First time soccer coach

Pass it to the Italians

Youtube. There are tons of vids and full practice plans. Assuming this isn't a top level league since a first year coach is taking the U12's I would keep it simple/basic. No matter what, the more time the players have getting touches on the ball the better. You don't want everyone standing around while you're explaining a bunch of tactics or whatever.

Enjoy!

Like The Mick and TN Bhoy have said (I can't believe I'm agreeing with TN Bhoy), focus on the basics on the game first. Passing, dribbling, shooting, and fitness. Developing the players' touch (ability to trap and control the ball well) is important all over the field and it translates to virtually every part of the game. In my opinion, spacing, positioning (the advanced stuff, not just "you play defense, you play midfield, you play forward, etc."), tactics, etc., are things better learned secondarily for 12 year olds, especially if the basic skills are lacking.

As Mick said, youtube has tons of videos to help get an idea for drills and practice. Enough soccer balls for each player, a couple of goals, some cones, bibs (the mini-jersey things), and a whistle should be all you need to get started.

Encouraging the kids to play when they're NOT at practice is the best thing you should encourage. 4-5 hours a week of playing soccer while at practice won't be nearly enough to increase their skill if any of the kids want to play later in life. They need to touch the ball every day.

Good luck!

Yeah, I played all throughout my youth and also in local adult leagues within last few years.

I just never paid particular attention to the coaching aspect of it, the drills we ran, technique, etc...

that link helps alot

I like that. Thanks for the heads up!

The most important quality for kids that age is calmness with the ball at their feet. It's tempting to just play kickball up and down the field, but a team full of midfielders who don't give the ball away is unstoppable.

Bookmarked because I am thinking about returning to coaching as my playing days are numbered.

Great plans here for full seasons of practice.

LINK

All current resources say to spend the final 1/4 or 1/3 of your practice is a true game situation. Dont just run drills the entire time.

No lines, make sure everyone brings a ball to practice if you don't have enough to go around. Idle 12 yo boys are hard to handle, keep them busy.

It's not as easy as it looks. I was coaching 5 year olds in a non-soccer town and was worried I was wasting time that could have been used to develop them.
I wouldn't want to try coaching 12 year olds as my first soccer coaching experience.

My advice: bring a lot of balls.