BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

Coaches, months of hard work, long development hours, and constant refinement have paid off. What better time to open the doors than World Cup time?

I’d like to announce the grand opening of the Youth Soccer Coach site! This new site has been a labor of love for this beautiful game and aspiring soccer coaches around the world. This new site is a membership site where coaches can join to download coaching information that is much more detailed than what you might have seen in the past, and all applicable files can be edited to make them your own!

Yes, it’s true. No other website I’ve seen is offering information like this! You can edit the files and put your club or team logo on them, change the terminology to match your own, and modify them any way you see fit.

Many of the soccer formation diagrams we are famous for now have multiple versions of each diagram included, and up to 4, 5, and 6 or more pages of description, strategy recommendations, variation discussion, and more.

If you’ve seen what is available at the Coach Mark Soccer Club website, you’re going to be blown away by what you see at the new site!

We’ve got soccer player evaluation forms with 160 categories of skills and personality traits to assess. We’ve got over 130 of the best training, conditioning, skill development and technique videos to be seen anywhere on the Internet. Soccer information for coaches, players, parents and team managers are all available. I promise you’ve never seen anything like this before.

Please visit the Youth Soccer Coach site now and receive introductory pricing that won’t last for long. Join the site before the Fall price increase!

(Dedicated) To your soccer success,

Coach Mark

So, how does a youth soccer coach keep the players happy, engaged, and interested in “practicing” soccer? I think it is through the use of “games”, not “drills”. I never call them drills until the kids are at the U13 age or older. Younger players want to “play games”, not “run drills”.

If there is a competitive element to these games, that’s all the better. Many young players are already developing a competitive edge. So, use that and keep them engaged in the practice.

One of the oldest, but still tried and true practice “games” is Sharks and Minnows. It goes by many other names, but the concept remains sound. My absolute favorite practice game for the younger ages (and some later ages) is “Sharks and Minnows” – watch this video -

Click here to view the embedded video.

That video does a great job of explaining it. This game is called by many other names, but the concept is the same.  Keep the rules simpler than those described in the video for 9 year olds and younger. Start with one or two sharks. As he/she kicks the other player’s balls out of the circle or square (you can build one with cones or use the center circle like the video), each of those players then become sharks until only one or two minnows are left. That’s it, keep it simple.

This “game” teaches them 1) ball handling skills, 2) defensive positioning, 3) shielding the ball, 4) short burst movements and 5) lower body control. It’s a perfect “fun” game in a lot of ways, that teaches excellent ball handling and other useful skills without the players even knowing that they are learning something. It all appears just “fun” to them. And they learn some great techniques at the same time!

To your soccer success,

Coach Mark

Hosting a youth soccer training session can be a lot of fun. When hosting a soccer training session with children, you can expect to see them, their family members, and even a few of their friends comes to watch the training. This makes for a very exciting time for everyone. Coaches get the opportunity to personally develop each player individually, while others watch in amazement at the pure skill and agility of the child that they are supporting. However, it is essential to bring along some basic equipment that is required for youth soccer training.

The first thing that you should bring to your youth soccer training session is a soccer ball for each player. While you should allow it to be permissible for a child to bring their own soccer ball, it is important to understand that many children may not have their own soccer ball. There are many children who may simply forget their soccer ball. This is why it is essential to have a steady supply of balls available. Be sure to make a rule that if a child brings along their own soccer ball they should write their first and last name in permanent marker on it. This will ensure proper identification after the youth soccer training session is over.

The next thing that you should be sure to bring to a youth soccer training session is a large container of prepared ice water. You can purchase a cooler that has a spout to make it easy to get the fluid from the container. Be sure to purchase a large amount of cups that the children can use. Normally, these cups will become misplaced and a child may use a new cup each time that they get something to drink. You may wish to explain to parents that a child should bring a bottle of ice water with them to soccer training. Be sure to stress the importance of placing their names on the bottles. Many children may even like to bring sports bottles.

The third thing that you should bring to a youth soccer training session is enough shin guards for all of the players. It is important to have these items available to avoid the risk of injury in your players. Many children may forget their shin guards, or may not be able to purchase a pair for themselves. However, as a coach, it is essential that you take these things into consideration to ensure that all players are able to enjoy a safe practice session.

