Coaching Youth Soccer

Just like a timetable is made for a specified time, drawing a soccer field diagram to train the kids on various positions and soccer formations helps in it’s smooth functioning. It’s better to make the young kids between 4 to 6 years in age play in small sided soccer like a 3 v 3 or a 4 v 4 without any goalies.

Then move to a 5 v 5 including a goalkeeper as the kids mature. There are a lot of advantages. They enjoy the game more, have maximum touch possible with the ball and learn the concepts better.

This is a tender age when the kids are almost learning to pass and control the ball. Also start coaching them on various formations and positions. It is a good time to designate players as forwards and defenders. You must also make it a point that they reach their positions to the greatest degree.

One day in future the number of players will enhance consistent with the size of the field. At that time, creating formations will be a bit problematic. But you should still assign positions to the players and ensure that the kids are doing justice to those positions.

Soccer formation

As soon as you decide the formations, it is time to discuss these with the players. Make them understand the concept behind it and also why you think a certain player is better suited in a single position than anyone else. This is where the soccer field diagram helps the most. The kids get to learn fast by looking at visual demonstrations. Also, there are players who learn better on field by way of observing to while performing drills or by going through the written text.

There are some general guidelines or soccer tactics that must be followed with every position; such as responsibilities of defenders, midfielders, and forwards. These instructions are the foundation of a 2-2-2 formation in a 7 v 7 game. These commands are generic in nature but you can change them to suit your team.

For example, you can have 3 midfielders in place of 2. You may use your center midfielder to attack furiously on offence or require that he marks the opponent midfielders on defense. You may want your wing defenders to take all throw-ins. There can be a lot of differences.

Other than the diagram, you should attempt to write down your thoughts. This gives the players a chance to read through your plan and instructions in writing and they understand it better that way. The parents can also go through the document and visualize your goals for the players and the team as a whole.

Teach soccer positions with the help of field diagrams doesn’t matter what else you choose to do. It is a great tool in your hands that can save you a lot of time and energy in explaining formations.

What’s stopping you then? Make a start and coach your players on different soccer positions and formations on the field using soccer field diagram. Our youth soccer coaching community is full of such useful knowledge on youth soccer. Join now to gain from all the benefits.

Andre Botelho is known online as “The Expert Youth Soccer Coach” and his free ebooks and reports have been downloaded more than 100,000 times. Learn how to skyrocket your players’ skills and make practice sessions fun in record time. Download your free ebook at: Soccer Coaching.

Ever wondered that a soccer field diagram can be of immense help in case of devising practice sessions? The fact that the plans for the subsequent training season need to be documented has already been talked about. It gives a lot of flexibility in terms of making any changes in the plan as and when required.

When you decide soccer formations for your players, make it a point that they already have full knowledge about the soccer field along with its different dimensions.

First, you must, as a coach decide the agenda for the training session. When you’re doing this, ensure that it takes into consideration what should be taught, where, and when? You also need to identify the suitable methods and skills that the players must be trained on once you’ve zeroed down on what needs to be taught.

The place on the field where you wish to take the session should be earmarked. You also need to identify and note the basis that made you select this particular skill for players. Its latent benefits and value could be one of the reasons. If you also document the incident when this particular skill will be employed, it’ll be even more helpful.

Soccer Formations

A practice plan should also mention the exact methodology that a specific technique would employ. When all this has been taken care of, draw all these things on the soccer field diagram. This diagram should depict the goal box, penalty box, the end line, and the arcs where the flags are placed along with the centerline and circle.

After that, you need to decide about the practice gear needed for the soccer positions. All players should be given a ball now. Tell every player to get his own ball. Also, they should bring their water bottles to the field.

Use the cones to earmark the areas on the field. These are also helpful in classifying various soccer drills. The players should also be made to wear practice vests that protect them and also make the players distinct from each other.

And then it is about using the goal boxes. It is a widely accepted fact in soccer tactics that use of real goals during practice sessions helps the players identify with real situations. Also, using the flags is recommended as it helps in scrimmages. Also organize a medical kit with sufficient supplies for use in emergencies.

Finally, keep a lot of refreshment snacks ready. Ice cubes will also be required and therefore a cooler to store the cubes. It is recommended that you also have access to a phone which will prove useful in seeking help in medical situations.

Your next step! To take what you’ve just learned and draw a soccer field diagram. Then you must design a practice session in sync with it. Our youth soccer coaching community boasts of a range of soccer resources for your and your player’s benefit.

We also keep updating our database with new articles and videos for the youth soccer coaches. Enroll today and enjoy the benefits.

Andre Botelho is a recognized expert in youth soccer coaching. He influences well over 35,000 youth coaches each year with his unique coaching philosophy, and makes it really easy to explode your players’ skills and make training more fun in record time. To download your free youth soccer coaching guide visit: Soccer field diagram.