Coach Karl,
Help I coach 4 and 5 year olds. It is really hard to keep their
attention. Can you suggest some drills that I can work with them on?
Lydda
Lydda you do not need any help - what you need is lots of PATIENCE.
It is rather sad that we organize this wonderful sport - at such a young
age.
But, that is not your concern.
However, it would be great if your administrators made every effort to
just organize PLAY DAYS for the children in your age group. That is, have
a Saturday when the children are dropped-off at the playground. Yes, have
the parents go home and enjoy some quality time together - while their
children are outside in a safe environment - PLAYING!
OK, to answer your question. Do not look for any 'drills' to keep these
children active. All soccer players including your 4-5 year olds come to
practice to PLAY! So make your first goal to: KEEP the PLAYERS and the
SOCCER BALL MOVING in other words KEEP THEM ACTIVE - ALL THE TIME!
The formula you should use is: If the players and the balls are moving =
They are learning soccer. If the players or the balls stop moving = Soccer
learning stops! And that is a fact!
Teach them our '9-STEP ROUTINE'. That is, PATIENTLY teach them our 'ROUTINE'.
I
have written other articles that you can find in past magazines on this -
but, let me take the time and give you the flow chart.
Have a Theme - To keep the balls moving and the players active.
1. Begin Practice - by letting the children socialize and tell them the
'practice' rules.
2. Warm-up - Play a FUN game with the soccer ball and (pretend) stretch
at this age.
3. ONE + ONE (Cooperative Play) Have one child 'shadow' the movements of
another
4. ONE vs. ONE (Competitive Play) Teach them 'how to' attack one goal
and defend their own goal.
PATIENTLY Teach them 'how to' play against each other, allow them
to
make their own rules.
5. HALF TIME ROUTINE - Teach them (PATIENTLY) what will happen at
halftime.
-Drink water (no oranges -not enough liquid)
-Socialize and give them compliments (away from Mom & Dad)
6. TEACHING GAME (Cooperative Game) Split them into groups of 3 or 4 vs.
3 or 4.
Talk to them and help them attack and defend the appropriate goal.
7. FREE GAME - Leave them alone and watch them be the best they can be.
Don't get discouraged if some decide to 'stop' and watch the clouds 'go
by.'
8. COOL DOWN - Pretend that they are 'stretching' their muscles - just
like the big players.
9. END PRACTICE - Give them individual praise and let them know of the
next team activity.
Stick to this 'ROUTINE' you will find that as the children begin to
understand what is expected - They will become more and more attentive.
It is just like learning to play a computer game. At first they were
hesitant until they figured out 'hey I can hit these keys as hard and as
many times as I want' and Mom and Dad did not get mad. Also, the computer
game is very slow and simple at the first level - to allow the child to be
successful. With that success and understanding the game increases in
challenge at level two. I'm sure you know the progression after that!
Now here is the real secret - once the child is finished playing the game
(that day) and they come back. Where do they have to start again? Yes,
they need to start again at the very slow (level one). And you realize
that in several weeks they can almost do level one without looking at the
keys or the monitor. That is 'true' understanding and putting the
subconscious into play (but, we are getting rather technical here).
To keep it simple…Make your first goal - to teach the children 'how to'
keep the ball and themselves moving…make sure they eventually go to
attack one goal and also defend their own goal. Teach them the "ROUTINE"
and with lots of PATIENCE you will find your 4-5 year olds actively
PLAYING in your practices.
You Internet coach and friend,
Karl Dewazien
If you keep changing (from game to game) they will not understand what you
want and you cannot build on that... No Understanding = No Learning ...
that is the bottom line!!!
