What if I told you that coaches do make such mistakes in kids soccer drills that have the potential to destroy a team and make it a loser. Yes, it is true. A good number of you might be wondering what on earth could be so big to get the team on a losing track. Okay then, let it be known that reasons are countless.
When it comes to soccer drills for kids, you have to be very careful and strategic. Make it a point to know and value psychology of the kids. Talk to the kids in a manner that they find most suitable. But it’s really sad that a lot of coaches are still untrained to get used to this. They fail to realize that there is a distinction in coaching kids and coaching grown-up players.
So here it is; top mistakes or sins as I call them that coaches make and put their teams on a losing track.
1. Many coaches take their jobs for granted. They do not plan the sessions, prepare the drills, or bother about reaching the field in time. Such behavior is bad and also has the potential to sadden the kids. Kids take soccer very seriously and so should you. Youth soccer drills should be pre-planned. Arrange for various equipments needed to perform the drills before-hand.
Always be prompt. Always reach the field before the kids. In reality, be present there to welcome the kids. It provides you some spare time to review the drills and organize things better.
2. When the coaches deliver the instructions before the kids soccer drills, they tend to take a lot of time. Can you anticipate how boring that can get? You must appreciate that kids are more eager to play than hearing long speeches. Keep the lecture short and sweet. Use this talk to motivate the kids and increase their confidence.
It is extremely vital that the kids are not interrupted while playing. If you have noted anything wrong, share it after the drill has ended. And stand outside the field when the kids are playing.
3. Some coaches get ruthless and unkind while dealing with the kids. In soccer drills for youth, this can prove to be catastrophic. It is bad to display weak behaviour on the soccer field. It is fine for the kids to make errors. Remember, they are just kids. Never take things very critically and make it an excuse to get bad with the players.
In such a situation, you disengage the kids from the game and also create problems for yourself. Soccer is about mind games. Make the kids realize this and you would have motivated them.
Stay away from these issues in kids soccer drills. If you would like information on what you should or shouldn’t do, join our youth soccer coaching community. You will be surprised by how big an improvement you can make by your decision.
Andre Botelho is a recognized authority in youth soccer coaching and has already helped thousands of youth coaches to dramatically improve their coaching skills. Learn how to explode your players’ skills and make training fun by downloading your free ebook at: Soccer Training Drills.