Soccer Practice With Small Children

Fun and games - So easy, yet so hard

A. Goals

Soccer Drills

As a trainer of small children, you can forget any soccer ambitions; doing so sets the foundation for successful work.

Soccer Practice With Small Children

There is only one goal: the kids should stay in soccer over the years. Even this statement can be moderated somewhat: the kids should discover the joy of sport and remain active over the years. It doesn't matter if this happens through soccer or something else entirely.

As coaches of small children, we therefore carry a great responsibility - even if this is not always fulfilled correctly. The main thing is having fun and enjoying being active and part of a team; soccer isn't always the best way to accomplish this.

B. Exercise choice and implementation

Offer exercises with a variety of equipment, for example using different balls. It is even better if you have a wide array of other aids. This can include poles, hurdles, tires and, in the hall, an assortment of gymnastics equipment.

Now you need good games to get them moving; these should not be offered "as is", but should instead be packed into a great story. That is already the first step in offering practice that is suitable for children.

In children's soccer practice it is important to look specifically for drills that are fun and that train the entire movement mechanism. Put a lot of effort into creating these exercises; support their imaginations with pictures; tell a great and exciting story and then: let them play, play, and play. This should be enough for now; the foundations are set.

C. Game operation

When playing against other teams it is important that each child gets to play for the same amount of time; substitutions that are aimed at succeeding don't exist. Positions are not necessary, since every child can play anywhere; even the goalkeeper changes frequently. The coach's job is to implement this and to make sure things remain calm and the atmosphere is a good one.

D. I'm not a soccer coach

Activities in addition to games and practice: a very important point for the little stars. Excursions, short trips or other activities bind the children to the team and help them gain social competence. Unfortunately, many clubs are still of the opinion that it is very easy to coach a children's team and you don't need to understand much about it.

This is a big mistake, because the choice of person should be made with just as much care as when choosing a coach for the men's senior team. The damage that can be done if you don't handle the mini kickers correctly can be much worse than in a senior team.

Every children's coach needs at least one assistant and a few other helpers in order to ensure that there is enough support. Parents can often be convinced to become assistants. There is one thing that every person responsible for the kids should know: "I'm not a soccer coach!"

Anyone wanting to be a soccer coach should not take on the children's team, but should look for older players to train.

This was just a short summary of what makes coaching children so unique.

Soccer Practice With Small Children