Soccer Strategies For Kids

Soccer strategies can be complex, particularly at the elite level. But for kids, soccer strategy can be kept simple, with the focus on fundamental skills and fun. Limit the tactical advice you give your players, and spend the bulk of your coaching time on reinforcing core skills, such as keeping possession with a good pass, or defending well.

Types

Strategies for kids' soccer should focus on the basics, with each player learning the roles and responsibilities of each position. Youth soccer players should get the experience of playing defender, midfield, and forward. Other basic soccer strategy points you should teach include passing to an open teammate, and spreading out into open space when a teammate has the ball. Defensively, youth soccer players should be taught to pressure the ball, and cover opposing players away from the ball.

Significance

The importance of teaching kids soccer strategy at an appropriate level cannot be underestimated. If a coach does not teach basic positional roles and responsibilities, a team will struggle when required to play a game on a full-size field. Even if a player is technically good, soccer's large open spaces require basic strategic awareness.

Benefits

Teaching kids soccer strategies allows a player to maximize his ability during a soccer game. Being aware of soccer strategy will not only increase a player's in-game performance of a player, but also her confidence. A player who is able to do her job and cover for her own teammates will find the game more enjoyable.

Risks

Not teaching strategy to young players can result in a player being caught out of position, and performing poorly on game day. This can hurt the team, and can also lead to a loss in confidence --- a delicate facet in any young player.

Expert Insight

The youth academy of professional Dutch soccer club Ajax FC, which has produced such stars as Johan Cruyff and Dennis Bergkamp, teaches basic positional roles, but does not focus overly on the team shape and strategy, Michael Sokolove reports for the "New York Times." Rather, the staff of the Ajax youth program tries to focus on the individual development of each player --- valuing the artistry of a soccer game over the result.