Soccer Tricks - Working with preschoolers
There are a few basic soccer tricks to remember when working with preschool age players. Most young players participate in recreational games with practice once a week. (Always consult the local age-group advisor to discuss what the coach is expected to teach.)
Coaching soccer tricks #1; Have fun, and your players will have fun. Coaching preschoolers is a lot of fun, any one willing to coach, no matter their skills will do fine. The main role as coach is to keep them from getting hurt, and to keep them moving. Recreational coaches are ideally parent volunteers.
Coaching soccer tricks# 2; It is very important for each player on your team to have their own ball at practice. Ask the parent to write the child’s name on the ball they bring, and always have extras on hand. Your goal should be to have each preschooler doing something with a ball for at least 50% of the practice.
Coaching soccer tricks #3; Use positive motivation only. Don’t make any child leave the game who has tried their best but still lost. Try not to add the pressure of having losers leave the game. Performance will improve with time.
Coaching soccer tricks #4; Remember that most practice games are “self-teaching”. Players will learn by simply playing the game. Just keeping them active and having fun is enough to teach important skills and concepts.
Coaching soccer tricks #5; Have your players dribble and kick the ball a lot so they get used to using their feet. Don’t expect young players to become great at kicking the ball, concentrate on trying to get them to start kicking with the inside of the foot. This will improve the distance of the kick.
As the players are learning and improving throughout the season, there are some other soccer tricks you can start to teach. First, have them work on dribbling and shielding the ball. Work on this before moving on. Then teach them not to run all over the field, but stay within an assigned area that you pick. The concept of a ‘field’ may also need to be taught. ( either outline with lines or cones) The next soccer tricks to teach are;
Get them familiar with the basic idea of players who play in different areas of the field are called different positions. Work with them on control. Not to use their hands, not tripping others, holding, pushing, or hitting other players. Last, encourage teamwork, passing, getting open for a pass, keep movement constant when on the offence.