Let’s face it! In order to coach youth soccer, it is always difficult to think and create new drills that are interesting as well as useful for the kids. In teaching soccer, the biggest difficulty is to keep thinking about new ideas that make the training for kids interesting.
Here are some exercises that you can teach youth soccer players. These help them not just focus on the game, become proficient in soccer, but also enjoy the game.
Engage the boys in dribbling and shooting: This is a simple practice that engages all the players. Instruct the players to stand on a single goal line. Now distribute 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 shoot the ball as soon as they have an opportunity.
This drill goes a long way in improving the stamina, dribbling skills, and confidence of the players. As the kids do not face any opposition while moving forward, it reflects their style of playing soccer.
Teach them to pass the ball: Tell the kids to position themselves at the far end of the field. Count till 3 and as soon as you finish, instruct them to run towards you as fast as they can. When they are running towards you, they should also try to take over the ball from the other player who has it. When you say stop, the player who has the ball must pass it to another player.
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: A game full of fun that kids just love to play it. In this game, tell them to make two lines at a distance of less than 40 feet from the goal post. Also, the goalie should defend the goalpost. Situate yourself in between these two queues.
You pass the ball to one line and subsequently coach them to shoot or pass the ball with one stroke only. The purpose must be to convert it into a 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 enables players to perk up their shooting skills through team effort. Also, the goalkeepers learn to save the ball from hitting the goal post.
Maintaining the custody of the ball: The players will learn the art to proceed with the ball without losing its possession. Take two players, one acts as the defender and the other attacker. Instruct them to start moving the ball as per their roles and when a player dominates the other, reward him with a point.
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.