| Home | About Us | Contact Us |
|
Youth Soccer DevelopmentLet's start first of all with the kids, since they are the center of this whole process. No matter what age you coach, you will have kids of all shapes and sizes.You will also have kids at all levels of ability. Each child's development in youth soccer is on their own personal timeline. They all progress at a different rate. About your kids Here's a couple of other noticeable characteristics for these ages. I am sure that you have experienced the same things at home, so why expect it to be different on the soccer field? U-6 Children typically...
U-8 Children typically...
That's right, no pressure here. You don't have to teach the offsides trap, the 4-4-2 formation, the double scissors and set plays. Your job is to help them develop basic skills and most importantly of all to love playing soccer. You see, kids come to practice and game to PLAY soccer. They aren't there to discuss soccer philosophy, stand in line, get lectured to, etc. They want to kick the ball. Preferably as often as possible. HINT: Kids want to have fun playing soccer. They enjoy the game more when they get to touch the ball A LOT! If you can develop in your children the love of soccer, they will develop as players. We'll talk more about this later, but suffice it to say that if your kids are passionate about soccer, they will become good players. Teaching Youth Soccer TacticsSeveral years ago, I went with my son to his first U7 soccer game. The coach was unable to be there, and the other parents, knowing I was a high school coach, thrust the leadership of the team on me. Talk about culture shock. Controlling the U7's on the field was much like trying to herd a bunch of cats. It didn't work really well. My first thought was man, whoever coached these guys needs some help. Having spent the last few years coaching these kids, however, I came to appreciate the task of working with younger players that are just beginning their youth soccer development. I see the question asked over and over (and asked it to myself as well)…”How do you teach soccer tactics to the youngsters” I have read, researched, studied and labored over this question. And the bottom line answer is…YOU DON'T Too much tactics training too early will just burn your kids out on the sport. A 6 year old doesn't want to stay back on defense, he wants to chase, trap and dribble that darn ball. After working hard to get a hold of that thing, he doesn't want to pass it, he wants to kick it around a bit. I've come to this conclusion about the development of the youngest players. I want them to love the game of soccer. I want them to love to dribble, love to shoot and love to chase that ball around the junior sized pitch (field). |
||||||||||
![](../images/spacer.gif"){kind=spacer}
