Let's face it! To coach youth soccer, it is a challenge to be creative and come up with innovative tips and techniques to train the kids. In teaching soccer, it is a huge stress to keep innovating new tricks to make soccer drills enjoyable for kids.
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.
Employ the players to do dribbling and shooting: This is an easy drill that helps all the players practice at the same time. Make the players stand on a single goal line. Now, spread the balls all over the soccer field. Then, make the kids move with the ball as if they are attacking the opponent’s goal. They should also hit the ball as soon as they get a chance.
This drill goes a long way in improving the stamina, dribbling skills, and confidence of the players. Since the kids do not have any opposition while they dribble, it also brings out their individual style.
Teach them to pass the ball: Tell the kids to position themselves at the far end of the field. Start counting till 3 and when you finish, order them to run to you as fast as they can. While they are running towards you, they also need to steal the ball from the other player who is kicking the ball. When you shout stop, the ball must be passed by the player who has it to someone else.
To coach youth soccer, these drills are the best tools to teach the kids passing and dribbling. This way, the players also learn a very important skill of snatching the ball from other players.
Touch and Go: It’s a very interesting game which kids love to play. The kids should get in two lines distant from the goal post which is less than 40 meters away. Also, the goalie should defend the goalpost. Position yourself anywhere amongst the two lines.
Now pass the ball to one of the queues and instruct them to shoot or pass the ball using only one touch. The objective should be to attack the goal. Once the goalie returns the ball, carry on with the practice.
In case of two or more than two goalies in team, they should be rotated between practice sessions. This sport encourages team effort and helps improve shooting skills. Also, the goalkeepers learn to save the ball from hitting the goal post.
Keeping the ball with you: Players get to learn the skill of moving ahead with the ball protecting it from the opposite team. Get two players so that one plays as attacker and second guards the ball. 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. When you have your kids do these drills, they’ll not only learn but enjoy as well. Become a member of our youth coaching community for more knowledge and tips on the same.
Andre Botelho is known online as "The Expert Youth Soccer Coach" and his free Coach youth soccer 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 Coaching Youth Soccer ebook at: Soccer Coaching Drills.