Coaching Youth travel soccer, I don't know anything about soccer (1 Viewer)

[belljr]

I get it.

IMO- they're 7yo kids... they're inherently warmed up and ready to go.

at that age ,It's not about making sure the ready to go it's about starting at an early age proper warming up so when they get older they have a routine 

 

[ffldrew]

three girls stay back on defense

three girls play midfield

one girl plays a roaming forward

is that correct?

Two diamonds

the three in the back has the center back about 5 yards - in your midfield the center midfield plays about 5-10 yards in front of the defender/back field - so that is the diamond 1

then have the two wings of the midfield in front of the center midfield by about 5 yards - then center forward in front of them by 5 yards to form the second diamond in offensive area. Teach center to play with back to net and to come and receive pass and make an effective dribbling turn to face net and find a pass to wings - or beat defense. 

Center midfielder is the transiton link up for the front to back and back to front - and your best player

Teach some give and go - pass and move - the easiest pass is back to the person who passed it to you.

Teach the diamonds to forward pass and back pass in games of keep away. teach them to expand and contract. 1. Look at space/players open - 2. Make decisions 3. Receive the ball (trapping) - 4. Possession moves  5. pass it - and start expanding and contracting the diamond. Show that expanding makes opponent chase and makes it easy to pass.

Going to be pretty hard at 8 since its swarm ball generally. 

Teach them to be aware of who is open and where to pass the ball before the ball comes to them - to always be aware of who to link to. Teach them to understand that space is behind a defender and to make a good dribbling move to beat a defender and go into the open space with the ball - while understanding where their next pass is. 

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

For what it's worth, I completely disagree with a lot of the posters in here focused on getting them not to bunch up.  This is a pretty good summary of my feeling on the issue:

They're all bunched up!

“They’re all bunched up!”


 
By Ihor Chyzowych

That’s what I hear at every U-8 youth soccer coaching course I teach. My reply is always the same: “That’s OK!”

Then I get the puzzled looks from nearly every coach or coach-to-be.

The kids know what they’re doing, it’s the parents and the new coaches who are confused.

Adults see the bunch of players as unorganized — not as a team. That’s the first problem. Because, at this point, it’s really not a team.

The players at this age don’t understand what being a “team” means. At their age, they are selfish in their game. Me, my ball, my game. Most kids can’t even remember the name of their team or their coach. They won’t even practice with any one else’s ball! How can you expect them to understand or embrace teamwork or fixed positions?

The ball is their magnet, so let them try to get it. In doing so, they’re actually building good instincts that they’ll use in the game when they are older and “team” actually begins to mean something.

For example, many good coaches struggle to “re-teach” 14 to 17 year olds the working concept of zonal defending and zonal pressure defense. Two concepts that they knew instinctively when they were 5. What happened? It was drilled out of them by a youth coach who kept telling them to spread out.

When they’re 5-plus years old, they already have a natural instinct for this kind of defending. They’re already figured out that five of us versus one of them means that we’ll probably get the ball.

To parents, this is a mess on the field. They want the kids to spread out — so that the one player with any skill can have the space to dribble around every one else like cones. Not a very good defense.

A good coach will definitely have to adjust these players’ instincts as they get older, but surprisingly not much. The game itself makes them smarter as they continue to play more and more.

Another reason why “bunching up” is OK for young players: the kid in the center of that bunch is learning early on how to play in tight spaces and not to be afraid of traffic or contact — invaluable skills that will be second-nature to him by the time he’s older and able to play in fixed positions.

So, as hard as it is for parents to believe, young players learn how to solve problems and be creative while bunched up. These skills actually help them with their game when they’re older and that game is more structured.

As a coach, I’ll want on my older team the youth player who consistently came out of the pack with the ball. He might be my striker because he’s not afraid of crowds in the box, or of being marked by two players. He’s been getting through the traffic and scoring in those situations since he was 5. Playing in “the bunch” has made him tough, technical and smart.

My advice to new youth coaches and to parents is to stop worrying about the kids being bunched up. At U-8, just let them play.

You’re role at this point is to teach them some basic ball touches, point them in the right direction and let them go!

Let the game teach them for now. Let them teach themselves. And most of all, let them enjoy the game. Seems simple? It is. But that’s OK, too. That’s the beauty of soccer.

 

[mr. furley]

Be sure to yell at the referee a lot.

the younger the ref, the more you yell. they intimidate easier. 

