Youth soccer teams provide a structured environment for kids to learn the basics of the sport. They gain a sense of belonging and learn teamwork and cooperation. A youth soccer organization typically includes both games and practices. An effective kids' soccer practice includes a variety of soccer drills and activities.
Purpose
Soccer practice is the time used by the coaches to teach soccer skills to the young players. Practice includes large group, small group and individual drills that focus on specific soccer skills. Teams with young children spend practice time learning the skills. Older kids focus more on perfecting the skills so they perform them correctly in game situations. Soccer practice gives the players a chance to learn to work together to improve their play in actual games.
Planning
A schedule for each soccer practice ensures that you include a balance of activities. The schedule also keeps the practice moving so the kids aren't standing around for long periods. The layout of each practice depends on several factors, including the age of the players, length of practice, your goals for practice and the number of times you have practice each week. Create a general schedule that you use for all practices. Fill in the particular sections of the schedule with different activities for each practice. Devote the first five minutes to warm-up activities and the last five minutes for cool-down activities to reduce the risk of injury. Ideas include stretching, running laps while dribbling a soccer ball or "Follow the Leader" with soccer balls. Divide the rest of your time between individual, small group and large group drills. A practice game situation works well as the group activity. This prepares the kids for games against other teams.
Practice Environment
An emphasis on enjoyment of soccer gets the kids excited about the sport and makes them more willing to actively participate in practice. A game-like approach to drills allows the kids to practice key skills without getting bored or feeling frustrated. For example, instead of repetitive practice of dribbling, let the kids practice ball control and dribbling through a game of "Red Light, Green Light" with soccer balls. Focus on creating a sense of community within the team so they kids trust one another and work together. Emphasize the things the kids do correctly while gently correcting mistakes in form. This positive environment encourages the kids as they learn soccer.
Considerations
Set expectations for practices at the beginning of the season to reduce discipline problems. When planning soccer practices, choose activities that keep the kids active the entire time. Games and activities that involve long lines for waiting leave the kids bored and waste valuable practice time. Choose drills that keep the kids in the activity as long as possible, with lots of ball contact so they are actively practicing soccer skills.
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