Coaching Youth Soccer - Running a Successful Soccer Practice

As a new soccer coach in the early '90's I recall watching another soccer coaches perform a certain soccer drill with his team. The drill was great and appeard to bring out the best of soccer players. The kids were having a blast and they appeard to be getting better in the short time I watched the practice.

Two days later, during my next training session with my team, I brought that same exact drill to my team. However, that soccer drill just didn't seem as dynamic as it was with the other coach. I mean everything was the same. I set up my grid with the same dimensions, the skill level of both teams were the same, and I had the exact same instructions to the drill as the earlier soccer coach. Well almost exactly like the other soccer coach. There was one big difference that I did not bring to the table.

I'll start by saying that learning to become an effective soccer coach definitely take trial and error in your early years. However, the key is to have good grasp on the purpose and coaching points that each soccer drill is designed to focus. My problem mentioned earlier was set up properly, however, not executed the soccer drill to it's fullest potential. My problem was when I was on my own running the drill I was unsure when to make a correction or what correction to make for that matter.

Over the years I am much wiser now and below I have written down some key points to make your soccer practice more effective:

1. As a soccer coach, if you see a soccer player making a mistake, stop the drill and try to recreate the situation. Have the players walk through what they should have done.
2. When you stop play, ask questions and have the players answer. This will help you assess how much they are grasping your teachings.
3. As a soccer coach, you must be prepared and in control of all situations.
4. Make the soccer practice sessions realistic, purposeful and enjoyable.
5. Set reasonable expectations for each player.
6. Give good instructions with a simplified walk-through to explain each situation you are teaching to assure a clear, concise and understanding of the idea.
7. The coach can demonstrate, or have players demonstrate with a walk-through of the situation you are explaining
   

Just keep in mind that when coaching youth soccer is not necessarily about the drills you run, but how you run the drills.