Even though I’m not very sure about how you work, I’d still like to discuss some simple yet effective teaching techniques in coaching soccer drills before you start your practice sessions. In your soccer practice, identify one goal that is common to both the team and the coach for example; to have a lot of fun while playing the game.
At this time, it’s essential to follow your goal and not feel distracted by other things. I therefore recommend that you decide on more specific objectives for yourself and your soccer team. For instance; constantly remind the players to remain physically fit, develop them into sporting players with a positive attitude towards the game, and concentrating on skills unique to them.
It is your duty to set reasonably high standards for players in relation to sportsmanship. Cheer them to have an attitude of fair play, sportsmanship, and team spirit. When teaching soccer, you have the option to include any number of relevant objectives along with the ones stated above.
One more concept that needs to be highlighted in youth soccer coaching is the notion of winning the match. When you coach your kids, you must instill an open concept of winning in their minds. Teach them that as long as their performance is out of ordinary on the field, they are winners, no matter what the final result.
The players as a result will feel totally relaxed but much more responsible to play the game sensibly with the team’s objectives in their mind.
It’s important that your instructions during coaching soccer drills are to the point and exact for players to fetch expected results. Before you start coaching your team, educate your players on some specific do’s and don’ts in the game of soccer. The dissimilarity between coaching and teaching lies in the fact that coaching is concerned with a group of players who are already familiar with the game to a certain extent.
While coaching drills, it is preferable to first demonstrate the drill to the kids and then give them a free hand in executing it themselves. It is due to the fact that kids grasp visualizations more effectively than simple instructions. If you attempt to explain an action in words, they won’t understand it. Rather they are pretty good at imitation.
Hence, make it an imperative exercise to give a demonstration at every possible opportunity.
Finally, but still very important is your ability to keep the kids engaged in important activities. This becomes even more important when the weather is windy, wet, or cold. It’s a fact that all kids love to play in the rain. Hence, instead of simply cancelling the session, it makes more sense to have them play soccer games or something like that.
Just make sure that in a situation like this, your kids have an extra layer of clothing and proper footwear.
Now, it is time to add these tips to your training program and make the most of them. The results will make you happy.
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Andre Botelho is a recognized expert in youth soccer coaching. He influences well over 35,000 youth coaches each year with his unique coaching philosophy, and makes it really easy to explode your players’ skills and make training more fun in record time. To download your free youth soccer coaching guide visit: Coaching soccer drills.
Tags: coaching drills, coaching soccer drills, Soccer practice, teaching soccer