When coaching a youth soccer training session, it is very important to be certain that you bring a whistle. In many cases, this will be the only method that you can use to gain the attention of the children. This is especially true if the training area is relatively large. You do not have to invest a lot of money into the whistle for it to be effective, but it is necessary that it has a high enough quality to be heard. You may choose to bring a few extra whistles to ensure that you have a backup in case the first one becomes lost or damaged in any way.

The next item that you will need at a youth soccer training session is a way to separate the group into teams. This may be as simple as different colored vests, t-shirts of different colors, or even flagging devices. There are many drills and other activities that may require you to have at least two teams, so, having a method of identifying your teams are very important.

If you coach girls, hair scrunchies, and elastic head bands can help them see the ball, the field and their teammates.

And don’t forget a first aid kit. Band-aids, antibiotic ointment, athletic tape, instant ice packs and many other parts of a good kit will come in handy.

Lastly, a large set of cones can come in very handy. They can be used to form the outline of a field, create goals to shoot at, force the players to get in lines, mark a dribbling course, and so much more!

Don’t forget to check out Coach Mark Soccer Club for more great, free information about how to run a well organized practice!

To your soccer success,

Coach Mark

Coaches,

I’m celebrating! And with good reason. My daughter scored four goals in her last game! So, I just have to celebrate the only way I know how. By giving my fellow youth soccer coaches some more free documents to coach better, have more fun, and win more games.

I have to be fair to you and let you know that I gave my club coaches two new files to download for free. One is a three midfielder soccer formation diagrams, with the complete explanation you need to provide to your team. The second document is a graphical team calendar your team manager and your palyer’s paretns will love you for!

Go over and join the club to get your free soccer formation diagram and soccer team calendar now! Here’s what they look like below.

By the way, did I tell you my daughter scored four goals?

To your soccer success,

Coach Mark

Coaches, how many of you are really utilizing a soccer field diagram in your practices, your games and anywhere else you interact with your youth soccer players? If you’re not using them every day, Coach Mark thinks you’re missing out on a very valuable communication method. Youth are visual learners; a simple diagram can make all the difference.

Check out my Squidoo lens for much more valuable information on soccer field diagrams.

Then remember to go to Coach Mark Soccer Club to download free soccer diagrams for your use.

To your soccer success,

Coach Mark

By Matt Hick

Coaches have used soccer drills for years to teach a variety of moves and strategies to players. While many players argue that repetitive drills are boring, the benefits of practicing the same skill over and over again can make the difference between a team full of qualified players who are ready to go up against even the toughest team, and a team with little or no teamwork capabilities or soccer skill.

The goal of the coach is to find drill that not only teaches specific playing skills, but which are fun for players. Here are a few basic skills drills to get your team started:

Taking Control of the ball is vitally important in the game of soccer. One way to help players learn to gain control is by separating them into two teams in two single file lines facing each other. Serve the ball into the air while each player fights for control of it.

Learning to protect the ball can be done with this simple one-on-one drill: have one player stand next to the ball with his/her feet a shoulder width apart, while the second player stands on the outside shoulder of the first player. Instruct player 2 to get his foot on the ball “by any means necessary”, which forces the opposing player to maintain balance, protect the ball and learn how to respond to aggressive opponents.

Some coaches prefer drills that more resemble a game. This short 8-minute drill is designed to provide constant movement in a fun way and helps players work on crossing, finishing, goalkeeping and team communication.

Break the group into teams of 3’s or 4’s, giving each team a ball. Instruct the player holding the ball to go to the sideline 18 yards from the end line. The player then dribbles the ball to the end line, and crosses the ball back toward the middle, while the teammates try to score one touch. If the ball is on the ground and is scored, the team scores one point, but, if the ball is served in the air and volleyed into the goal, it counts as 3 points. If the ball is played in the air and headed into the goal, it counts as 5 points for the team. Each player serves the ball twice before rotating. Each team can only use their own ball.

Here are a few other short drills that can aid players in developing better kicking and ball control:

Inside Roll: Roll the ball across your body from outside to inside with the inside and sole of the foot, stopping the ball with the inside of the other foot.

