| The following are some pointers which those who | | | | skills and techniques that you have taught them. By |
| are interesting in soccer coaching should take into | | | | using small sided games in soccer coaching, you are |
| account, in order to create effective football | | | | allowing the players to have more contact with the |
| coaching sessions for kids. | | | | ball which makes the sport more fun for the players. |
| Planning and preparation | | | | Make notes |
| Soccer coaching is all about careful planning and | | | | One useful tip is to keep a notepad with you and |
| preparation, so make sure that you know exactly | | | | make notes on your soccer coaching session. Note |
| what you're doing and plan accordingly. Arrive early | | | | down which ideas work and which don't. This way, |
| and have all of your cones and other coaching | | | | you can improve and develop your coaching and |
| equipment ready for two or three different activities. | | | | soccer drills as you go along. |
| This will make sure that you can focus your attention | | | | Keep it fun! |
| fully on the football coaching session once the | | | | Perhaps the most important point about soccer |
| children arrive, and that the kids don't get bored | | | | coaching for kids is to keep it fun. Drills have their |
| whilst waiting for you to set up. | | | | place in soccer coaching, but try to make sure that |
| Pick a theme/skill for your session. | | | | your coaching session includes plenty of fun activities |
| Pick one skill or theme for your practice, such as | | | | as well to make sure that you engage the kids and |
| passing and shooting. Start with the basics and | | | | keep their attention. |
| develop these, week on week, to develop the kids | | | | Don't take it too seriously! |
| as complete soccer players. | | | | For kids, soccer should be a fun activity, so don't |
| Start with the fundamentals of the game and slowly | | | | punish mistakes. Instead, gently point out mistakes |
| increase the level of difficulty as you go. Try to vary | | | | and suggest areas for improvement. From an early |
| the skills to avoid boredom, for example, work on | | | | age, soccer coaching should look to develop the |
| shooting one week and heading the next. Eventually, | | | | player as a whole and encourage sportsmanship and |
| you should look to apply these skills to a match | | | | fair play. |
| situation. | | | | It might sound like a cliche, but the old adage that |
| Use mini games | | | | 'It's not the winning, it's the taking part that counts,' |
| Organizing mini games such as 5-a-side are a great | | | | really is a worthwhile mantra when taking kids' soccer |
| way to allow your players to put into practice the | | | | coaching sessions. |