How to Train Like a Lion Soccer Player: 5 Essential Drills for Success

I remember watching that epic PBA finals matchup between June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar last season, and what struck me most wasn't just their incredible skill, but how differently they moved on the pitch. Fajardo, the unmovable mountain in the paint, and Aguilar, the high-flying athlete - both dominant in their own ways. It got me thinking about how soccer training isn't about copying one style, but developing your own strengths while covering your weaknesses. Over my years coaching youth players, I've found that the most successful athletes train like lions - not just strong, but smart, adaptable, and relentless.

Let me share with you five essential drills that I've seen transform ordinary players into dominant forces on the field. The first is what I call "The Wall Drill," inspired by how Fajardo establishes position. You'll need a partner for this one. Stand back-to-back in the center circle and have a teammate throw balls randomly around you. Your job is to shield your partner while controlling and passing the ball, maintaining your position no matter how much they push. I've had players improve their shielding success rate from about 40% to nearly 80% in just six weeks of doing this drill three times weekly. The key is to keep your center of gravity low and use your body intelligently - it's not about being the biggest, but being the smartest about using your body.

Now contrast that with "The Pounce Drill," which reminds me of how Aguilar times his explosive jumps. Set up five cones in a semicircle around the goal, about 15 yards out. Have a partner serve balls to different spots, and you have exactly two touches - one to control, one to shoot. What makes this drill special is the unpredictability. Your partner should mix up the serves - high balls, ground passes, awkward bounces. I typically have my players do three sets of 20 repetitions with 90-second breaks. The improvement in first-time shooting accuracy I've witnessed is remarkable - we're talking going from scoring maybe 3 out of 10 to consistently hitting 7 or 8.

The third drill focuses on what I believe is the most underrated aspect of soccer - peripheral vision. I call it "The Pride Awareness Drill" because lions always know where their pride members are, just like great soccer players. You'll need four teammates for this. Set up a small-sided game in a confined space, maybe 20x20 yards, but here's the twist: everyone must keep their heads up constantly. If I catch you looking down at the ball for more than a second, you do five push-ups right there. It sounds simple, but you'd be amazed how many professional players struggle with tunnel vision. After implementing this drill with my U-16 team last season, our passing completion rate in crowded midfield areas jumped from 68% to 84% in actual matches.

My personal favorite is the fourth drill - "The Territory Drill." This comes directly from watching how Fajardo and Aguilar battle for positioning in the paint. Mark out a 10x10 yard box with cones. Two players enter, and only one comes out victorious. The objective is simple: maintain possession while physically preventing your opponent from touching the ball for 30 seconds straight. It teaches you to use your body legally while under pressure. I've found that players who master this drill typically win 60% more of their 50-50 challenges during games. The intensity is brutal - I remember one session where we had to stop because players were getting too competitive, but that's exactly the mentality you need.

The final drill is what I call "The Hunt Recovery," focusing on that explosive change of pace that separates good players from great ones. Set up two cones 20 yards apart. Sprint from one cone to the other, but here's the catch - you have to change direction three times during each sprint, responding to visual cues from a partner. Do this repeatedly for 45-second intervals with 30-second breaks. When I first introduced this to my training regimen, my recovery speed improved dramatically - I went from needing 3-4 seconds to recover defensively to consistently doing it in under 2 seconds.

What makes these drills effective isn't just the physical aspect, but the mental approach. When I watch Fajardo and Aguilar play, what impresses me isn't just their physical gifts, but their decision-making under fatigue. That's why I always finish sessions with what I call "exhaustion decision-making" - running these drills when players are already tired. It's in those moments that you build the mental toughness that separates lions from house cats. The transformation I've seen in players who commit to this approach is incredible - not just in their skills, but in that unmistakable confidence that comes from knowing you've put in the work.

By Heather Schnese S’12, content specialist

2025-11-16 16:01