 

[El Floppo]

For what it's worth, I completely disagree with a lot of the posters in here focused on getting them not to bunch up.  This is a pretty good summary of my feeling on the issue:

They're all bunched up!

have honestly never thought of it like that- but I like it... to a degree.

the problem with it- there's always the one kid who is the alpha who will get the ball. the rest of the kids are just going to be running around. pretty much the problem with having them even play games at this point... but that's besides the point.

 

[Righetti]

One issue with the bunch mentality is that the girls will literally steal the ball from each other but I do agree that it actually does teach something about playing in tight quarters and not getting intimidated by that   

I spent the last hour+ trying to explain basic positions (defense, midfield, offense) and working on passing.  It was a productive practice but probably the least fun one out of the half dozen we've had.   

Our first game is Sunday, they got their uniforms tonight, that got them pretty excited 

 

[jabarony]

One issue with the bunch mentality is that the girls will literally steal the ball from each other but I do agree that it actually does teach something about playing in tight quarters and not getting intimidated by that   

I spent the last hour+ trying to explain basic positions (defense, midfield, offense) and working on passing.  It was a productive practice but probably the least fun one out of the half dozen we've had.   

Our first game is Sunday, they got their uniforms tonight, that got them pretty excited 

It might be a bit difficult, at first, but the best would be to have them spread out when they have possession (like when your goalie has it, have them spread out).  Then allow them to collapse to the ball, while somewhat holding their general positions, on defense.

 

[SpurrierisisGod]

Just got home from a tournament in Mississippi with my 2006 girls (u11).

Please don't do what they are teaching in Mississippi. Sure it gets them wins now (we lost 5-2 and 8-0) but in a year or 2 we will crush them.  They have that football mentality that defense wins games so that's what they teach.  No skill.  No passing.  Great defense and they kick it to the 2 kids that can shoot.  

Kind of hard to play against when you do it the right way..teach skills, passing, spacing etc. 1st.  Then worry about defense.  At u8 it's all about touching the ball as many times as you can.  Sharks and minnows is good.  Even if you make them run laps make them do it with a ball.  Do not line them up and take shots.  Lines are the devil for 7 year olds.  Find creative ways to get them to touch the ball 1000 (or more) times in an hour.  Wins may not happen today but you'll be way happier 1-2 years done the road when your kids can move with a ball and not just play kickball.

Also, not a bad time to introduce drills at practice that they can take home with them.  Things like toe taps or v's or pull back tap forward type stuff.  Encourage them to work at home.  Not mandatory type stuff but maybe a competition.  "Who can do 50 of x in a minute? Tell me tuesday".

 

[AcerFC]

I have been meaning to say this every time this thread gets bumped. Do not care about winning and losing. No one remembers the score of the third game of the U8 season. Impress upon the girls and parents how the main goal is developing the player this year. It will be harder for you since you soccer knowledge is a little lacking. But you will get it done. 

Do fun stuff also. Last year, I made a video of the girls doing the whip nae nae thing while showing off their moves. Posted it on youtube and everyone loved it. 

 

[BassNBrew]

Just got home from a tournament in Mississippi with my 2006 girls (u11).

Please don't do what they are teaching in Mississippi. Sure it gets them wins now (we lost 5-2 and 8-0) but in a year or 2 we will crush them.  They have that football mentality that defense wins games so that's what they teach.  No skill.  No passing.  Great defense and they kick it to the 2 kids that can shoot.  

Kind of hard to play against when you do it the right way..teach skills, passing, spacing etc. 1st.  Then worry about defense.  At u8 it's all about touching the ball as many times as you can.  Sharks and minnows is good.  Even if you make them run laps make them do it with a ball.  Do not line them up and take shots.  Lines are the devil for 7 year olds.  Find creative ways to get them to touch the ball 1000 (or more) times in an hour.  Wins may not happen today but you'll be way happier 1-2 years done the road when your kids can move with a ball and not just play kickball.

Also, not a bad time to introduce drills at practice that they can take home with them.  Things like toe taps or v's or pull back tap forward type stuff.  Encourage them to work at home.  Not mandatory type stuff but maybe a competition.  "Who can do 50 of x in a minute? Tell me tuesday".

Ummm....Stanford won a national championship and Leicester won the EPL playing this way.

 

[PIK95]

For what it's worth, I completely disagree with a lot of the posters in here focused on getting them not to bunch up.  This is a pretty good summary of my feeling on the issue:

They're all bunched up!

I love this article!  In todays game my 2009 girls were all swarmed up on the ball.  They were beating the crap out of the other team while fighting for the ball.  They all escaped with the ball at one time or another and got some good touches on breakaways.  It looked like roller derby and I was proud.  

