| If your are coaching soccer for kids and are | | | | focus on specific techniques and skills. |
| wondering what to do during your next practice or | | | | 6) Kids like to play soccer. They are more fun and |
| training session consider this. Coaching soccer for kids | | | | more enjoyable then standing in line waiting to perform |
| using small sided games is one of the most effective | | | | drills. |
| components of a practice or training session. We all | | | | Traditional soccer drills are also important, in fact, drills |
| know that the best teacher of soccer is actually the | | | | are essential for establishing the basic groundwork for |
| game itself, and since we are not always able to play | | | | the fundamental skills needed to play soccer, however, |
| full sided games, we can use small sided games to | | | | small sided games provide a better opportunity for |
| simulate real game situations. | | | | young players to learn to play soccer for the reasons |
| The benefits of using small sided games to teach your | | | | listed above. |
| kids the game of soccer are many. Some of the | | | | If you are coaching soccer for kids, consider focusing |
| benefits are as follows: | | | | on and incorporating small sided games more than drills |
| 1) Allows players to touch the ball more often, | | | | into your practices or training sessions. Not only will the |
| therefore, developing individual skills more quickly. | | | | kids enjoy practice more, but it will also take some of |
| 2) Players get more opportunities to play on both sides | | | | the stress off of you as a coach by allowing you to |
| of the ball allowing them to learn the tactical skills of | | | | watch these games and determine which skills your |
| offense and defense. | | | | players are lacking. Once this is determined, you can |
| 3) Players get more time to actually play the game. | | | | use or recommend some drills to your players that will |
| 4) They force players to respond to game like | | | | help improve these skills, or, with a little creativity, you |
| situations. | | | | could even incorporate some drills into your small sided |
| 5) Coaches can easily change the game, or run | | | | games. Give it a try. |
| several games simultaneously, to emphasize and | | | | |