I wonder what is it about soccer coaching drills that makes kids so keen on it. Kids regard these drills as a prospect to have fun and enjoyment instead of only a game. So it becomes a sort of challenge for a coach to make youth soccer drills so interesting that kids just cannot wait to get to the field.
This can be achieved in a variety of ways. Offer them to participate in fun activities that direct their energy in building up a feeling of competition amongst them. Please recognize the fact that soccer’s a team-game. So it is imperative to incorporate sports which persuade kids to play as a team.
Of the finest soccer coaching strategies, training kids in an engaging soccer game is one. This not only guides players to remain focused on the game but also utilize their energy positively.
Guide the kids to first warm up their bodies by going for a small round of jogging or running. It’s important that they do too much of it. There is a great possibility of kids doing it too much because they are super excited and may go overboard. Guide them to take small breaks. Kids will therefore stay fresh and ready to go anytime. Take the time to engage with them by talking about the following work outs.
Subsequently, engage them in group or individual activities. For instance, let the player who arrives first to juggle the ball. He is joined by players who then arrive in a specific order. In this manner, the entire group gets involved in the activity. If the number of players increases in a group, it is best to make subgroups for the soccer coaching drills.
There are other nice activities as well such as soccer golf where the players aim the soccer ball at a distant object. There is another activity called the soccer volleyball in which the kids play in a small area and the idea is not to let the ball touch the ground. These soccer coaching exercises add interest and enjoyment to the practice sessions.
Also, have the players involve the various body parts excluding hands in addition to dribbling the ball. Do not be aggressive. Bear in mind that the players are young and need time to grasp the concepts. As the ball approaches the player, shout the name of the body part that you want the player to use in trapping it. Then the player must use that body part. This helps them concentrate on it.
Circuit training is another interesting drill. It suits best the situations where the number of players in high. Divide the players into small groups and give them several tasks. The players should engage in these activities endlessly with small intervals.
Start testing them immediately. If you are innovative, you can create new fun-filled and exciting activities every day.
Now that you have learnt these soccer coaching drills, transfer these to the kids so that they can make the best use of them on the field. You can use the tons of resources available on our youth soccer coaching community forums by subscribing to it.
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: http://www.soccerdrillstips.com – Youth Soccer Practice Drills.