Tomorrow morning my 2005 boys will have their hands full against one of the Revolution Academy teams in RI.  OUR Revs guy talked me into going from our successful 2-4-1 to a 3-3 (diamond)-1. Our attack will be more narrow and I have a bad feeling about our defenders getting pressured.  We usually offsides trap non stop, and even send one of our two defenders into the attack often.   I don't see that happening at all with the 3-3-1.  It should be interesting regardless. 

 

[AcerFC]

5-1 loss today. Shake it off. They will get better

 

[SpurrierisisGod]

Ummm....Stanford won a national championship and Leicester won the EPL playing this way.

Quite a different level than u11 (or u8).  At this point it should be about skill development and making sure the kids don't hate going to practice.  There's still time to teach team defense before they hit college age.  

My main point is our skill level and passing were way beyond those other teams (which showed with an 8-3 win today).  At 10 years old, it was already clear who the more skilled team was and who spent the last month working on clearing any threat.  Those teams are focusing on wins now and sacrificing prime development time.

Winning isn't everything, but having to remind parents it's about skill development not wins after 8-0 losses on a regular basis isn't much fun.

So for u8, fun, skills and then more fun.  Have them make up a cheer.  Spend 30 minutes working on goofy goal celebrations. Then work on skills some more.  Cracks me up when I see u8/u9 teams have 3 different corner kick plays.

 

[Righetti]

5-1 loss today. Shake it off. They will get better

The game was a bit less lopsided than the final score indicated.  We were 2-1 at half and then kind of fell apart.   As expected the girls basically ran up and down constantly and by the 45th minute they were all exhausted.  Also we switched goalies and the second girl was not nearly as aggressive as the first and let a couple of easy ones through   We would probably still have lost but game may have finished 3-1   The goals were also demoralizing as all of a sudden we were down big and their defense was pretty good 

Our top girl got her first goal and also her first yellow card, so that was sort of fun. We had one girl play great defense, our first goalie was awesome, a couple of good scoring opportunities for or forwards that we just didn't convert and a ton of good effort   A few of the slower girls had a really hard time keeping up   I put one girl in and felt like taking her right back out within three minutes in the second half  

one thing I noticed was that the team we played kept three girls back on defense and even on a breakaway, we ran right into their defense a bunch.  It's a pretty good strategy I guess, especially because those three girls were not very tired by the last part of the game while our forwards and midfield center were exhausted l, even with unlimited subbing it was hard to find fresh legs in the 90 degree heat  

As for us we played. 2-3-2 but it took about a half for the defensive girls to realize they had to stay back.  Had a couple of girls complain when I put them into defense but mostly they were good sports.  Like I said, one of the young girls we had really took to defense, she was the star of the game in my opinion   The first goalie was very good, too   I think she even surprised herself but she took direction well and was agressive   We had a hard time getting the ball out of the penalty box by the goalie, we need to work on some strategy there

i was totally exhausted afterwards, can't imagine how the girls feel

thanks for indulging me

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

one thing I noticed was that the team we played kept three girls back on defense and even on a breakaway, we ran right into their defense a bunch.  It's a pretty good strategy I guess, especially because those three girls were not very tired by the last part of the game while our forwards and midfield center were exhausted l, even with unlimited subbing it was hard to find fresh legs in the 90 degree heat  

Yes, this is something that can help a team win when they are little, but is awful from a long-term developmental perspective and can make the game a lot less fun.  I recommend resisting the urge to do this even though it may hurt your won-loss record.  For years my team has been getting burned because I always encourage my defense to push up the field and not to just stand in the back waiting for the ball to come to them.  But I think it's finally starting to pay dividends now that my kids are 12 and 13 years old.  We dominated our game yesterday, in large part because our defense played up and were able to keep the ball on the offensive side of the field most of the time.

It helps to have at least one really fast player on defense who can chase down any breakaways though.

 

[SpurrierisisGod]

Yes, this is something that can help a team win when they are little, but is awful from a long-term developmental perspective and can make the game a lot less fun.  I recommend resisting the urge to do this even though it may hurt your won-loss record.  For years my team has been getting burned because I always encourage my defense to push up the field and not to just stand in the back waiting for the ball to come to them.  But I think it's finally starting to pay dividends now that my kids are 12 and 13 years old.  We dominated our game yesterday, in large part because our defense played up and were able to keep the ball on the offensive side of the field most of the time.

It helps to have at least one really fast player on defense who can chase down any breakaways though.

You explained it better than others did.

One thing I always tell my defenders (because they all hate it when they are 8) is that you are not a tree, don't stand still and grow roots. Everyone plays offense and defense all of the time.

