By the time you finish reading this, you would be convinced that in Soccer practice, games play a more pivotal role in skill building than soccer drills.
Not only are games more stimulating than drills, but the energy required is also the same like in a real tournament.
In relation to soccer training, games command passion, is a source of great fun, and in the process of learning it, kids benefit from various phases of the game.
You must remember the following rules while bringing in games in the training sessions.
1. Every player should have the ball and play with it as much as possible.
2. Make sure each player participates equally in the game.
Ensure that the weak players also get a chance to play with the ball and not be deprived of it.
3. Do away with the idea of rewarding or punishing the kids.
They are not required in relation to the games.
4. Make soccer skill building the heart of your games.
5. Ideally, you should not enforce any rules or limits in a game.
6. The games should be simple to understand and play.
Precious time is wasted when the games are difficult to understand and play.
7. Last of all, it’s a good idea to keep increasing the amount of challenge in the game once they have cleared a certain level.
Each session should include minimum 200-300 touches of the ball for every player in soccer practice.
This activity will guarantee that kids are making progress in building their soccer skills.
Following are a few popular, interesting, and effective soccer coaching games that help in improving the skills of the players.
1. Shoot the coach: This game requires the kids to travel in a crowd while maintaining their head up and attempt to strike the ball into the goal.
It helps improve dribbling and also concentration ability of the player.
One of the great ways is to play the game is to begin with 3 players and add on the number gradually.
2. Freeze Tag: It’s best for doing the warm up sessions and making the kids learn the art of keeping the ball away from the defender.
The game calls for each player to have a ball with the exception of one who must touch and not kick the ball.
When it occurs, the player who has the ball does not move and acts as a goal post.
Only when the other player has hit the ball between frozen player’s legs can that player be de-frozen.
Keep playing till all the players are frozen.
3. Red light, green light: In this, the kids must stand in a queue.
When the coach shouts green light and turns the back towards the ball, the players must move forward with their respective balls before the coach again shouts red light and faces the kids.
If any kid has not moved forward, he is sent back to the starting line.
This is a nice game that builds quickness and focus.
Here you go!
If you would like more information on such soccer practice games, enroll for our youth soccer coaching community.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
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 practice
