Understand this! To coach youth soccer, it is a challenge to be creative and come up with innovative tips and techniques to train the kids. The biggest challenge in teaching soccer is being creative enough to come up with great ideas so that the interest of the kids is sustained in the game.
Following are some drills that you can teach youth soccer players. These help them play the game well and have fun at the same time.
Engage the boys in dribbling and shooting: This is a simple practice that engages all the players. Make the players stand on a single goal line. Now, scatter a lot of balls all over the field. Then, tell the kids to move with the ball towards the opposition’s goal in an attacking position. They should also hit the ball as soon as they get a chance.
This exercise does a lot of good to the energy level, and confidence of the players and at the same time perks their dribbling skills. As the players do not have any resistance, they move forward without any inhibitions and this brings out their unique style.
Understanding to pass the ball: Instruct the players to make a line at a distant corner of the field. Tell them to run towards you as fast as possible as soon as you have finished counting till 3. When they are running towards you, they should also try to take over the ball from the other player who has it. When you shout stop, the ball must be passed by the player who has it to someone else.
When you coach youth soccer, these games make the kids showcase their best skills in passing and dribbling. In this way, the art of gabbing the ball from other players is also learnt by them.
Touch and Go: This is a very enjoyable game which the kids love. It requires the kids to stand in two rows under 40 meters away from the position of the goal. Besides, the goalpost should be defended by the goalie. Position yourself anywhere amongst the two lines.
The ball should then be passed on to any one row to subsequently pass or shoot the ball with just one contact. The purpose must be to convert it into a goal. Now the goalie should return the ball and continue with the practice.
In case of two or more than two goalies in team, they should be rotated between practice sessions. This game involves team effort and also improves the shooting skills. The game also provides the opportunity to learn the skill of saving the ball from getting to goalpost.
Maintaining the custody of the ball: The players will learn the art to proceed with the ball without losing its possession. Play with two people where one becomes the attacker and another, the protector. Guide them to play their respective roles and win points every time any player wins over the other.
These account for some easiest practices to coach youth soccer. Make your kids practice them and you will help them learn and have fun at the same time. Become a member of our youth soccer coaching community for more knowledge and tips on the same.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andre Botelho is known online as “The Expert Youth Soccer Coach” and his free ebooks and reports have been downloaded more than 100,000 times. Learn how to skyrocket your players’ skills and make practice sessions fun in record time. Download your free ebook at: Soccer Drills.