 Good to rotate positions regularly too. My daughter is on the larger side of the size chart but she's also athletic and the smartest player on the field.  She's my normal center back but I needed aggression up top today and she had a breakaway and shot from outside the 18 and nailed it.  Surprised the hell out of everyone.  You never know, she might be the best striker in a year or 2.

BTW, my left back scored 4 goals today.  That's the exception and not the rule but my girls also realize that I will let them attack if they also recover. We played a 3-4-1 today and play 9v9.

 

[Righetti]

You explained it better than others did.

One thing I always tell my defenders (because they all hate it when they are 8) is that you are not a tree, don't stand still and grow roots. Everyone plays offense and defense all of the time.

 Good to rotate positions regularly too. My daughter is on the larger side of the size chart but she's also athletic and the smartest player on the field.  She's my normal center back but I needed aggression up top today and she had a breakaway and shot from outside the 18 and nailed it.  Surprised the hell out of everyone.  You never know, she might be the best striker in a year or 2.

BTW, my left back scored 4 goals today.  That's the exception and not the rule but my girls also realize that I will let them attack if they also recover. We played a 3-4-1 today and play 9v9.

My only issue with rotating the girls today was that for the first day they were learning positions on the fly.   One minute you are a defensive fullback, the next you are a forward.  It was confusing for them to know their responsibilities and with the constant switching, I was having a hard time keeping track of who was where

 

[Kafka]

The game was a bit less lopsided than the final score indicated.  We were 2-1 at half and then kind of fell apart.   As expected the girls basically ran up and down constantly and by the 45th minute they were all exhausted.  Also we switched goalies and the second girl was not nearly as aggressive as the first and let a couple of easy ones through   We would probably still have lost but game may have finished 3-1   The goals were also demoralizing as all of a sudden we were down big and their defense was pretty good 

Our top girl got her first goal and also her first yellow card, so that was sort of fun. We had one girl play great defense, our first goalie was awesome, a couple of good scoring opportunities for or forwards that we just didn't convert and a ton of good effort   A few of the slower girls had a really hard time keeping up   I put one girl in and felt like taking her right back out within three minutes in the second half  

one thing I noticed was that the team we played kept three girls back on defense and even on a breakaway, we ran right into their defense a bunch.  It's a pretty good strategy I guess, especially because those three girls were not very tired by the last part of the game while our forwards and midfield center were exhausted l, even with unlimited subbing it was hard to find fresh legs in the 90 degree heat  

As for us we played. 2-3-2 but it took about a half for the defensive girls to realize they had to stay back.  Had a couple of girls complain when I put them into defense but mostly they were good sports.  Like I said, one of the young girls we had really took to defense, she was the star of the game in my opinion   The first goalie was very good, too   I think she even surprised herself but she took direction well and was agressive   We had a hard time getting the ball out of the penalty box by the goalie, we need to work on some strategy there

i was totally exhausted afterwards, can't imagine how the girls feel

thanks for indulging me

You suck as a coach.

?

 

[AcerFC]

One thing I did to help the spacing issue is refer to right, left and middle as colors. I was coaching a few special kids if you know what I mean. They didnt understand right and left. 

So I made the area by the parents blue, by the coaches green and in the middle purple. At practice we would play a game very much like coke and pepsi, but with the colors on the field. 

Doing that made it easier for the girls to go from blue midfield to blue defense. But you do need to address the positional repsonsibilities in a training session. You can make a game of that as well. 

 

[AcerFC]

I also started to teach defensive tactics by comparing their positioning to a see saw. I told them to teeter totter depending on which side the ball was on. If the ball is on your side, you are the primary defender. If you are on the other side, you are the help and the middle was usually the cover defender.  

That way there was usually depth and we were not caught flat. We didnt have the luxury of having speedsters in the back. 

 

[Ned]

One thing I did to help the spacing issue is refer to right, left and middle as colors. I was coaching a few special kids if you know what I mean. They didnt understand right and left. 

So I made the area by the parents blue, by the coaches green and in the middle purple. At practice we would play a game very much like coke and pepsi, but with the colors on the field. 

Doing that made it easier for the girls to go from blue midfield to blue defense. But you do need to address the positional repsonsibilities in a training session. You can make a game of that as well. 

Clever idea!  

 

[Righetti]

I also started to teach defensive tactics by comparing their positioning to a see saw. I told them to teeter totter depending on which side the ball was on. If the ball is on your side, you are the primary defender. If you are on the other side, you are the help and the middle was usually the cover defender.  

