Coach Youth Soccer : Killer Tips On Training Drills


Let’s face it. When it comes to coach youth soccer, every coach runs short of ideas on how to make practice drills interesting and enjoyable for the kids. The biggest challenge in teaching soccer is being creative enough to come up with great ideas so that the interest of the kids is sustained in the game.

Following are some drills that you can teach youth soccer players. These help them not just focus on the game, become proficient in soccer, but also enjoy the game.

Get the kids going with dribbling and shooting: This is a simple drill that involves all the players at the same time. Have the kids line up on the single goal line. Now, scatter a lot of balls all over the field. Then, ask the kids to go after the balls  and move as if they are attacking the opponent goal post. They must also shoot the ball when they get a chance.

This drill helps them build stamina, confidence, and also improves their dribbling skills. Since the kids do not have any opposition while they dribble, it also brings out their individual style.

Passing the Ball: In this game, make the kids stand in a queue at a distant corner of the field. Count till 3 and as soon as you finish, instruct them to run towards you as fast as they can. While they are running towards you, they also need to steal the ball from the other player who is kicking the ball. When you say Stop, the player who was kicking the ball must pass to one of the teammates.

When you coach youth soccer, these drills bring out the best in kids when it comes to passing and dribbling. They also learn the art of stealing the ball from other players which is very important.

Touch and Go: This is a very enjoyable game which the kids love. Make the young players stand in two queues not more than 40 feet from the goal post. Also, the goalie should defend the goalpost. Place yourself somewhere between the two queues.

Now pass the ball to one of the queues and instruct them to shoot or pass the ball using only one touch. The objective should be to attack the goal. The goalkeeper must then return the ball and the practice continues.

If you have more than one goalkeeper in the team, keep them alternating between different sessions. This game involves team effort and also improves the shooting skills. Also, the goalkeepers learn to save the ball from hitting the goal post.

Retaining the possession of the ball: This drill helps the players learn to move forward with the ball saving it from opponents. Take two players, one acts as the defender and the other attacker.  Instruct them to start moving the ball as per their roles and when a player dominates the other, reward him with a point.

These are the easiest ways to coach youth soccer. Make your kids practice them and you will help them learn and have fun at the same time. If you would like more such tips and know about drills, join our youth soccer coaching community.

Andre Botelho is known online as “The Expert Youth Soccer Coach” and his free Coach youth soccer ebooks and reports have been downloaded more than 100,000 times. Learn how to skyrocket your players’ skills and make practice sessions fun in record time. Download your free Coaching Youth Soccer ebook at: Soccer Coaching Drills.

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