Soccer Coaching: Let the Game be the Teacher

In 1998 as I was getting my National Level “C” soccer license in Dallas, Texas I vividly recall the instructor repeating “let the game be the teacher”. I had my own idea of this concept, but had not practiced this concept as of yet. So, what does “let the game be the teacher” mean exactly?

Even though this was drilled into my head during the course, it took a few years for me to truly understand and appreciate exactly what this meant. First of all, I think the most important thing to point out is that “less is more”. What that meant to me is less me time (coach time) and more them time (player time). The quickest way to teach players the game is by the players playing the game. Not drills, not skills, not fitness, but the game.

Ok, so now we know we need more player time and less coach time. How can we achieve this? In the United States we do not see pickup games on the playground after school without coaches. As a soccer coach, you should encourage your players to play at home whether it’s with family, friends, neighbors or school mates. When there are no coaches and no restrictions the game becomes the teacher. In this type of setting, mistakes will happen, but in order for that player to be successful he or she must make on the fly corrections in order to be successful at these small pick-up games.

If pickup games are not feasible for your age group, use the last 20 minutes of practice and allow the kids to play a pickup game against each other and you as a coach just sit back and watch. Sometimes a quick instruction or two is needed, however in game situations, the players will learn from their mistakes.

So next soccer practice, just sit back and let the kids play and observe the play from a “distance”. It might be beneficial to add some restrictions such as number of touches, number of passes, etc, but only if you want to focus on a certain aspect of the game such as combination play, possession, or dribbling skills.

Coaching Youth Soccer - Juggling in Pairs

Juggling is very important to the development of youth soccer athletes and teaches players how to control the ball and improves touch with all body parts. As a Youth Soccer Coach, finding fun activities in order to teach the art of juggling is very important. One game to teach juggling is to have soccer players juggle in pairs.

To coach youth soccer players to juggle in pairs, simply have t players stand facing each other. Have one player start with juggling the soccer ball a couple times before playing the ball to the other player. That player then juggles the ball a couple times before passing the ball back to the starting player. Any part of the body can be used except for the hands or arms. Do not allow the ball to touch the ground and have the players count the number of times the ball is successfully played between the two players.

Depending on the age and skill level of the youth soccer players, you might allow the ball to bounce once on the ground during the pass to the other player. For more advanced players don't allow the player to use the same part of the of the body touch the ball more than 2-3 times in a row. Once they have mastered juggling in pairs, have the players play in one touch to each other in the air without the ball touching the ground.

As a youth soccer coach, make sure each player is making soft precise touches and make sure they are giving their partner a playable ball. Teach each player to be on the balls of their feet in anticipation for the ball. Also instruct the players to attempt to keep the ball below their head close to their body and in a relaxed body position.