Soccer is immensely popular with children in the United States. It is usually the first sport that parents immerse their children in, as it has low physical impact, is inexpensive and little equipment is necessary. For those thinking of coaching kids, it would be helpful to have a few pointers before kickoff. Here are a few suggestions to help potential coaches get started.
Keeping It Fun
Many parents and coaches want their children to excel, and sometimes lose sight of this simple yet vital point: Keep it fun. Even if you have plans to send your child to the Manchester United Youth Program for five year olds, you should still nurture a sense of love for the game. If the kids are having fun, then they will likely want to learn more. This one idea should permeate every practice plan you set up. This is especially true for beginners.
Preparation
Never show up without a plan. Not only should there be a list with actual exercises and drills to be performed that day, but there should be an overall arc for the practice as well. It is a very good idea to set up a group of practices to cover a certain skill set. For example, over the next four practices perhaps the goal is proper trapping technique. Practice one might focus on trapping with the bottom of the foot. Two with the inside. Three might be a thigh trap followed by a step on the ball. Four a trap with the outside of the foot. Other drills throughout the practice should incorporate the current skills being learned in some form. For example, a drill where a certain type of trap must be made before shooting towards the goal.
Warm Up
Incorporate the ball into everything you do during the warm-up. This is especially important for beginners. The more touches beginners make on the ball, the quicker they will become comfortable and able to progress. If stretching is a part of the warm-up, have the children do so with the ball. If a jog is part of the warm-up, have the kids do so while dribbling the ball. Also, the warm-up should not be a time for full shooting. Give kids' bodies and minds a chance to adjust to what they are doing.
Individual Skills
Every child should have a ball at this point in the practice. This is especially important for the under-5 kids, as sharing is not completely a part of their vocabulary just yet. Coaches should specifically plan exercises here that work on the kids' individual motor and communication skills. Balance, coordination, agility, and listening skills can all play a part in your practice. Be a source of encouragement. Instead of telling a child they missed the trap, say that they are close and should keep going.
Group Exercises
Group exercises should focus not only on game situations and scrimmages, but also on the nature of team work. The very young ones may have a difficult time with sharing and not scoring, so it is a very good idea to introduce this concept over time. Start by doing scrimmages against the coaches, where every child has a ball (and scores too). Exercises where the goal cannot be accomplished without help from a partner are good introductions to group play.
Discipline
If a child does not want to play, do not make him play. If a child is forced to play you risk alienating him from the game for good. Instead, have an assistant coach walk over and talk to the child after he has had a minute to himself. The assistant can gently suggest the child return to play and if the child still says no, let him be. Avoid publicly reprimanding any child. The key is to find a balance between gently wielding authority and guiding children through a well planned, fun practice.
