You've probably heard it a hundred times that practice makes a man perfect. And it’s true when it comes to soccer practice sessions. The kids look forward to getting to the field each day with an intention to learn something new. Still, it’s necessary for the kids in soccer training to continue practicing the old techniques taught by you on a daily basis.
Here’s your test to ensure that kids are not bogged down by the sameness of the drills that they are made to do on a daily basis. To aid you in carrying out practice sessions in a way that’s motivating, regular, and closely controlled; following are some tips.
1. This has already been highlighted as very important. Since kids follow their coach, you must act as their mentor. Be present on the filed before the kids; demonstrate your skill with the ball, let all the kids participate, and arrange sessions ahead of time. This way you can get the player’s attention, their respect and trust.
2. Tell the kids to come to the field daily with a ball of their own. It’s obligatory for the kids to have a soccer ball each. You should be having some extra balls in case some kids forget theirs.
3. Some soccer moves must be practiced everyday without fail. Kicking, dribbling, passing, and throw-ins are vital elements of soccer practice. It’s imperative for the kids to practice these daily without fail. Make sure each one of the kids participate in this even if some of them shy away in the beginning.
4. When compared with soccer drills, include games more in practice sessions. This is mainly because comparatively more resilience and skill is required in games than drills. Also, with games, you can experiment and innovate while keeping the focus on soccer.
5. Control is crucial for success for any team. With young players, it is no big deal to have mistakes. It is necessary that you deal with all issues of indiscipline as soon as they arise. But keep in mind the method you adopt to do so since kids are sensitive and get hurt easily.
6. While the session is on, you will note that some players do not run with the ball while others do. Make certain that this does not take place. All the young players should involve themselves in the game. Talk to the players about their respective positions and teach them to be responsible in those positions.
7. Do not allow a lot of scrimmage. About 15 to 20 minutes at the end of the session is good enough. Also, do not appoint a goalie when scrimmaging. This will ensure that kids become good at defense.
8. Keep your eyes open for new ways to conduct trainings. There is no better way to keep the kids engaged in training.
Now, go ahead and make these tips work for you in the soccer practice sessions. These tips are sure to help the kids improve their skills in a short time. There is a mass of such youth soccer resources in our youth soccer coaching community. Register today and see your team’s performances get better with every training session.
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: Youth Soccer Drills.