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re: First time soccer coach

Posted on 2/12/15 at 5:54 pm to
Posted by tiggah1981
Winterfell
Member since Aug 2007
17044 posts
Posted on 2/12/15 at 5:54 pm to
Its rec, but im really not sure on the talent level...it's a 8 vs 8 goalie included. I hear it's a pretty competitive league so who knows...kids will probaly coach themselves
Posted by rockchlkjayhku11
Cincinnati, OH
Member since Aug 2006
36454 posts
Posted on 2/12/15 at 8:04 pm to
I coached a 12 year old rec team last season. They are gonna suck because if you are playing rec at age 12, you suck. Maybe an exception or two but it won't be great soccer.

That said, just work on something different every practice. Some basic skill or tactic. It might be finishing with your laces or inside of foot instead of with your toe. It might be "switching the point of attack." It might be fricking passing on day one.

Start off by teaching the skill. Lock your ankle, chest over ball, etc...Demonstrate if you can. Then run a drill or two to practice the skill. "Shoot" with a partner (basically passing but using shooting form) or set up cones in the corners of the goal to aim for and run lines. Any kind of drill you think of for the skill. If you have lines, Keep the lines moving and have every kid with a ball at their feet. Limit standing and waiting in line. This might mean two short lines on separate goals or something but avoid waiting however possible. Any time you see someone use their toe or incorrectly execute the skill being taught, use it as a teaching moment. Stop the drill a time or two to expand on the skill and correct mistakes or even introduce a further step kids can try if they are comfortable with the basics.

Next, move to a game incorporating the skill. Two teams and you get points for hitting the corner using your laces or some shite. Three points if it hits the net in the air above the knee. Play "power and finesse" or similar shooting games.

Finally, play. Whether it's small sided or whatever, play regular soccer with a bonus incentive for finishing with your laces or hitting the net in the air or something. Incentivize the skill or tactic that was taught that day.

That was long winded but basically
1. Teach a skill or tactic
2. Practice skill using drills or structured exercise
3. Practice skill using a fun game/have a winner
4. Play while incentivizing skill

Couple that with a warm up and water breaks and shite and you got yourself a practice template. You probably need to throw in some work for shite like set pieces but honestly they will be terrible at those regardless so it's not worth much time. Maybe set up a fun corner kick and some general direction for goal kicks, free kicks, etc...Don't do fitness with a 12 year old rec team. That's horse shite.
This post was edited on 2/12/15 at 8:06 pm
Posted by Methuselah
On da Riva
Member since Jan 2005
23350 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 3:47 am to
quote:

My advice: bring a lot of balls.


This: As The Mick and others have said, avoid the old "10 kids stand around while 2 do a drill" situation that a lot of inexperienced coaches fall into.

Best site I found as a novice youth soccer coach:

Soccer Help

Oh, and if I were you, I'd do a little online research on handling sports parents. Addressed pro-actively and early they can be an incredible resource. Left to their own devices, they can ruin the experience for the kids.
Posted by SoulGlo
Shinin' Through
Member since Dec 2011
17248 posts
Posted on 2/14/15 at 7:14 am to
quote:

They are gonna suck because if you are playing rec at age 12, you suck


This. Really, keeping them occupied and having fun will be the key here.
Posted by matthew25
Member since Jun 2012
9425 posts
Posted on 2/15/15 at 12:15 am to
Find a 16-year old kid who can demonstrate. He will also help keep the players interested.
Posted by KosmoCramer
Member since Dec 2007
76526 posts
Posted on 2/15/15 at 1:04 am to
Read: The Double Goal Coach.

I coached an 8th grade volleyball team at nationals with this approach, have coached JV and Varsity with it as well. By the time the 8th graders were seniors, we won the state championship.

It helps a lot with handling parents and expectations.

The parent contract included may look hokie and dumb but it comes in handy especially for U-12 parents I'm sure.
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