Let’s face it! When you coach youth soccer, it becomes a challenge to come up with challenging and interesting drills for the kids. The biggest challenge in teaching soccer is being creative enough to come up with great ideas so that the interest of the kids is sustained in the game.
Following are some drills 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. Have the kid’s line up on the 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 shoot the ball as soon as they can.
This drill helps them build stamina, confidence, and also improves their dribbling skills. Since the kids do not have any opposition while they dribble, it also brings out their individual style.
How to pass the ball: Ask the kids to stand in a line at a far-away 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 say stop, the player who has the ball must pass it to another player.
When you coach youth soccer, these games make the kids showcase their best skills in passing and dribbling. At the same time, they learn the skill of clinching the ball from others which is also vital.
Touch and Go: A game full of fun that kids just love to play it. It requires the kids to stand in two rows under 40 meters away from the position of the goal. Besides, the goalpost should be defended by the goalie. Place yourself somewhere between the two queues.
The ball should then be passed on to any one row to subsequently pass or shoot the ball with just one contact. The intention should be to switch the ball into goal. Now the goalie should return the ball and continue with the practice.
If you have more than one goalkeeper in the team, keep them alternating between different sessions. This sport enables players to perk up their shooting skills through team effort. 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. Engage two players, one protecting the ball and the other attacking it. Guide them to play their respective roles and win points every time any player wins over the other.
These happen to be the simplest methods to coach youth soccer. Make your kids practice them and you will help them learn and have fun at the same time. If you would like more such tips and know about drills, join our youth soccer coaching community.
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.