Push-Pull: Using the inside of the foot, tap ball back and forth and pushing it forward with one foot and pulling it back the sole of the opposite foot.

Pull Turn: Push the ball forward with one foot and pull it back with the other while turning your body toward the ball and taking the ball in the opposite direction with the inside of the first foot.

Kick Over ball: Kick over ball with the inside of the foot, while pulling it back with the sole of the same foot.
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By William B

I believe there are 5 key factors that contribute to both having fun, and also being successful, when it comes to practicing and playing the game of soccer.

Make It Fun for the Kids
The first and most important factor is to make it fun for the kids. If you can make it fun, they will come to practice with enthusiasm and with a willingness to learn. That sets the stage to teach the basic fundamentals of soccer.

Basic Fundamentals
The basic fundamentals of soccer are the second most important thing. This must be done at an early age. By teaching the kids the basic fundamentals at an early age, they take that foundation with them for future learning. Like anything else, building a house, putting together a project plan for Information Technology system projects, or learning the game of soccer. A strong foundation is the key to success.

Plan Your Practice Sessions
The third factor is being prepared and having a plan for each practice session. Each practice session should focus on a particular subject. Maybe today we will learn about how to dribble the ball with the inside of each foot, by controlling the ball and keeping it close to our feet and not letting it get too far out in front of us. Control of the ball is a key factor with learning the game of soccer. You can make this teaching exercise fun by having the players dribble around objects, each other, having it be a race with control, etc. The focus though must be on keeping the ball close, using both feet, and having fun while doing these exercises. Each practice session should have a theme, or, an expected outcome of what you are looking to accomplish in that session. Other items to work on are passing, shooting, trapping, etc. Also, at a very young age such as 6 – 8, you must keep the practices short. Young players do not have the ability to stay focused for a very long period of time.

Organizing Your Team, Parent Support
The fourth factor is to have the support and understanding of the parents. You need to hand out at the very beginning of each season what your expectations of the parents are to be and discuss it with them. The parents need to understand that you, and only you, will be teaching the players how to play the game. There will not be an emphasis on winning. The emphasis will be on learning the fundamentals of the game. If the players do that, the winning just falls into place.

Parents also need to know that only the coach should be providing positive feedback to the players both during practice, as well as, on game day. The parents should show positive support for their child and the other children on the team, but at no time should any parent be shouting instructions to their child during practice, or game day. The players can only follow one master, and that is the coach. I can remember just like it was yesterday, I had a girl on one of my Under 8 teams come off of the field at half-time crying and I didn’t know what was wrong. I didn’t see that she got hurt or was injured. So I asked her why she was crying. She said, my mom and dad are yelling at me to do one thing, and you are telling me to do another thing. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to disobey my parents. Well, you can bet when the game was over we had a parents meeting to avoid this from ever happening again. In addition, at no time should any parent be negative towards the players on our team, an opposing team, or the adult officials for the game.

Experience Counts
I have been coaching youth soccer for 12 years. During that time I have seen many different styles of coaching. I have also met many soccer knowledgeable people. Coaching youth soccer is not rocket science. Many of my teams have gone undefeated winning numerous age group league championships both indoor and outdoor. They have won soccer tournaments both locally and traveling to other states such as the prestigious Soccer Hall of Fame Summer Tournament in Oneonta, NY. I also have had 3 teams that have been crowned EPYSA State Champions, 1 outdoor and 2 indoor.

That being said, you always question if you have done the right things when it comes to teaching the kids how to play. I recently had the opportunity to attend a Super Liga game at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. between D.C. United and Atlante, Mexico. Watching both teams warm up before the game, I was amazed to see both teams using warm-up drills that I used with my teams 4 years ago. Those type of things help to confirm the fact that you did the right things in training your kids how to play the game.
About the Author: I have been a youth soccer coach for 12 years coaching both girls and boys teams from ages 6 thru 17. My teams have played both indoor and outdoor soccer. They have played both recreational, as well as, travel soccer. My teams have competed in numerous soccer tournaments throughout eastern Pennsylvania, as well as, New York.

Here are the Methods that have Helped Me Become a Successful Youth Soccer

Coach!

Click here Coaching Youth Soccer

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