That way there was usually depth and we were not caught flat. We didnt have the luxury of having speedsters in the back. 

I like this idea, one thing I noticed the other team did was keep their defensive players all the way back, right in the penalty box.  It meant we couldn't ever go offsides but it did leave a big part of their side open.   We obviously didn't capitalize but if we could have passed a little bit, it would have made for some opportunities 

in our case we had one defender play about midway, and I had her attack defensively whenever the ball came into our zone.   The other stayed a bit further back

where do you "hide" your least athletic kids, I assume people will put them on defense but I see that as a huge mistake. 

 

[Ned]

Our top girl got her first goal and also her first yellow card, so that was sort of fun. 

We had one girl play great defense,

our first goalie was awesome,

What happened on the yellow?  At least around here, the kid has to be really out of control for an extended period of time for the ref to actually go in their pocket.

Those 2 tidbits above are what it's all about.  Awesome that these girls found something out about themselves out there today.  Especially on the GK piece - that's usually how it goes.  Throw a kid in there that's never done it and then BAM.  They're a natural.  Hopefully she sticks with it!

 

[Righetti]

Clever idea!  

i like this also.  We have girls who are 6-7 and knowing their left from their right is not something that comes naturally to them yet especially if they are on the move.   But I like that idea of dividing the field into a bit of a grid 

 

[Righetti]

What happened on the yellow?  At least around here, the kid has to be really out of control for an extended period of time for the ref to actually go in their pocket.

Those 2 tidbits above are what it's all about.  Awesome that these girls found something out about themselves out there today.  Especially on the GK piece - that's usually how it goes.  Throw a kid in there that's never done it and then BAM.  They're a natural.  Hopefully she sticks with it!

The yellow cam on a breakaway, girl go behind our defense and our midfielder chased her down and pushed her in the back as she was trying to get the ball.  It was an aggressive play but not malicious. It probably saved a goal as the girl had open space and no defender in front of her.  It was open field so a card had to be called.   My assistant coach who has been coaching for years said he never saw a yellow at the U8 level, let alone with the girls   I bet it won't be her only yellow this season, she's super aggressive, but obviously still not that agile, so there will be a few moments where her natural determination will lead to something like this   

The goalie is a cool story, not a very athletic girl but since the first practice she sort of gravitated towards the goal, even during no-goalie scrimmaging, she always hung out back there and tried to defend it   I gave her the blue jersey yesterday morning and her mouth hit the floor   Her parents were stunned, too   She worked really hard out there and took a ton of direction from the sidelines   When we would yell "goalie that is yours" she just jumped on it, she needs to get better insticts but that will come.  The fact she made every routine play and a couple of harder ones was very encouraging.   We had two score on her but she must have stopped five including a couple that weren't gimmies.    

I ran into her at the supermarket later, her parents were so shocked that we gave her the chance to play the position, they learned a lot about their own daughter yesterday.  She was on cloud nine, deservedly so.  

 

[Righetti]

My games were divided into quarters, so it was a little easier to handle substitutions. In your scenario, I'd sub at the halfway point of each half (or whenever a player got tired). Also, try to rotate things so that every player gets to play at least 66% of the game.

We went with substitutions at the 10 minute mark and 20 minute mark in the first half.   The second half was a little less organized as we were pulling girls who were winded whenever we saw them dragging.   We have to do a better job teaching girls to stay in their general positions, if for no other reason than that they can't possibly run up and down that huge field the entire game.    Like I said, I couldn't find any fresh legs late. 

I had a chance to scrimmage last week against older girls.  I wish I would have done it, as I could have gotten a little better view myself of the way the game unfolds and given the girls some sense of positioning 

 

[trogg78]

One thing I did to help the spacing issue is refer to right, left and middle as colors. I was coaching a few special kids if you know what I mean. They didnt understand right and left. 

I call it coaches side and parents  side.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

where do you "hide" your least athletic kids, I assume people will put them on defense but I see that as a huge mistake. 

I don't think there's a uniform answer for this -- it depends a lot on what the kid is particularly good/bad at and how other players might compensate for their deficiencies.  I've had a lot of terrible players over the years -- I've played them extended time at pretty much every position except maybe center midfield. 

One thing that can sometimes work is to give a weak player a limited but important role where she can actually make a difference.  For example, if you see that the opposing team has a weak goalkeeper, you can make a weaker player your striker and direct her to make sure to follow up every shot very aggressively in the event the goalkeeper bumbles it.  The weakest player on my team has scored a couple goals doing exactly this -- she doesn't have the speed or ball control to create a play for herself, but that's something she can do successfully.  If the other team has a really good player, you can instruct one of your weaker players to spend all her time marking that player to make sure she doesn't get the ball.  That's something a lot of kids can do well and they will take pride in doing.

