One day my young son’s soccer coach either retired or just gave up ( I can’t remember which) and the club approached the parents for a volunteer to run the team. For some reason, I put my hand up and – hey presto! – I was a youth soccer coach!
in Fun soccer games, Soccer drills and skills
If you use this session your players will improve their ability to switch play, to play with their heads up and it will speed up their decision making. MORE
in Fun soccer games, Soccer drills and skills
Use this fast-paced game to improve dribbling skills, ball control and shooting. MORE
in Fun soccer games, Other, Soccer drills and skills
Age group: U7 – U14 Set up: Create a 20 x 30 playing area. This might seem like a big area for just four players but the big space will create more breakaway situations and will encourage players to run into spaces during matches. Place a small goal on each end line. Split your... MORE
in Fun soccer games, Soccer drills and skills
I Need a Doctor! is a fun game for six to eight-year-olds. It improves their co-ordination, dribbling skills and ability to make decisions. MORE
in Soccer dribbling drills, Soccer drills and skills
This is an easy-to-play tag game that encourages youngsters to dribble the ball and turn away from defenders. It can be used a warm-up or as part of a session on dribbling or just for fun! MORE
in Attacking, Other, Soccer drills and skills
A fun game that helps players to improve their speed of play, passing skills and ability to take goalscoring opportunities. MORE
in Passing, Soccer drills and skills
Pass! is a great way to improve passing and receiving skills as well as the ability to spot and execute a through-pass. MORE
in Shooting, Soccer drills and skills
Encourage fast, accurate passing and reward players who get their heads up and spot scoring opportunities. MORE
in Passing, Soccer drills and skills
A great drill for coaching short passing skills, keeping possession, defending and intercepting passes. MORE
in Goalkeeping, Soccer drills and skills
Get young goalkeepers to understand that positioning is key to shot-stopping. MORE
in Ball Control and Footwork, Soccer drills and skills
This simple little game is excellent for improving the co-ordination and balance of very young players. It also helps them get used to finding space and changing direction. MORE
in Passing, Soccer drills and skills
Improve dribbling and passing skills by gathering balls from the middle and then nicking more from the other teams. MORE
in Passing, Soccer drills and skills
Practise producing the perfect defence-splitting through ball with this variation on Piggy in the Middle. MORE
in Shooting, Soccer drills and skills
Get your players running to the ball and taking lots of shots in this fast-moving but simple drill. MORE
in Passing, Soccer drills and skills
For the youngest players, the concept of passing to keep possession is tricky to grasp. This drill gives extra support to the team in possession to help players understand what's required. MORE
in Psychology, Tips and advice
Young soccer players all want to play as well as they can, win matches and generally enjoy the 'beautiful game'. But that natural enthusiasm can be quickly knocked out of them if their coaches and parents don't understand and apply the basic principles of player motivation. MORE
in Goalkeeping, Tips and advice
It’s not always easy to include the goalkeeper in your team tactics but if you follow these four steps you can create a goalkeeper to enhance your team MORE
in Team Management, Tips and advice
Footy4Kids guru Steve Watson has created 10 tips for match day etiquette - tips that will help you to look like a 'proper' coach instead of a dodgy character in a tracksuit who can't stop shouting nonsense at other people's children. MORE
in Ball Control and Footwork, Small Sided Games
Here’s a great game that improves ball control, as well as practising communication, shielding the ball and supporting play. Players need to be alert and listen out for their number to be called by the coach – will they remember it! How to play it Create two 20×10-yard boxes with a two-yard space in between. Split your players... MORE
in Small Sided Games, Soccer dribbling drills
This game is named after the late George Best – one of the most skilful players ever to grace the game. It is designed to encourage a quick passing style of play plus the freedom to dribble and run at defenders when in the final third. Age group: U8 – U14 Set up: create a... MORE
in Ball Control and Footwork, Small Sided Games
Every player has to touch the ball before the team can shoot in this first touch skills game MORE
in Small Sided Games, Soccer dribbling drills
Improve the dribbling abilities of the youngest players in this fun “Monster Tag” game. Objective: to improve co-ordination, dribbling skills Age group: 4-6 Set up: create a playing area big enough for all your players to run around in. How to play: All the players are inside the grid and all but three have a... MORE
in Goalkeeping, Soccer drills and skills
Young goalkeepers need all the help they can get! Being a ‘keeper is a thankless task at the best of times but if a nine or ten year old lets a shot slip though their hands and into the net they are going to feel terrible. So make sure your goalkeepers know all about the... MORE
Objective: A small-sided game to encourage quick throw ins and movement off the ball. Age range: U7 upwards Set up: Create a 30×40 playing area with goals at both ends. Using flat cones, mark out two 5×5 yard boxes on each side line. The boxes should be placed about ten yards from each goal. Divide... MORE
