Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who's Better, Who's Best in Football -- The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times. Silverman holds a Master of Science in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism.
Overview
Coaching a youth soccer team is a great opportunity to get involved in your community and teach young people. If this activity appeals to you, sign up with your local park district or youth sports organization. If your services can be used, you will have to be trained on the finer points of teaching the game. From there, you're in for coaching adventures.
Step 1
Introduce yourself and the other coaches to the team on the first day of practice. Have your players introduce themselves and give one fun fact. The fun fact could be a favorite soccer player or a favorite food. You want to create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere where fun is the name of the game. Begin your practice with some passing drills. This will emphasize the aspect of team play.
Step 2
Teach the kids on your team the proper way to dribble the soccer ball. Set up a series of four cones. Have each player use his dominant foot to go around the cones as he goes upfield and his other foot as he goes back down the field. The first trip should be a much easier one, but the second trip will help him learn to use both feet when he is in the field of play.
Step 3
Teach your players how to work a simple attacking play. Have a group of three players start off at midfield and work the ball downfield until they are inside the penalty area. Each player should get a turn to dribble and pass on the journey downfield, and the last pass should result in a shooting opportunity for one of the wing players. This will help them get used to passing the ball successfully with the idea of getting a hard shot on goal.
Step 4
Actively coach your players during games. In many communities, coaches and assistants are allowed to be on the field with the young players so they can teach and correct mistakes. When you do this, make it a point to avoid embarrassing a young player who has made a mistake. If you are coaching from the sidelines, give your instructions in a loud and confident voice. Applaud good plays and correct mistakes as quickly as possible.
Step 5
Videotape all practices and games. It is important for you to see how your young players are performing, and you may find several illuminating videotape clips to show individuals or the team as a whole. If you have built a team with good camaraderie, you can point out a mistake by a player without risking hurt feelings or embarrassment. However, if you sense a player will not take criticism the right way, you can show him his mistake in private in order to avoid ill will.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : Keep things light and loose while practicing the skills that can help make a player effective on the soccer field. More than anything, you want your young players to enjoy their experiences on the field.
