I don’t know a thing about you, but I’ll bet that it is necessary that you look at some common teaching suggestions before starting out with the coaching soccer drills. During soccer practice, focus on a specific objective like kids must have loads of fun in the game as it benefits both the coach and the players.
At this point, it’s important to stay alert or else you’ll get distracted by other things. Consequently, identify such objectives that are particularly important for you as a coach and also equally important for the team. Some examples are; focus on player’s individual soccer skills, promote the importance of their physical fitness, and help them grow into mature, professional, and sporting soccer players.
Since you are the coach, you only are responsible for setting high standards of sportsmanship for players. Cheer them to have an attitude of fair play, sportsmanship, and team spirit. In addition to the above goals, you are free to set as many goals as your feel necessary while teaching soccer to your team.
One more concept that needs to be highlighted in youth soccer coaching is the notion of winning the match. Infuse an open concept of winning in your player’s minds when you are coaching them. Make them understand that so long as their play is up to the mark, they are the winners, irrespective of the final outcome.
It has the effect of encouraging the players to give it their best shot and play the game without unnecessary pressure to win anyways.
It’s important that your instructions during coaching soccer drills are to the point and exact for players to fetch expected results. It’s imperative that your kids are aware of the dos and don’ts that are critical to the game of soccer before you go any further with their training. The difference in coaching and teaching is that the former is done with a group of players who are already familiar with the basic skills and concepts of the game.
While coaching drills, it is preferable to first demonstrate the drill to the kids and then give them a free hand in executing it themselves. It is effective because young players are more receptive to seeing than listening. If you decide to give them plain instructions, they will not appreciate it very much. However, they are good at replicating things.
Therefore, consider giving demonstrations wherever you can.
Finally, but still very important is your ability to keep the kids engaged in important activities. This is all the more important when it rains or the weather is extremely cold. You must understand that kids are just thrilled at the prospect of playing in the rain. So, rather than just telling them to go home, it is more beneficial to find ways so that they can still enjoy soccer in some form.
Just keep in mind that the kids should be wearing additional protective gear in such weather.
Now get out there and start incorporating these teaching suggestions into your practice sessions. You’ll be amazed to see the results.
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Andre Botelho is a recognized expert in youth soccer coaching. He influences well over 35,000 youth coaches each year with his unique coaching philosophy, and makes it really easy to explode your players’ skills and make training more fun in record time. To download your free youth soccer coaching guide visit: Coaching soccer drills.
Tags: coaching drills, coaching soccer drills, Soccer practice, teaching soccer