February 10th, 2010 3:23 am
Let this be known! 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. While teaching soccer, the biggest problem is to keep coming up with new ideas so that the kids are always interested in the game.
What follow are some drills that you can teach youth soccer players. These drills help the kids focus on the game, get good at soccer, and enjoy it to the core.
Teach the boys dribbling and shooting: This is a straight-forward drill that all the players can take part in at the same time. Ask the players to queue on a single goal line. Now, scatter a lot of balls all over the 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. As the players do not have any resistance, they move forward without any inhibitions and this brings out their unique style.
Understanding to pass the ball: Instruct the players to make a line at a distant corner 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 for you, they also have to capture the ball from the other player who has the possession of the ball. When you yell stop, the player in possession of the ball must pass it instantly to one of his mates.
To coach youth soccer, these drills are the best tools to teach the kids passing and dribbling. In this way, the art of gabbing the ball from other players is also learnt by them.
Touch and Go: This is a very enjoyable game which the kids love. It requires the kids to stand in two rows under 40 meters away from the position of the goal. Also, the goalie should defend the goalpost. You should stand someplace between the two rows.
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. The goalkeeper must then return the ball and the practice continues.
If you have more than one goalkeeper in the team, keep them alternating between different sessions. This game involves team effort and also improves the shooting skills. The goalkeeper becomes skilled at protecting the ball from converting to a goal.
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. The players should then to told to proceed as per their part and try to get a point every time by leading another player.
These are the easiest ways to coach youth soccer. Make your kids practice them and you will help them learn and have fun at the same time. If you’re interested in knowing more about such tips, be a part of our youth soccer coaching community.
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 training fun in record time. Download your free ebook at: Youth Soccer Drills
Tags: Coach youth soccer, soccer coaches, soccer coaching, teach youth soccer, teaching soccer