How to Coach Soccer to Toddlers

When coaching toddlers, focus on kids having fun.

Coaching soccer to kids aged between 1 and 3 is a rewarding but occasionally frustrating thing to do. At this age, your training session does not need to focus on technique, but simply center around creating a fun and nonintimidating place for kids to grasp the very fundamental elements of the game. Furthermore, you can utilize your coaching sessions to educate parents on the correct pitch-side etiquette and behavior.

Things You'll Need

• Whistle
• Cones
• Mini soccer goals
• Size two football
• Folder or binder
• Toddler-sized fluorescent bibs

Instructions

1. Meet and greet with the parents of the toddlers that will be participating in your training session. Take the contact details of each parent as well as any health information, such as the toddler's allergies, and keep the information stored in a folder or binder. Encourage the toddlers' parents to meet each other to develop a cohesive and pleasant atmosphere around soccer training. Inform parents that they must work to encourage all of the toddlers and that they must lead by example and so not misbehave, swear or show dissent on the touchline.

2. Organize your toddlers into a circle and stand in the center. Lead your toddlers through a quick warm-up session. Athough youngsters do not necessarily need to warm up, it reinforces a part of their training and exercise that will become increasingly important as they grow older.

3. Inform your toddlers that they must respond when you blow your whistle. Use the whistle to start and stop activities as this allows children to familiarize themselves with the protocol of a referee blowing her whistle, which will become increasingly important as they grow older.

4. Arrange your toddlers into a circle with a soccer ball in the center. Instruct them to kick it around, passing the ball to one another and, as they kick the ball, shouting out their name. This serves as a critical function: introducing all of your toddlers to one another so they reach first name terms.

5. Progress your training session by setting up two miniature goals opposite each other no more than 30 yards apart. Tailor the size of your soccer pitch depending upon how many young soccer players you have in your training session. Divide your toddlers into two teams; get one team to put on bibs and get them to play a short soccer match, focusing on passing between their own teammates and shooting on goal. This exercise helps the toddlers work out how a soccer match flows and the main aim of the game; scoring goals in the opponent's net.

6. Conclude your toddler training session by getting each kid to get one soccer ball, which will almost certainly be strewn all over the place, and returning it to one main area. Encourage kids to run as fast as possible and dribble their balls back to you like a race. Arrange the youngsters back into a circle and go through a swift cool down if you have time.

7. Return toddlers to their parents and discuss any pertinent information with parents at this time. For example, your toddler team may have a match at the weekend for which the parents will need specific details.

Tips & Warnings

• Remain upbeat and positive throughout the session, congratulating and encouraging toddlers when they successfully kick the ball or score a goal.

• Do not criticize your toddlers if they make any mistakes or are not using the correct technique as this is not important until a later stage in their development.

References

• Keelby United: Coaching Soccer to Young Children; January 2011
• Footy 4 Kids: Effective Youth Soccer Coaching

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish