Just run through the article once and you’ll be assured of the fact that in Soccer practice, more than soccer drills, it is the games that play a key role in developing skills.
Not only are games more stimulating than drills, but the energy required is also the same like in a real tournament.
Games in soccer training call for great concentration, offer unlimited fun, and kids tend to enjoy different facets of the game while learning it.
You must remember the following rules while bringing in games in the training sessions.
1. Its necessary for each player to both have the ball and play with it more often.
2. Its vital that each player has an equal participation in the game.
It shouldn’t be that the weak players are deprived of playing with the ball.
3. The strategy of reward and reprimand should be done away with.
The games are not meant for that.
4. To build soccer skills should be the only focal point of the games.
5. Ideally, you should not enforce any rules or limits in a game.
6. Games should be such that are easy to recognize and take part in.
If games are complex in nature, they lead to wastage of time and energy.
7. Last but not the least, it is important to increase the challenge in a game once the kids have passed a certain level.
In a soccer practice session, 200-300 times is the least that every player participating should touch the ball.
This activity will guarantee that kids are making progress in building their soccer skills.
Some exciting, well-liked and successful soccer coaching games have been given below that aid in building player’s skills.
1. Shoot the coach: The kids in this game progress towards the goalpost in a group whilst keeping their head up.
This has the effect of improving the dribbling and a player’s ability to concentrate.
It always helps to make the kids play the game by starting with 3 kids and regularly introducing more players.
2. Freeze Tag: This game is great for warm ups as well as teaching the kids to keep the ball away from the defender.
Each player in this game has a ball apart from one player who is required to touch and not kick the ball.
When it occurs, the player who has the ball does not move and acts as a goal post.
Only when the other player has hit the ball between frozen player’s legs can that player be de-frozen.
Keep playing till all the players are frozen.
3. Red light, green light: In this game, the kids stand in a line.
What the coach does is shout green light and turns his back to the kids, who should then move forward with their balls quickly before the coach again shouts red light and faces the kids.
If any kid has not moved forward, he is sent back to the starting line.
This is a nice game that builds quickness and focus.
Now you know!
If you are interested in receiving more knowledge on soccer practice games, you must be a part of our youth soccer coaching community.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andre Botelho is a recognized authority in youth soccer coaching and has already helped thousands of youth coaches to dramatically improve their coaching skills. Learn how to explode your players’ skills and make training fun by downloading your free ebook at: Soccer Practice Drills
