Youth Soccer
'World Cup Sunday' For Youth Soccer

For interest of sharing ideas...
I coach a practice youth soccer League (for lack of a better word) on Sunday's 2:00 It's open to all ages, but mainly we have 10 to 13 year olds. They often ask, and we encourage them to invite friends out to play. The numbers have steadily grown. (No Money no fees')

The Practice:

A. Warm-up (small jog with ball)

B. Stretch (Lead by youth soccer players, with just a little guidance by me when necessary)

C. 1 v 1 game (They run this, on there own) (with an occasional coaching points from me)

D. Then I run a small sided game with the youth soccer players to introduce a new skill.

E. Then the youth soccer players, play soccer, no restrictions.

Right after the small sided game, or before practice. I have been thinking of adding, show and tell and/or a juggling contest, Or a color award system for skill progression i.e. blue ribbon for ten consecutive juggles, red ribbon when you can push pass/shoot and hit five cones from 12 yards, and so on... or a soccer degree when they achieve a certain number of these goals. I will experimenting with this. Actually if you know any one using a system along these lines, I would love to see it. Why reinvent the Wheel.

I want to encourage any program that may motivates them to play and/or practice during the week, on their own.

Any and all suggestion would be appreciated. Send your suggestions to this web page: www.fundamentalsoccer.com

Just another great idea - A Free Sunday Play Day!

Here are some ideas for you to think about...

First, change the title of your Sunday get together - using the word Practice - I think you get the idea... Maybe you can call it, 'World Cup Sunday at Name of Location'

Second, You may want to follow the 'Routine' that has been soooo successful with coaches who have had the courage to use it...

A. Begin Session - socialize, cover plans for the day, etc...

B. Warm-up - FUN game - with occasional stops for some light stretching

C. One + One - where 'cooperate' to learn something new

D. One vs. One - where players 'compete' and test to see what they have learned

E. Half-time - water, socialize, etc...

F. Teaching game - Small sided games with rules

G. Free game - No restrictions

H. Cool Down - Physical time to bring body back to normal

I. End Session -Compliments and Invitation to return next week

Final Thoughts...
-Show & Tell is wonderful!
-Juggling Contests are Great!
-Skill Progression is very useful!

But, I discourage the use of rewards for their personal progress. I believe that the reward for working hard should be the improvement of the individual. I am sure you have read the papers lately and the kinds of $$$ our top athletes are making - Do you believe they are still playing for the love of the game or the $$$. Why should we begin this habit in the younger ages?