you want to force the attacker?

  • Away from their goal.

  • Toward their goal.

• Defending #6:  What type of stance should you have when defending 1v1?

  • Stand upright.

  • Crouch, with your weight on your heels.

  • Crouch, with your weight on the balls of your feet.

• Defending #7:  What is most important when defending?

  • Stay goal-side, keep your feet moving, stay patient and wait for the attacker to make a mistake.

  • "Dive in" and risk getting toasted like an English muffin.

  • Win the ball as soon as possible.

• Defending #8:  When should you try to steal the ball or knock it away ("tackle" it)?

  • As soon as possible!

  • When the attacker makes a mistake

  • When you have a teammate in "cover" position

• Defending #9:  If you're able to steal the ball, what should you do with it?

  • Take a touch to open space, and get your head up as soon as possible.

  • Pick it up and hold it over your head like a trophy.

  • Knock it right back into the attacker's legs ("bones & shin-guards").

• Defending #10:  If the attacker beats you, what should you do?

  • Grab her shirt, pull her back and ask for her autograph.

  • Immediately make a "recovery run" to get back into a goal-side position.

  • Go boo-hoo-hoo, then go home to drink root beer and watch wrestling.

• Bonus questions - "own" goals. An "own" goal is when you score against your own team.

  • What's the best way to avoid scoring an own goal?

    • Skip the game and stay home drinking root beer and watching wrestling.

    • Stand near the other team's goal so this can't happen.

    • Position yourself so you aren't facing your own goal.

  • If you score an own goal (it even happens to the pros!), how would you react?

    • Keep playing and learn from your mistake.

    • Go boo-hoo-hoo, then go home to drink root beer and watch wrestling.

    • Quit soccer and start cheer-leading.

Goalkeeping

Weekly quiz :  You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can answer the following questions about the goalkeeper position.

1. Fill in the blanks:  A goalie is a _____  _____ who can _____  _____  _____.

2. What's the difference between a "statue" goalie and a "soccer player" goalie?

3. When the ball is near the other team's goal, where should our goalie be positioned?

4. Who protects the space behind our defenders?

5. Where should you aim goal kicks?

6. Punting: Should you throw the ball up in the air or drop it to your foot?

7. Punting: Lean back or lean forward as you kick the ball?

8. Low ball saves: Fingers down and palms out, or fingers out and palms down?

9. Low ball saves: On your knees, or on your toes with your knees bent and body crouched?

10. An opponent has the ball and has broken through our defense. What should you do?

Weekly quiz - goalkeeping:  You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can answer the following questions about playing goalkeeper.

1. Is a goalie a statue or a soccer player?
2. Where can a goalie use her hands?
3. There are two situations when a goalie can't use her hands in the penalty area (the "big box"). What are they?
4. An opponent looks like she's ready to shoot. What should you do - start moving, crouch with your hands low and to your sides, or stand tall and proud with your hands up?
5. An opponent takes a shot. Do you wait for the ball, go to the ball, or go through the ball?
6. Demonstrate proper "low ball" hand positioning and "high ball" hand positioning.
7. How often do you want to be on your knees when you make a save?
8. After you make a save, what should you do with the ball?
9. Where should you aim goal kicks?
10. In your dreams or in your nightmares?

Positional sense

Weekly quiz - soccer body shape:  You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can answer these questions about "body shape" and how it relates to soccer.

1. Does "body shape" refer to being tall or short, big or small, or something else?
2. You're defending near our goal. What's the proper body shape?
3. You're a center mid and have the ball near the center circle. What's the proper body shape?
4. You're a forward looking to get open for a pass from a teammate. What's the proper body shape?
5. You're a forward looking to take a shot on goal. What's the proper body shape?

This week's quiz is challenging. It deals with decisions related to positional sense. You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can properly answer the following questions.

• Playing in the back:

  • Our goalie has the ball and is getting ready to punt. Where should you position yourself?

  • Our goalie has just punted the ball, and it's heading toward the middle of the field. What should you do?

  • Our goalie is getting ready to take a goal kick. Where should you position yourself?

  • You're our left defender. Our left forward is attacking up the side. What should you do?

  • The other team just won the ball in their own end of the field. Where should you position yourself?

  • You're our left defender. The other team's left forward is attacking up the side (the other side of the field). What should you do?

  • Our other defender is challenging for a loose ball. What should you do?

  • How can you score while playing in the back?

• Playing midfield:

  • How should you position yourself when we have the ball?

  • How should you position yourself when the other team has the ball?

• Playing up top:

  • You're playing left forward. Our left defender wins the ball. Where should you position yourself?

  • You're playing left forward. Our right forward is dribbling toward goal on the right side of the field.  Where should you position yourself?

  • You're playing left forward. The other team's right defender just won the ball (she's on your side of the field). What should you do?

  • You're playing left forward. You beat one of the other team's defenders and are dribbling toward goal. What should you do?

Support

You can win a treat after Wednesday's practice if you can demonstrate how to support a teammate with the ball, and also answer these questions about the role of the 2nd attacker:

• Support #1: Where do you support a teammate who isn't under pressure?

  • Directly in front of her

  • Ahead at an angle

  • Directly behind her

  • Behind at an angle

• Support #2: Where do you support a teammate who is under pressure?

  • Directly in front of her

  • Ahead at an angle

  • Directly behind her

  • Behind at an angle

• Support #3: What is the proper support distance from the 1st attacker?

  • 5 yards away

  • 10-15 yards away

  • 20 yards away

  • Depends on whether the 1st attacker is under pressure or not

• Support #4: What do we mean by "proper body shape" and "receive with the front foot?"

Decision-making

• You win a loose ball near our goal. An opponent is right in front of you. What is your smartest play, and why?

  • Try to beat the defender on the dribble.
  • Turn to shield the ball and look for a teammate supporting from behind.
  • Try to juggle the ball over the defender's head.
  • Pass back to our goalie.

• A teammate wins a loose ball near our goal. An opponent is right in front of her. What is your smartest play (not your teammate's smartest play), and why?

  • Run to an open space directly behind your teammate.
  • Run to an open space diagonally behind your teammate.
  • Run to an open space in front of your teammate.
  • Get up close to your teammate.

• You win a loose ball inside the other team's penalty area. An opponent is coming toward you from the side. A teammate behind you is calling for the ball. What is your smartest play, and why?

  • Try to beat the defender on the dribble.
  • Turn to shield the ball and pass back to your teammate supporting from behind.
  • Take a shot on goal.
  • Pass back to our goalie.

• You're dribbling at top speed down the side of the field. An opponent is coming up fast from behind you on the inside, and you think she'll catch you. What should you do?

  • Try to shoot before she catches you.
  • Cut inside toward goal and try to shoot.
  • Wait for the defender to get ahead of you, then do a dribbling turn and cut inside.
  • Wait for the defender to get even with you, then do a stop-and-go move.
  • Wait for the defender to get ahead of you, then do a dribbling turn and pass back to our defender or center mid.