Shall I ask you a straightforward question? In order to Coach youth soccer, what 3 things should a coach do? Before you answer this question, it is important to know that youth soccer is all about letting the kids have fun. The attention should always be making the exercises exciting so that the players have fun all the time.
Therefore, to teach youth soccer, take care of the following instructions. These will give you the leverage to turn the young kids into expert players.
Let the players have fun: As discussed, youth soccer translates into fun sessions for the players. As a coach, you must plan each session well in advance. For example, make them start with warm-up drills that prepare them for the sessions. After that, get to the advanced exercises such as dribbling, passing, trapping etc.
As an addition, motivate the players to think out of the box. Motivate the kids to attempt new things and when they make mistakes, which is natural, do not disrupt them. Discuss with them after the practice session is over. It is essential to take the parents into confidence if you wish to make the game enjoyable for the players.
To coach youth soccer, it is critical because the kids stay at home more than they are on the field. Ask the parents to inspire the kids, keep a track of their diet, and be regular in their training sessions.
Condition yourself to the age level: Teaching soccer to the young players is generally between the age of 7 and 14. At this stage, it is difficult to come up with drills that engage their attention. So, research a lot over what games you would like them to play. And, ensure that you keep the age level of the players in mind while communicating with them and remain very casual in your conversation.
It is always a great trick to divide them into teams and also give them individual names. This breeds the feeling of mutual respect. It is advised not to conduct a lot of trials too. A good session is one that has a mix of new and old time-tested techniques.
Pen down the drills: It makes sense to pen down the exercises and also the objectives related to them. It helps in developing a strategy for the team. A written document is always useful in determining the objectives of the team. If something needs a change, written plan will assist you in assessing it.
Also, with everything documented, it is easy to track your goals. It is perfectly usual for a few things to go wrong and in that case, you can always get back to the original plan.
It is safe to say that youth soccer is a dynamic, fun-filled, and yet a responsible job. However, with proper planning and these essential tips handy, you will succeed at it without a doubt.
Test them right way. These tips on coach youth soccer are sure to bring positive results for your team. For more such tips on youth soccer, join our youth soccer coaching community where you will find many resources and like-minded individuals from the soccer community.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
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 training fun in less than 29 days! Download your free pdf guide at: Youth Soccer Training