It's tough to find a useful role for kids that are really slow.  It helps to pair them up with a fast kid who can get them out of trouble.  Like you have the slow kid be the first defender with the fast kid as the support defender.  Young forwards will often try to beat a defensive player by just kicking the ball past them and trying to beat them in a foot race to get the ball.  If you can get your slow defender to force the opponent to beat her, there's a pretty good chance your support (faster) defender will end up with the ball. 

 

[Ned]

Agree with fatguy - I've found pairing or stacking a solid player behind a weaker player makes a big difference.  But putting a weak player on the back line can be risky business.  I like to keep the weaker kid on the side that favors his strong foot and then have a supporting player behind him.

 

[lardonastick]

The yellow cam on a breakaway, girl go behind our defense and our midfielder chased her down and pushed her in the back as she was trying to get the ball.  It was an aggressive play but not malicious. It probably saved a goal as the girl had open space and no defender in front of her.  It was open field so a card had to be called.   My assistant coach who has been coaching for years said he never saw a yellow at the U8 level, let alone with the girls   I bet it won't be her only yellow this season, she's super aggressive, but obviously still not that agile, so there will be a few moments where her natural determination will lead to something like this   

The goalie is a cool story, not a very athletic girl but since the first practice she sort of gravitated towards the goal, even during no-goalie scrimmaging, she always hung out back there and tried to defend it   I gave her the blue jersey yesterday morning and her mouth hit the floor   Her parents were stunned, too   She worked really hard out there and took a ton of direction from the sidelines   When we would yell "goalie that is yours" she just jumped on it, she needs to get better insticts but that will come.  The fact she made every routine play and a couple of harder ones was very encouraging.   We had two score on her but she must have stopped five including a couple that weren't gimmies.    

I ran into her at the supermarket later, her parents were so shocked that we gave her the chance to play the position, they learned a lot about their own daughter yesterday.  She was on cloud nine, deservedly so.  

 Awesome!

 

[Lehigh98]

Lots of good advice here so far.  So much to consider.  I've been coaching for the last six years from 5 year olds to now 11 year olds in both rec and travel.  The most important things to me are that the kids are having fun and developing as players regardless of wins and losses.  I let my kids and parents know at the beginning of the season that I'm not measuring success by the record but by how the kids play.  I coach more of a possession style and we've had games where we've held the ball for 75% of the game but lose 2-1 on a couple of dump and chase goals by the other team.  I consider these games a success and let the kids know it.  

You're probably at the age where you're transitioning from playing goofy games in practice so the kids stay interested to actually trying to develop some foot skills and team play.  The kids don't have to be playing sharks and minnows and all the time but you want to want to keep practices and drills as active and as competitive and fun as you can, or at least end with something they think is fun so that's what they remember.  I normally always start with some basic dribbling / footskills and then pick a skill or two per practice that I want to focus on and do a couple related drills and then scrimmage focusing on implementing that skill during play.

I'd say a couple of the most important things you can instill early at this age are communication, spacing / positioning, and movement off the ball.  My new Fall U10 (2007) boys team play like monks and rarely ever speak.  Having teammates letting you know what is going on around you and how to move the ball is huge... Man on! I got ball! Square! Drop! Through! Switch fields! etc.  Positioning is important because most of the game is what's going on away from the ball.  Holding the formation shape and giving the ball carrier multiple passing options is a huge help.  Make sure the defenders push up when you have the ball instead of standing by the goal to give the mids an option behind.  Movement is important so the ball carrier has options, make sure the kids aren't standing still behind a defender (so they can't receive a pass) and move to give the ball carrier a good passing lane.

Also, don't forget to talk to the kids and be a good listener.  What do they like about soccer?  What are they worried about?  What do they think the team should be working on?  

This is a great site for practice plans and drills by skill you want to address:

http://www.youthsoccer101drills.com/

There's a link to upgrade to the "full" plan for free and you can access 100's of plans / drills.

 

[Lehigh98]

The goalie is a cool story, not a very athletic girl but since the first practice she sort of gravitated towards the goal, even during no-goalie scrimmaging, she always hung out back there and tried to defend it   I gave her the blue jersey yesterday morning and her mouth hit the floor   Her parents were stunned, too   She worked really hard out there and took a ton of direction from the sidelines   When we would yell "goalie that is yours" she just jumped on it, she needs to get better insticts but that will come.  The fact she made every routine play and a couple of harder ones was very encouraging.   We had two score on her but she must have stopped five including a couple that weren't gimmies.    

