How to Coach Soccer for Six Years Old and Under
Basic Rules, Skills and Tips on Coaching a Kids Soccer Team
Jul 4, 2009
Coaching soccer for this age group is really about encouraging physical activity, introducing basic rules and creating a passion for the game of soccer. Those who have never coached should find the rules simple, while those who have played or coached older teams will need to remember to go back to the very basics.
Coaching the Game
One coach is on the field with the kids, instructing them what to do, watching if the ball goes out of play, explaining what happens next, making sure the kids are running in the correct direction and not scoring on their own goal, and basically keeping the kids safe and encouraging them to have fun.
The assistant or co-coach is timing the line changes, making sure the team players not on the field are on the team blanket ready for line changes, is watching the game from another perspective and is able to offer input about a players strengths and weaknesses and who works together better on a line. This is also a good opportunity to encourage the team and have a talk with kids upset about how they played.
Basic Soccer Set Up
Recommendations made by the Canadian Soccer Association:
- Field size is 28m in length by 18m in width
- Goal is 8 ft by 4 ft
- Ball is size #3
- Three versus three players on the field
- No goalkeeper used in the net.
- Runners or soccer shoes are acceptable
- Shin guards must be worn
- Players and coaches shake hands with opposing team at the end of a game
How to Play the Game
Length of play, time of line changes, when to break and for how long, are guidelines. Coaches can agree on what they prefer, but basically:
- Have a short warm up.
- Play the first half for approximately twenty minutes
- Take a ten minute snack break
- Resume game for about twenty more minutes
Alternatively:
- Play eight minutes, have a 2miniute break and play 8 more minutes
- Have a 5 minute break
- Resume play for eight minutes, 2 minute break and play last eight minutes
- Line changes usually every 2-3 minutes
- Goals made are cheered but not kept track of. There are no winners or losers.
- Kicking the ball with the side of the foot, not the toes
- Dribbling the ball, and keeping control of it
- Turning direction with the ball
- Stopping the ball with the ball of their foot on the ball and go right into a kick
- Introduce passing the ball to an open player
Think of playing games, not teaching drills. Kids this age are interested in having fun, not perfecting soccer skills. Encourage practicing by trying games like red light, green light or pretending the coach is the big bad wolf who the players chase and then turns around and chases the players. Click on these links to learn more soccer drills for young players and to gain more information about coaching kids soccer teams.
Tips on Being a Good Coach
- Be friendly, approachable and excited about the players and the game
- Make eye contact and physically get down to kids level
- Make instructions easy and short
- Explain what is happening to enforce the basic rules of soccer
- Praise all players, successes and attempts, at making goals and defending the net
- Encourage parents cheering but try to discourage negative comments
Using these basic rules for playing the game of soccer and finding fun ways of teaching skills, will set the new coach or new to coaching six and under teams, on the right path. Following the tips for being a good coach will make the game more enjoyable for the players, and hopefully be fostering a love for the game of soccer at an early age.
 |
