Five Easy Games for Soccer Coaches

You have a great training session all planned out, yet there's just one problem: your kids are not interested. In fact, they would rather chat, shoot on goal or juggle the ball. Guess what? That's okay, you can make it through the practice, in spite of the team's insolence.

5 - Set up three cones 30 yards from the touchline and for a warm-up ask them to juggle the ball from touch to the cones and back for five minutes. At first they are going to look at you as though you are the Antichrist but as long as you are patient they will try. And they will be hooked: this exercise teaches focus, technique and balance. And it's challenging, though it's not overly difficult. For younger players under age 11, ask them to have a juggling contest against each other. Last one juggling is the winner.

4 - Play a game of 4 v. 4 w/ no GK's on a field 30 yards wide by 40 yards long to two regular-sized goals. This game is a staple of the Dutch style of play and is so easy that even beginners can have success. Here's the deal: play the teams of four in a 1-2-1, that is, 1 back, 2 middle and 1 up front in a diamond shape. You will be amazed at the combinations the kids put together and regardless of age they will all get involved in the attack and defend. Why? Because there are no goalkeepers! Lots of goals are scored. And frankly, there is really only one thing you need to tell the kids: score. I've even seen kids ages 8-9 have success.

3 - King of The 18 - No game works on finishing shots quite like this variation of King. At each goalpost line up one team. The coach kicks a ball past the 18-yard line of the penalty box. From there the players at the front of the line play 1 v. 1 and try to retrieve the ball. The player with possession then has to turn the ball back towards goal, beat his defender and score. The game continues to a set score (the coach can determine what that is). This game teaches all of the skills and also works on defense. It's a great warm-up with younger age groups and they love it.

2 - Question: what games work on heading AND spacing? Question #2: Did you ever think a soccer exercise would so closely mirror basketball? Well, you're in luck. There is such a game, and the beauty of it is that it's so simple. Play team handball in a 30 yards wide x 40 yards long area to two small goals with as many players on a team as you'd like, with the stipulation that the ball must not touch the ground. If it does possession goes to the other team. The way is score is to have your teammate toss the ball to you as you head it in the goal! This game teaches spacing, defense, attacking AND heading.

1 - World Cup game. There are few training games that teach almost all of the skills required to play. This is one, encompassing attacking, defending, dribbling, passing, shooting, body position and technique. And the game is simple: In a penalty area one player tries to score a goal and all of the other players are trying to prevent him or her from scoring. Each player picks a country and let the battle begin! The great thing about this game is that it doesn't matter how many players you have; you can play in teams of one, two, three or even four! In fact, to increase the difficulty you can have the goal-scorers play goalkeeper. It gets really fun when you have to shoot on and beat four goalkeepers standing sentry in a regular-sized goal.

For added fun, set up a 20 x 20 grid (or larger, depending on numbers) and play soccer tennis, a staple of training sessions the world over. It's simple; set up two flags partway between the grid and tie a string four feet high between each of the flags. Place two teams of equal numbers on each side of the string and play! This is a favorite of my older players and it's challenging, teaching volleying skills, which become important in later years. But the younger ones love it too, for it teaches heading and balance.

Whatever way you choose to avoid burnout with your youth club team, make it fun and enjoyable and let the players play!

Disclaimer: The author holds a USSF National soccer coaching license and is a sports reporter. He currently is the Technical Director for the ROOTS For Soccer Foundation, a not-for-profit organization in Salt Lake City helping at-risk youth develop life skills through their participation in youth soccer and community outreach services.