I ran into her at the supermarket later, her parents were so shocked that we gave her the chance to play the position, they learned a lot about their own daughter yesterday.  She was on cloud nine, deservedly so.  

For me the best thing about coaching isn't winning, its this stuff.  

 

[Lehigh98]

Agree with fatguy - I've found pairing or stacking a solid player behind a weaker player makes a big difference.  But putting a weak player on the back line can be risky business.  I like to keep the weaker kid on the side that favors his strong foot and then have a supporting player behind him.

Usually the kids that are weaker players know it and that lack of confidence is as much of a problem as skill level.  I try to put them in position where they can build confidence and avoid spots where a mistake can cost a goal and have them lose confidence and even potentially get the other kids upset with them.  I wouldn't put them in the back line if you're only starting 2 there.  I would put them in the back line if you had 3 and a stronger player in the middle that understands they may have to help out a bit more on that side.  I usually put them on one of the sides of a three man midfield (not center mid) or up at striker.  My mids will usually push up and create scoring chances whether or not we have a strong target player up there.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I had an interesting experience at the U13 level this weekend. New club, new coach and this weekend tournament was our first competitive game they've had. The first game was early Saturday, then we had a 3+ hour break until it was time to report for the second game. About 45 minutes before the second game, we're gathering near the field - some parents and kids were hanging out and the boys were kicking a ball around.  The coach came up angry, gathered the boys, reminded them that they were all supposed to take off their shoes, socks and shinguards and rest over the break. He was pretty angry, all business. So the kids sat down in the shade and were watching a game, and about 15 minutes later, two of the boys started kicking a ball between them. The coach is off by himself, storms over and lights into these two, "what did I just say, we're not warming up yet" rant, then turns to the rest of the team and says they are also at fault for not watching out for their teamates and reminding these two they're supposed to be resting.

In the end, the main reason the boys didn't make the final was because they were fatigued in the second half of the second game and gave up a 2-0 lead. Coach later spoke with parents and emphasized how important rest is and that we're not in the final because of fatigue. My son is totally intimidated by this new coach, but loves playing for him.  I think its going to be an interesting year.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

No offense but that coach sounds like a ####.

 

[Ned]

No offense but that coach sounds like a ####.

They're 12yr old boys.  No place for that bull####, IMO.  I'm really surprised no parent spoke up about it when he met with them.  I would've told him - I agree with him on making it a point to rest up, but there's 101 different ways to approach this than screaming and yelling.  

My son's U12 coach is amazing.  I've never seen a coach so calm and cool like him; the way he's already gotten all 13 boys' respect is so cool to see.  I've yet to see a single kid goof off or step out of line.  He's got it figured out  

 

[The Gator]

I had an interesting experience at the U13 level this weekend. New club, new coach and this weekend tournament was our first competitive game they've had. The first game was early Saturday, then we had a 3+ hour break until it was time to report for the second game. About 45 minutes before the second game, we're gathering near the field - some parents and kids were hanging out and the boys were kicking a ball around.  The coach came up angry, gathered the boys, reminded them that they were all supposed to take off their shoes, socks and shinguards and rest over the break. He was pretty angry, all business. So the kids sat down in the shade and were watching a game, and about 15 minutes later, two of the boys started kicking a ball between them. The coach is off by himself, storms over and lights into these two, "what did I just say, we're not warming up yet" rant, then turns to the rest of the team and says they are also at fault for not watching out for their teamates and reminding these two they're supposed to be resting.

In the end, the main reason the boys didn't make the final was because they were fatigued in the second half of the second game and gave up a 2-0 lead. Coach later spoke with parents and emphasized how important rest is and that we're not in the final because of fatigue. My son is totally intimidated by this new coach, but loves playing for him.  I think its going to be an interesting year.

Seems like he has good intentions with poor execution. 

And they probably lost for other reasons than they were knocking the ball around during a three hour break. 

 

[Righetti]

For me the best thing about coaching isn't winning, its this stuff.  

totally agree. the look on this girls face when i gave her the blue jersey was priceless.. she was nervous early but you couldn't wipe the grin off of her face afterwards..

