TIPS FOR SUCCESS

1. Have fun! Coaching is enjoyable and soccer is a game to be enjoyed. The players know when you are having fun and they will follow your lead. If the players have fun and like their coach, they will like the sport. Don’t be worried, they will give you plenty to laugh about as they try to learn the sport.

2. Demand respect. This can be a tough balance while trying to keep things fun, but it is important. The players will push the envelope as far as you let them. It is important that you let them know their limits early on in order to maintain order.

3. Be assertive. Make your presence known and let the players know that you will hold strong to the limits you have set (you can not be a "push-over" or they could walk over you).

4. Be patient. The players will take time to learn the instructions, games, exercises, and activities. All players learn at a different speed. Don’t expect them to master the drill on the first attempt. This age group gets distracted easily - be prepared to stop and watch with the children if an airplane flies overhead or if there is an ambulance or train near by. Clearly marking off the playing area with discs is also a good way to control and contain the children.

5. Be creative. Let the players use their imaginations. Incorporate stories into the drills and games. This is a great way to extend the players’ short attention span. It is helpful to establish a "home base" were you have the players return to and sit for the creative instructions to follow.

6. Learn your players’ names. The young players respond best when you call their name. It can be hard to get their attention when you are just shouting commands "over the top." Give specific instructions to the specific young player. They will also be less distracted and listen better when they are sitting down.

7. Appeal to their senses. This is another way gain the young player’s attention and to extend their short attention span. Kids respond well to pictures, sounds, touch, and sight. Give examples and have them follow you. The players should have their own soccer ball for about 80% of the activities.

8. Keep things simple. Do not spend too much time explaining and don’t include too many details. If a certain player is being shy and not participating, do a very easy activity (like "soccer drums" or stretch) that everyone can participate in with ease. This allows those shy players to join in and follow your lead.

9. Be flexible. The young players are all different and they have different preferences in activities. The "home base : game" cycle works great with an estimated 1:4 (minutes) ratio. Spend about 1 minute explaining the game to the students at home base and then execute the game for about 4 minutes. Continue this cycle being flexible with the different games and interests of the students.

10. Make a difference. The players look up to the coach. Use this as an opportunity to give the children a positive experience and a good example.

GAMES

Game #1: "Sleeping Giants" Giants (players) are asleep in their cave while the lumberjack (coach) plants trees (cones) in the forest. When the giants wake up, they have to knock down the trees with their soccer ball by passing the ball against the trees.

Game #2: "Find Me Gold!" Pirates (players) help their Captain (coach) collect all the gold (discs) that he has lost on the beach. The pirates can only pick up the gold by first trapping the ball with the bottom of their foot and keeping their foot on the ball while picking up the gold.

Game #3: "Attack of the Octopus" The pirates are sailing back on their ship when a giant octopus (coach) attacks the ship and steals all of their gold. The players must shoot their soccer balls at the octopus to get their gold back (players get a piece of gold if they hit the moving coach) and defeat the octopus.

Game #4: "RACECARS" Each player is a car racing (by dribbling their soccer ball) around the racetrack (set up with discs). The coach gives cars instructions: fast, slow, red light, green light, car crash (fall), change directions, 2 laps then score a goal, different body part on ball, etc.

Game #5: "Obstacle Course" Coach sets up a course using speed ladder (train tracks), Pugg goals (tunnel), hoops, discs, cones, etc., to challenge the players. The coach leads to give the example of how to go through the course. The coach should include certain progressions to start out slow and simple and eventually challenge the players to go through the course faster and without using their hands on the ball. The course ends by the player scoring a goal and then it is repeated.

Note: These games listed are only a small portion of the many games and activities available for young soccer players. Feel free to contact the director for a few more examples.