Let me ask you a simple question. To coach youth soccer, what are the 3 things that a coach can do? Before you answer this question, it is important to know that youth soccer is all about letting the kids have fun. The concentration should be on turning the drills into enjoyable exercises so that the players get motivated.
So, to teach youth soccer, keep in mind the following three tips. These will allow you to guide the kids to become advanced players.
Let the players have fun: As discussed, youth soccer translates into fun sessions for the players. As a coach, you must plan each session well in advance. For example, make them start with warm-up drills that prepare them for the sessions. Once done, instruct them to go ahead with the advanced drills such as passing the ball, dribbling with it and trapping etc.
In addition, help the kids do some creative thinking on their own. Stimulate the kids to challenge themselves and if they fail, do not be harsh to them. Talk to them about it after the session. The support of the parents is also extremely crucial in achieving the fun objective.
To coach youth soccer, it is vital because the players are more at home than on the field. Ask for cooperation from the parents since it is crucial in keeping a check on their daily diet, regularity in sessions, and encouragement.
Get familiar with the age of the kids: Teaching soccer to kids is between the age of 7 to 14. At this age, it is a challenge to define the drills that actually catch their attention. So, you must think proactively to consider drills that are fun for the kids. And then, make sure that you communicate in a very casual manner and instruct them in simple terms.
It is a good idea to make two or more teams and giving them names. This breeds the feeling of mutual respect. Do not test a lot as well. A good session is one that has a mix of new and old time-tested techniques.
Document the Drills: You must always write down the sessions, drills, and the goals associated with them. It aids in providing a direction to the team effort. A documented plan goes a long way in measuring the progress of the players. When you have to revisit your plan, it is easy to do so when it is in a written form.
And then, it is super-easy to measure your goals. It is perfectly usual for a few things to go wrong and in that case, you can always get back to the original plan.
It can be safely said that youth soccer is an enjoyable and ever changing job. However, with proper planning and these essential tips handy, you will succeed at it without a doubt.
Put this to test right away! These powerful techniques on coach youth soccer will make you successful and rope in great results. If you would like access to a mass of resources on youth soccer, join our youth soccer coaching community.
Andre Botelho is the author of “The Expert Youth Soccer Coaching Guide” and he’s a recognized expert in the subject of youth soccer coaching. Learn how to explode your players’ skills and make coaching sessions fun in less than 29 days! Download your free pdf guide at: Soccer Coaching Drills.