 

[Righetti]

Usually the kids that are weaker players know it and that lack of confidence is as much of a problem as skill level.  I try to put them in position where they can build confidence and avoid spots where a mistake can cost a goal and have them lose confidence and even potentially get the other kids upset with them.  I wouldn't put them in the back line if you're only starting 2 there.  I would put them in the back line if you had 3 and a stronger player in the middle that understands they may have to help out a bit more on that side.  I usually put them on one of the sides of a three man midfield (not center mid) or up at striker.  My mids will usually push up and create scoring chances whether or not we have a strong target player up there.

this is where i'm leaning also.   I was thinking of going three defenders but a guy up-thread said it really stunts their growth and development, so rethinking it..   I used them as my midfielders and sort of rotated them for each-other, this way we always had a weakness on one side but, hopefully, we figure out ways to compensate with positioning..

 

[The Gator]

When we would yell "goalie that is yours"

Christo always says it's best to just yell "KEEPER!" 

 

[Kafka]

Christo always says it's best to just yell "KEEPER!" 

Lol @ Christo's "keep' her" ...As opposed to: 

"I don't want her, you can have her, she's too fat for me?"

 

[Kafka]

A lot of good advice in here...my daughter's  coach had asked me to assist him in the spring, but i was hesitant because he was a little too "competitive" for 8 yrs old.  Maybe this year I'll take him up on this, just to balance things out.  Great stuff...some quality coaches here.

 

[belljr]

They're 12yr old boys.  No place for that bull####, IMO.  I'm really surprised no parent spoke up about it when he met with them.  I would've told him - I agree with him on making it a point to rest up, but there's 101 different ways to approach this than screaming and yelling.  

My son's U12 coach is amazing.  I've never seen a coach so calm and cool like him; the way he's already gotten all 13 boys' respect is so cool to see.  I've yet to see a single kid goof off or step out of line.  He's got it figured out  

You should see some of the 10U softball coaches I've run into 

 

[Ned]

A lot of good advice in here...my daughter's  coach had asked me to assist him in the spring, but i was hesitant because he was a little too "competitive" for 8 yrs old.  Maybe this year I'll take him up on this, just to balance things out.  Great stuff...some quality coaches here.

Send me your schedule so I can come heckle from the sidelines. 

 

[Righetti]

I had an interesting experience at the U13 level this weekend. New club, new coach and this weekend tournament was our first competitive game they've had. The first game was early Saturday, then we had a 3+ hour break until it was time to report for the second game. About 45 minutes before the second game, we're gathering near the field - some parents and kids were hanging out and the boys were kicking a ball around.  The coach came up angry, gathered the boys, reminded them that they were all supposed to take off their shoes, socks and shinguards and rest over the break. He was pretty angry, all business. So the kids sat down in the shade and were watching a game, and about 15 minutes later, two of the boys started kicking a ball between them. The coach is off by himself, storms over and lights into these two, "what did I just say, we're not warming up yet" rant, then turns to the rest of the team and says they are also at fault for not watching out for their teamates and reminding these two they're supposed to be resting.

In the end, the main reason the boys didn't make the final was because they were fatigued in the second half of the second game and gave up a 2-0 lead. Coach later spoke with parents and emphasized how important rest is and that we're not in the final because of fatigue. My son is totally intimidated by this new coach, but loves playing for him.  I think its going to be an interesting year.

WTF?

 

[Righetti]

Christo always says it's best to just yell "KEEPER!" 

not sure if this is shtick but this is good advice

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

I was thinking of going three defenders but a guy up-thread said it really stunts their growth and development, so rethinking it..  

I think you're referring to my comments.  I wasn't saying that having three defenders would stunt development.  I was saying that having defenders who just stand back on the defensive end waiting for the ball to come to them would stunt development.  I think any formation can work fine, as long as your defenders move up and back on the field.

 

[Kafka]

Send me your schedule so I can come heckle from the sidelines. 

I'll be coaching from the trees...

 

[The Gator]

not sure if this is shtick but this is good advice

Coach Tip #15213: Try not to instruct too much during games. Get kids used to key words like; "keeper", "move", "spacing" . The more you talk, the more they have to think about what you said the less they're concentrating on playing the game. Especially at this age...don't do play by play for them on the sideline. 

 

[Righetti]

I think you're referring to my comments.  I wasn't saying that having three defenders would stunt development.  I was saying that having defenders who just stand back on the defensive end waiting for the ball to come to them would stunt development.  I think any formation can work fine, as long as your defenders move up and back on the field.

ah, gotcha.   It seems sort of an appealing, albeit maybe boring, strategy, as we had an almost impossible time trying to break through that line when we were on offense.   those three kids on the other side would just park themselves in the front of the penalty box, so there was almost no easy angle to shoot at and since the girls don't pass well yet, it was always a one-on-three situation for us.   Our center-mid scored on one play against that defense and almost had a second that she pushed wide but our other girls had a really hard time with it.