If you sport the same attitude like I do, you’ll have absolutely not problem getting to understand the value of soccer practice games when compared with drills. To begin with the kids must concentrate only on learning the skills and then improving upon their consistent movement with the ball. But there are certain points that you must check when they advance in their soccer training.
As has already been talked about earlier, kids get an opportunity to develop their own special playing style with having fun when divided into groups. First and foremost, the kids must get the freedom to decide on various issues concerning them and this is possible only when the size of the group is small.
This way your kids find a lot of open space to move in the field, get to touch the ball many more times, and feel responsible for their decisions as the number of players in quite less in the group.
On the contrary, when the kids adapt to playing in groups with few players and also improve on their skills, introduce some variants. Bring in progressions in soccer practice games at this point in time. What it implies is that you should add more players, the rules should be made stricter, and the games be played in larger fields. More intricate strategies should now be introduced that not only work upon improving the player’s talents but also achieve team’s broader objectives.
There is something here that needs special mention. Many coaches go wrong when they teach too many things too soon to their kids in the anticipation of preparing them well in advance. Please remember that shortcuts don’t work here. You just cannot mechanize the process like in soccer drills. Kids should progress naturally with time.
The objectives may not be met if you rush with things, make a lot of rules, and expose kids to a lot of knowledge soon enough. This obstructs their process of learning and growth.
As the kids make a transition from small groups to large ones, they should instill in themselves a sense of camaraderie. It is vital to understand this change from developing your own skills to using these skills to make the team win.
In this period, along with games, you must also encourage free dialog with your team. Keep in mind that the players now understand the game and its techniques. Hence, it is an error of judgment to doubt their abilities in soccer exercises.
When you invite them to share their views, they feel good about it and become more responsible.
The games should now make them think out of the box to win matches. When they start thinking like team players while playing games, you would have done your job well.
Now you must take this knowledge and incorporate it in your plan. Soccer practice games are essential for making the kids learn naturally and so you must be very creative in selecting them. sJoin our youth soccer coaching community to gain more knowledge on such games and strategies.
Andre Botelho is known online as “The Expert Youth Soccer Coach” and his free ebooks and reports have been downloaded more than 100,000 times. Learn how to skyrocket your players’ skills and make practice sessions fun in record time. Download your free ebook at: Soccer Practice.
Tags: soccer drills, soccer exercises, Soccer practice games, soccer training