Coaching soccer presents many challenges at every age level. The coach is the mastermind who orchestrates the direction of the players. If both practices and matches are well thought out, players begin to trust each other and work more cohesively as a unit. Here are a few suggestions for both practice and games that will help prospective coaches along.
Twenty-Minute Warm Up
Juggling is an excellent way to warm your team up while developing individual ball control without punishing the body by starting too strenuously. Have players begin juggling on their own with no rules for five minutes. Next, ask players to juggle while walking for two minutes. Then, have players juggle for two minutes without using the same part of their body twice. After that, move on to speed juggling; have players put as many touches on the ball as they can in two minutes. Then, for two minutes, have players juggle using their non-shooting foot as much as possible. Next, form a circle with cones, 15 yards across, and have players juggle through the space moving faster than a walk without touching. When players touch, they are out. Make the circle smaller as players exit. Players who are out juggle walking around the circle. Finally, line all players up on the goal line with the ball and have them move as quickly as possible across the field juggling without dropping the ball--preferably on the run.
Teaching Players To Think
One of the jobs of a coach is to teach players how to think. Specifically, how to deal with stronger opposition one-on-one. These situations are often about out-thinking your opponent. First, coaches need to help players understand that they need to be thinking about how to play their direct opponent from the moment they know who that person is. Size them up. They might be taller, stronger, bigger, faster. Explain that players should have a strategy before they step on the field. For example, a player may have to determine how to deal with a more physical player who is making crunching tackles. Options may include releasing the ball quicker, giving crunching tackles back to earn respect from the opponent, or rolling on the ground a bit afterward, so the ref's attention is drawn to the opposition. If the ref gives a warning, the opposition may back off and gives the tackled player more room to move on the field. Teach players to think through the game first; the rest is just practice and repetition.
The Game Day Difference
Once the game starts, let your players play. Coaches can often see what's happening on the field more clearly than players. But to continually direct your players at every step will likely hurt them by stifling their creativity. If you must give direction, aim to do so one on one. Even during practice, coaches should give their players room to figure out problems on their own. Coaches should set up an exercise and then sit back and take note. If a player is having continued problems, then a coach can step in and offer suggestions.
