By : Andre Botelho
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.
Employ the players to do dribbling and shooting: This is an easy drill that helps all the players practice at the same time. Have the kid's line up on the single goal line. Now distribute the balls all over the soccer field. Then, ask the kids to go after the balls and move as if they are attacking the opponent goal post. They should also hit the ball as soon as they get a chance.
This workout helps the kids build their stamina, confidence and also improves their dribbling skills. As the players do not have any resistance, they move forward without any inhibitions and this brings out their unique style.
How to pass the ball: Ask the kids to stand in a line at a far-away corner of the field. Tell them to run towards you as fast as possible as soon as you have finished counting till 3. While they are running towards you, they also need to steal the ball from the other player who is kicking the ball. When you yell stop, the player in possession of the ball must pass it instantly to one of his mates.
When you coach youth soccer, these games make the kids showcase their best skills in passing and dribbling. In this way, the art of gabbing the ball from other players is also learnt by them.
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. Also, the goalie should defend the goalpost. You should stand someplace between the two rows.
Pass the ball to either of the queue and with only one tap teach them to shoot or pass the ball to another. The idea is to translate the ball into a goal. Now the goalie should return the ball and continue with the practice.
In case of two or more than two goalies in team, they should be rotated between practice sessions. This game involves team effort and also improves the shooting skills. The game also provides the opportunity to learn the skill of saving the ball from getting to goalpost.
Retaining the possession of the ball: This drill helps the players learn to move forward with the ball saving it from opponents. 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 are the easiest ways to coach youth soccer. When you have your kids do these drills, they'll not only learn but enjoy as well. If you would like more such tips and know about drills, join our youth soccer coaching community.
Andre Botelho is known online as "The Expert Youth Soccer Coach" and his Coach youth soccer 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 youth soccer coaching ebook at: Soccer Coaching.