Boys' Soccer Training

Gareth Stratton, author of "Youth Soccer: From Science to Performance," states that 7,000 hours are required to turn youth players into soccer experts. The hours you spend training your boys can put them on the road to excellence. Successful soccer training of boys allows them to express themselves, to take responsibly for decision-making on the field and enjoy the game. Train the individual boy by adapting drills to his needs and involve parents in supporting the boy's development in the sport.

Physical Fitness

Successful boys' training relies on the three pillars of success: focusing on fitness, technical skills and psychology. The first pillar, fitness, requires a balance of soccer skills work with cardiovascular fitness training. Train the boys by concentrating on areas of fitness that relate specifically to the needs of the game, such as speed over short distance and cardiovascular endurance for the whole match. The boys need to be agile and flexible to beat an opponent but also strong and powerful to win tackles.

Technique

The key to coaching technique in soccer is to allow the boys to spend as much time with the ball as possible. England midfielder Frank Lampard explains the importance of training the players to use both feet. Train the boys using drills designed to improve technical soccer skills such as controlling the ball, passing the ball, heading, judging a tackle or shooting at goal.

Psychology

John Bilton, head of youth development for English team Rotherham FC, states parents play an important role in the psychology of young boys. Parents are encouraged never to criticize the coach in front of the boy. Focus on what the boy is doing well after every coaching session. Encourage your child to take responsibility for their equipment and kit. Never criticize a referee or opponent in front of your child to promote respect for match officials and the opposition. Bilton says parents should "help the young player focus on performance and not the result."

Considerations

Research into the gender differences within the context of soccer coaching, according to English coach Steve Watson, is "pretty thin on the ground." The research that has been done found slight differences between the genders in team unity, the level of competitiveness during sessions and girls placing "more emphasis on 'fair play' than boys who are more likely to bend the rules." More research needs to be done to confirm these findings, and until then caution should be the way forward. If you coach a coed group, Watson writes that boys and girls should be offered the same opportunities and given the same consideration during your coaching sessions.