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 focus should be on making drills and sessions so exciting that they are always full of enthusiasm.
Hence, to teach youth soccer, bear in mind the following conventions. These will allow you to guide the kids to become advanced players.
Make the kids enjoy the game: As we talked about it earlier, having fun and enjoyment is the key to youth soccer. As a coach, make sure to regulate your sessions early enough. For instance, make the kids do some warm-up exercises to prepare them for the main drills. Once done, instruct them to go ahead with the advanced drills such as passing the ball, dribbling with it and trapping etc.
Also, allow the kids to be creative in their approach. Motivate the kids to attempt new things and when they make mistakes, which is natural, do not disrupt them. Talk to them about it after the session. Parents need to be actively involved if the game has to be made enjoyable for the children.
To coach youth soccer, this is crucial since the kids spend more time with their parents than on the field. Ask the parents to inspire the kids, keep a track of their diet, and be regular in their training sessions.
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. Therefore, you must spend a considerable time researching on various drills that are appropriate for this age group. Also, communicate carefully with them as they may not understand your intent behind the exercises if you are too formal in your approach.
It is a good idea to make two or more teams and giving them names. This instills brotherhood. It is recommended not to conduct a lot of experimentation also. The sign of a productive session is that there are both new and old drills.
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. The documentation also helps you in evaluating the progress of the players. If something needs a change, written plan will assist you in assessing it.
You can determine your goals easily too. It is natural that some things go wrong in which case, you can always retrace your steps.
It is correct to say that youth soccer coaching is a great job full of excitement and accountability. With this information at your disposal, you will without doubt be able to do full justice to your job.
Test them right way. These tips on coach youth soccer are sure to bring positive results for your team. Subscribe to our youth soccer coaching community where there is a wealth of resources on youth soccer.
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.