I'm looking for a training ball that is attached to a bungee chord. I've seen it at Champions Soccer Clinic held by Dicicco and Ray Reid. They have a guy come out and demonstrate it every year but I can't remember his name or the product name. Does anyone know what the product is, or a similar one? Also, if you've used it, to what degree do you think it helped? And with what age group did you use it with?
I used one as a player in HS, can't say it helped much. I could never strike the ball such that it came back on tether so I could trap. But they still sell them, I would go to any big site, BS may have one. Look under training aids.
Here's what you want: Multi-Touch Soccer ball. I was introduced to it by Dan Gaspar at Star Goalkeeper Academy. Honestly, I think it has a bit more value as a goalkeeper trainer than as a field player trainer... and even then, it works as a novelty item or something to use if you just can't find a partner to train with. It works as a goalkeeper aid because goalkeepers are supposed to catch balls coming at them, yet the bungee cord doesn't always make the return completely predictable. I'll sometimes do a "fun" keeper training session using one of these balls. (Beware, the cord takes a bit of a toll on gloves.) I dislike them as a field player trainer (much like the Star Kick or other "ball in a net on a cord" gadgets) because they give no negative feedback when striking the ball. You get plenty of touches receiving, which can be useful, but you can strike the ball any which way and it comes back. For field players, the only gadget like this I'd use is one that anchors into the ground, like the Soccer Edge Bungee trainer. You truly see where your strike would go, as well as take away the need to chase the ball, and get practice receiving also.
ball and a wall. soccer, basketball, lacrosse, etc shoot, pass, clear, chip, give and goes. train both feet. the wall, it never ever gets tired. youcan also use steps, a picnic table on it's side, even a curb.
As vanilla as that advice is... I tend to agree. When I was a kid, I bought a tango just for use at a local outdoor raquetball court. I would ride my bike 2 miles to the court and kick that ball until I could barely walk. It was a long ride home, but I was able to get a LOT of touches and really work on my technique.
I think we all agree that a wall is the best, but they can be hard to come by. For all intents and purposes, there is only one public wall that I can use for my kids. And I go there for one of my two weekly practices, but the turf around it is shot, so it's a weird tradeoff to use it.
my 10 yr old daughter uses posts and steps on the deck, small areas of foundation on the house, a curb in front of the house, a picnic table on it's side, the playhouse attached to our swingset, even a sofa in the basement. the best thing about all of these is that the return is so unusal each time
If you look back at a lot of my posts, you'll see I agree most with the "ball and a wall". The problem is that we don't have that available at our fields during practice. Nothing similar exists there. I have requested that the booster club build one, but that's in the works. Thanks for all your input.
ctsoccer, the easiest (kinda) and cheapest portable "kick wall" I've ever used is a folding table, the older kind with the plywood or particle board top. Simple unfold the legs, lay it over on its side, and voila! Of course, they are heavy and unwieldy to cart around, so it may not be an option for you unless you can store it somewhere nearby (or have a truck). I've tried the new lightweight plastic tables, but they don't have enough mass to hold still (they'd need to be anchored somehow) and don't give as good a rebound. They certainly are easier to haul, though!
ctsoccer13 I sold the Multi Touch ball for 6 years and demo'd it at tournaments all the time. I have to take umbrage with what one of the posters said about not getting positive feedback from the product when striking it. Unlike many other products out there, this one must be struck correctly with proper technique for it to return to the foot. The best example I can use is the old paddle ball... strike the little rubber bastard wrong, and no way can you keep it going. The multi touch ball is good for inside of the foot, and laces, as well as receiving exercises. If what you want is a free kick trainer, this is not the product for you. If what you are looking for is a good way to train consistancy on one touch strikes, balance, and muscle memory, this is definately the best product out there that I know of. As for kicking against a wall, this is exactly the same, except you don't annoy your neighbors or parents, you don't have to chase down a lose ball every time you miss, and of course you don't have to have a wall! I haven't represented the company in years, but I can tell you I just recently purchased 3 of them for use in my striker training clinics.
I get the Sklz / Star Kick off of Amazon ... free shipping and a cheaper price but also available at Target or Walmart. The neoprene sleeve holds any ball securely. I give my kids old weights to hold down the elastic so they don't put it around their waist. Where I am there aren't many places for a kid to kick a ball off a wall where they won't break anything and these really do the trick. I am coaching a lower level select team at the moment (meaning some of the kids could be in rec) and it has helped many of them with striking the ball firmly and on target. Walls work, but you have to chase (not bad but kids will sometimes quit) and you have to make sure you aren't going to break anything. Best option is a friend, but again, I'd rather have them do something than nothing if a wall or friend isn't available.
That was me, so let me clarify--it doesn't give positive feedback THEY WAY MOST KIDS WOULD USE IT. I've seen kids with their Star Kicks, and here is what happens: Blast!. When the ball stops bouncing around finally, settle it and whack it again!. Done that way, it is worse than useless. Given careful use and instruction, yes, it can be a useful tool. Like I said, I own several MultiTouch balls, although I use it for goalkeeping more than field players. It works quite well for that, as there is no neoprene "bag" a la the Star Kick to interfere with catching the ball. That feature would help a bit with kicking work as well.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a good, durable ball that holds up to repeated use against a wall or curb? I've used this as training for myself growing up and now to work on technique with the kids I coach but one detriment is that the ball can get torn up pretty easily sometimes.
The best tend to be a cheaper ball with a cheaper/tougher/harder brand of leather. You can usually pick them up at Dicks or Target. If they pop or shred, you're only out a few bucks. The newer softer soccer balls simply tear and shread on concrete, and are too pricey to be off grass. Depending on your situation, you might also try an indoor ball... they look like a giant tennis ball. Not really made for concrete, but great to train in a raquetball court.
i'd head over to a "play it again sports" if you have them in your area. you can pick up cheap used soccer balls pretty easily.
Thanks Ace and poog. I had forgotten about those crazy indoor balls. Play it again is a really good idea as well.
I can appreciate your candor... but the fact is, if you don't use a soccer ball and a wall correctly, the training is worthless as well. The product works, it just depends on what you put into it - just like any other type of training.