| When it really comes down to it, winning games is | | | | 3. Teach them to look for and exploit openings in the |
| the only way to keep team morale high, and making | | | | opposing defense. Is there a 'hole' that the goal |
| more goals is important to winning those games. How | | | | keeper can't reach in time? If so, the time to move |
| can you make sure your team scores more goals? | | | | is now! Using good technique-head down, eyes, on |
| Many coaches have found huge success by | | | | the ball-the player should kick the ball and hopefully |
| approaching the problem in a twofold manner: | | | | score. If they make the goal, they are that much |
| increasing the number of shots, and increasing the | | | | more likely to try again next time. |
| accuracy of those shots. However, attitude can be | | | | 4. Teach them to shoot in a way that increases their |
| just as important. So what is a coach who wants to | | | | chances of success. This means kicking the ball to |
| hedge his bets to do? | | | | the goal in a way the goalie doesn't expect. Try |
| 1. Deal with any attitude problems. Many soccer | | | | kicking the ball lower or farther to one side, or even |
| players, especially the younger ones, won't try to | | | | directly at the goal keeper. When a ball is low and |
| score even when the opportunity presents. This is | | | | wide, the goal keeper may end up wrong footed, |
| due to a simple attitude problem "they are terrified | | | | giving your team one more score. |
| of missing"! The way to deal with this is to praise | | | | 5. Practice making goals until it is second nature. In |
| every shot, regardless of the outcome. Emphasize | | | | order for this to work, the goal should be the same |
| that trying is what's most important, because no one | | | | size as the goals they will encounter in practice and |
| makes a goal without trying. Also, do not allow other | | | | have a realistic number of defenders as well as a |
| members of the team to complain when a teammate | | | | goalie. When kids get used to approaching this rather |
| misses a shot. Tell them it's better to miss than | | | | intimidating set up and succeeding, they will be able |
| never have tried, and institute a policy of telling | | | | to do the same in actual game play. |
| players "Nice try!" after any attempt. | | | | By improving attitude, raising the number of shots, |
| 2. Deal with confidence issues. Many players are not | | | | and raising the accuracy of those shots, you should |
| confident in their ability to shoot and make the goal, | | | | quickly find that your number of goals increases by |
| so they avoid it at every cost. This must be nipped | | | | the game. Many coaches find that this type of goal |
| in the bud, and the best to do that is by regular | | | | training has an exponentially positive effect; as more |
| practice. Teach them to handle the ball skillfully and | | | | players attempt and make goals, not only are they |
| accurately, and they'll be more likely to use their skills | | | | more likely to try again, but their teammates may be |
| on the field. | | | | inspired as well! |