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re: Signed up to coach my kids U8 soccer. Any advice is appreciated.
Posted on 2/9/19 at 8:55 pm to Stingy
Posted on 2/9/19 at 8:55 pm to Stingy
Good luck. Most kids at that level are still grasping the basics and fundamentals. You'll have a couple that are naturals but a lot of them don't get it yet and some won't ever get it. Had the most success by tricking the kids into doing drills without them even realizing it. There's a ton of info online about basic drills for youth soccer fundamentals and how you can make those into little mini games that will keep the kids focused and interested. Keep them occupied but keep it fun and build up their fundamentals. You can run them to death and be coach ditka later.
They'll try and bunch up. Got to work on spacing and keeping position on the field. It takes a lot of time but it's worth it.
Don't forget to practice set plays corner kicks, goal kicks, penalty kicks (most U8 leauges all pks except shootouts are indirect kicks). Too many teams forget to practice these they screw them up horribly and then they get destroyed on quick turnarounds.
They'll try and bunch up. Got to work on spacing and keeping position on the field. It takes a lot of time but it's worth it.
Don't forget to practice set plays corner kicks, goal kicks, penalty kicks (most U8 leauges all pks except shootouts are indirect kicks). Too many teams forget to practice these they screw them up horribly and then they get destroyed on quick turnarounds.
Posted on 2/9/19 at 9:20 pm to Stingy
Your job is to make sure they have fun and want to come back to the next practice. You will have one or two that have “it”, four or five that are ok but not great and one or two that can barely walk. Make sure they feel good about who they are and not who they are not.
Think of it like this: Nothing you say or do will turn them into a world class soccer player but (if you are a Dick) what you say or do can make them never want to play again.
Think of it like this: Nothing you say or do will turn them into a world class soccer player but (if you are a Dick) what you say or do can make them never want to play again.
This post was edited on 2/9/19 at 9:22 pm
Posted on 2/9/19 at 9:27 pm to Stingy
Drills first 30 min, scrimmage last 30. For the drills every kid should have a ball. No drills where kids stand in a line, always moving with a ball. For the scrimmage just play 1/2 field and rotate offense/defense. Spend most of your time teaching them to spread out. If you can get that to click with at least 2 kids you will dominate the league at that age
Posted on 2/9/19 at 10:01 pm to Stingy
Just watch the Lady Tiger’s Softball team play and watch Shemiah Sanchez’s brother in the stands right behind home plate. He is full of coaching.......
Posted on 2/9/19 at 10:03 pm to Stingy
6-7 is fun. They actually are coachable at that age.
Posted on 2/9/19 at 10:26 pm to geauxnc0308
quote:
No drills where kids stand in a line, always moving with a ball
This cannot be stated enough.
Posted on 2/9/19 at 10:32 pm to Stingy
quote:
I coached my son's baseball team a couple of years ago but I know very little about soccer. I'll be coaching my 6 and 7 yo's team.
Just what youth sports needs; yet another coach that doesn't know shite about the sport he's coaching.
Posted on 2/9/19 at 10:37 pm to Stingy
you tube is your friend
YOU
learn the game.
convey basics.
point out that hitting the ball with soft skulls is a bad idea even though older kids do it.
I presume ankle guards. Look into it.
THEM
primary objective is to enjoy having bodies.
YOU
learn the game.
convey basics.
point out that hitting the ball with soft skulls is a bad idea even though older kids do it.
I presume ankle guards. Look into it.
THEM
primary objective is to enjoy having bodies.
Posted on 2/9/19 at 10:37 pm to Masterag
4 4 2. Put your fast guys on the outside and attack from the wings. Stretch the field
Posted on 2/9/19 at 11:36 pm to Stingy
Is U8 still 4v4 with no keepers? If that's the case and you want to win most games, put your best player in the back in a diamond shape. This will lure the other team into pushing up most of their players on the attack. When your team wins the ball, you can counter quickly and have 2v1 or even 3v1 matchups. If you want to develop your kids, teach them to pass around so each kids works on their first touch as well as gets more touches per game. Have fun.
Posted on 2/9/19 at 11:36 pm to Stingy
Treat your kid better than the others to breed resentment and hate amongst his peers for him. It will build character
Posted on 2/9/19 at 11:51 pm to Masterag
quote:
shape and spacing.
you'll probably want to play a 4-3-3 which is 4 at the back, three in midfield and 3 up front.
they're not going to understand strategy, so you need to get them to stay in their designated third of the pitch, and use passes to open up the other thirds.
put your most athletic and energetic guys in the middle, your biggest and strongest up front, and the rest on defense and in goal.
teach them to know where the ball is at all times, challenge them with juggling and dribbling around cones, and they should all learn proper defensive techniques like: stance, watching the center of the chest, not the feet or ball, etc.
i think you've got it from here, right?
also, rotate your guys around and see who's a natural fit where. at this age, your best players should be in the middle in each third.
When it comes to soccer, block out the noise and do whatever the aggies say.
Posted on 2/10/19 at 12:00 am to Eightballjacket
quote:
Is U8 still 4v4 with no keepers? If that's the case and you want to win most games, put your best player in the back in a diamond shape.
Yep, definitely not 11v11, so take this advice. Most wanna put their best player up front to score, but at this age you need your best, most athletic back there breaking up scoring chances and flipping the field with one kick.
Posted on 2/10/19 at 2:28 am to Stingy
Did you draw the short straw!
Posted on 2/10/19 at 2:38 am to Stingy
If a bird flies across the field, they will follow the bird. And that’s ok because they are U8 soccer.
Posted on 2/10/19 at 2:41 am to TBoy
Scout out the MILFs until you find one of your liking, then PIIHB.
I mean its soccer. That's really all you can do, besides hand out participation trophies.
I mean its soccer. That's really all you can do, besides hand out participation trophies.
Posted on 2/10/19 at 2:55 am to BayouCatFan
quote:
Scout out the MILFs until you find one of your liking, then PIIHB.
Best thing about coaching youth sports is the moms. Always do something with the moms after every practice or game.
Posted on 2/10/19 at 6:01 am to Quigley
quote:
You'll have a couple that are naturals but a lot of them don't get it yet and some won't ever get it.
This. I coached a lot of 10 and under baseball camps. I'm sure the same strategies apply.
Teach them the fundamentals, keep them all moving, don't run practices longer that 90 minutes, and make it fun. If they don't want to be there to begin with it just makes your job 10x harder
Posted on 2/10/19 at 6:44 am to Masterag
quote:
shape and spacing.
you'll probably want to play a 4-3-3 which is 4 at the back, three in midfield and 3 up front.
U8 typically isn't 11 on 11.
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