Youth Soccer Advice | Aspects of the game

Soccer is a game of skill.  It is no different from any other sport in that these skills literally take hundreds of hours to develop and refine during training and practice.

• There are no short cut methods, magic formulas or exercises which produce skillful players.  It takes years.
• The unskilled player can still play soccer, however, because their efforts to meet the demands of a contest will seem to be based more on luck and chance instead of intentions, it will more likely be a frustrating experience.  As a result, skilled players find more enjoyment from the game because they have a sense that their actions are affecting the outcome of the contest.  They have a greater feeling of control.
• The player must also find a certain level of enjoyment during practice in order for their skill to develop fully.
• The methods used in this course are currently accepted means of developing players throughout the world.  They emphasize the use of small sided games which focus the challenges of the real game into a concentrated environment where the challenges can be met again and again.
•  The game is the best teacher and the ball the prime motivator. Enjoyment is found in the competitive nature of the game. Everyone has a chance to win every time out.  Therefore, the burden for motivation is lifted from the coach's shoulders. The less the coach talks, the better it is.
• "Drills" in which players wait around in lines only to repeat a predetermined action, without any decision making demands, quickly produce bored players.
•  Hopefully some of the games and ideas found in this manual will inspire you to create an exciting environment for your players.  One that will draw them magically back each session.