How to Coach an Advanced Kids' Soccer Practice

Advanced practices change little from those at lower 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: Easy

Instructions

1. Review your last practices before moving on to new skills.

2. 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).

3. Set up relay races for a warm-up. These stress teamwork and cooperation.

4. Teach individual moves such as turns. An example would be a step-over, which helps players change direction and deceive their opponents.

5. Use one-on-one soccer - short, intense games between two players. These games employ all soccer skills.

6. Have players use different parts of the foot when passing and receiving.

7. Have players play Keepy Up (see Related eHow, "Coach a Ball Control Drill in Kids' Soccer") in pairs, juggling the ball back and forth between them.

8. Introduce thigh, chest, and head into the Keepy-Up drill - practice for ball control.

Tips & Warnings

• Get to know your players by evaluating them in the season's early practices.
• Work out a system to ensure that players of like ability are grouped to make practice work best. In scrimmages, the sides should be balanced based on player ability.
• Emphasize that professional players work on their control, dribbling and other basic skills every day.
• Soccer is a physically demanding 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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on 11/22/2005 Know what weaknesses each of your players have. Some players might have a lot of speed, but have no skill, so there is no point in making them do sprinting exercises. Some kids might have a lot of skill and no speed, so you must work on their speed. Have different activities for different players and you will feel an improvement in no time.

on 11/22/2005 Bounce the ball on your thigh, keeping your hands on the ball. Make sure to use both legs. As soon as you feel comfortable, start bouncing the ball without hands.