How to Coach an Advanced Beginner Kids' Soccer Practice

Advanced practices change very little from those of other levels. More emphasis is put on teamwork, but the basic skills of dribbling, passing, receiving, and control are still revisited on a regular basis.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Orange Cones
• Soccer Apparel
• Soccer Cleats
• Soccer Shin Guards
• Soccer Uniforms
• Soccer Videos
• soccer balls

1. Have a consistent format for every practice.

2. Work out a lesson plan and decide on your objective before every practice session.

3. Get to know your players by evaluating them in the season's early practices.

4. Set your standards of discipline, and communicate them clearly to both players and parents.

5. Make sure your ultimate goal is always to have fun.

6. Get to the practice early to prepare, including setting up cones for drills and games.

7. Use role models as children get a little older. If you are close to a college or a Major League Soccer team, try to organize a team visit to a game. Let the players identify with their "favorite player."

8. Divide practices into the following: a gathering activity, warm-up, technical skills (e.g., passing and receiving, ball control), concluding game, and "doggy bag" (assigned homework).

9. Set up some cones for a few three-on-three or four-on-four games for a gathering activity, so that players can begin as soon as they arrive at practice.

10. Focus on dribbling for ball handling and the Keepy-Up drill for control at this level. (See Related eHows.)

11. Coach passing, receiving and shooting as technical skills.

12. Stress "heads-up soccer," which includes bringing the foot and the head up when receiving a pass.

13. Focus on straight shots during the first shooting session.

14. Play a concluding game. Divide your team in half and just let them play. You can use this game to work on one of the aspects of the practice, such as passing.

15. Assign a "doggy bag" (homework) of practicing turns and spins. This will help players become more skillful when moving the ball.

Tips & Warnings

• Take something from a game that everyone noticed - heading or shooting perhaps - and bring it into the next practice.
• Use a story or image to illustrate soccer instructions. For example, when teaching turns, tell players they are trying to be "pickpockets" and at the same time avoid having their own pockets picked.
• Emphasize to your team that professional players work on their control, dribbling and other skills every day.
• Soccer is a physically challenging sport that could result in serious injury. We recommend that you seek the proper equipment and training before undertaking this activity.

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