It’s not wrong that in kids soccer drills, coaches are very much responsible for the downfall of the players as a team because of some errors. Yes, it is true. A good number of you might be wondering what on earth could be so big to get the team on a losing track. Okay then, let it be known that reasons are countless.
You will have to work very watchfully and advantageously in designing soccer drills for kids. Make it a point to know and value psychology of the kids. Speak with them in a language that they can understand well. But unfortunately, many coaches are unprepared to adjust to it. They do not appreciate the difference between coaching the kids and coaching mature players.
So here it is; top mistakes or sins as I call them that coaches make and put their teams on a losing track.
1. A lot of them consider their jobs as casual work. They don’t arrange the drills, refuse to plan their sessions, and are always late in getting to the field. Activities like these not merely put off the kids but are also terrible. Just like the kids, you too should get serious about soccer. Youth soccer drills should be pre-planned. Arrange for various equipments needed to perform the drills before-hand.
Be on time. Always reach the field before the kids. Actually, be there when the kids get there. What you get here is the additional time to run through the drills or plan out things.
2. When the coaches are instructing before the kids soccer drills, it is normal for them to take a long time. Can you anticipate how boring that can get? Know that kids come to the field to play and not listen to boring speeches. Always speak for less amount of time. Use these sessions in a way that the kids get inspired to play and enjoy the game.
It is extremely vital that the kids are not interrupted while playing. If the kids do anything incorrectly, make a note of it and share it afterwards. Also, stay out of the field when the kids are practicing.
3. Some coaches get ruthless and unkind while dealing with the kids. In soccer drills for youth, both the traits are self-destructive. It is bad to display weak behaviour on the soccer field. It is fine for the kids to make errors. Do not forget that they are children. Never take things very critically and make it an excuse to get bad with the players.
If this happens, you can drive the kids away from the game. Soccer is a game of the mind. When you help the kids know the meaning of it, they will love the game.
Do yourself a favor and avoid these sins in kids soccer drills at all costs. If you would like to know more about what the positive and negative traits of a coach are, join our youth soccer coaching community. You will be surprised by how big an improvement you can make by your decision.
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 Training Drills.