TweetI'm looking for some pointers on what to expect, what to focus on, simple drills, etc. on how to coach a 5 year old soccer team.

Don't worry about oversimplifying anything - I don't know much about what to expect or do. I'm doing this to help my son feel more comfortable playing organized sports, so state the obvious please.

Tweetcarry a belt and look mad...other than that, i got nothing!


oh....set the mood with the parents first!! dude...i'm stone cold serious!!! let them know that your not gonna put up with any of their horseshyt! and if they plan on being overly vocal, and feel they want your job, please remove their child from the area and volunteer next year!!! oue football coach did that becouse of the prob's they had last year and this year, there's only been 1 incident in 3 games!!! (he claims that, thats about 1/10th of what it was last year)

Tweet

Originally Posted by Klash

I'm looking for some pointers on what to expect, what to focus on, simple drills, etc. on how to coach a 5 year old soccer team.

Don't worry about oversimplifying anything - I don't know much about what to expect or do. I'm doing this to help my son feel more comfortable playing organized sports, so state the obvious please.

Finally something right up my alley!!! Woohoo!!! I have 4 kids, they all play or have played soccer, from the 2 year old up to the 17 yrs old!!
Okay - some great drills - hula hoops, lay them on the ground and have the kids run AROUND them.....builds great manuvering skills.
Get little balls and little cones. Do the ice cream drill. Have them balance a ball in the cone and go from one end of the field to the other....helps them focus on the ball.
Bubbles - they are great - get a big bottle and do one drill where the kids try to hit them with their heads....make sure they are spread out, then do another drill where they stomp them. Kids love bubbles - save that one until the end.
Noodles for the pool - they are excellent and cheap. Place them each about 2 feet apart. Have the kids hop over them, come around and do it again. Then have them use the noodle to move the ball around. Again, helps them focus on the ball. You want to get them out of the mob mentality and by providing each kid their own ball in the beginning helps them develop individual skills.
Another great one is the good ole trusty parachute from back in the day. Excellent team builder. Put one of the balls on top of the parachute and have them do popcorn. Kids love that one too!
After you have done individual events, split them up into teams of 2. Have each team work together on passing. Just start them out passing back and forth about 7-10 feet apart. Trying to get a group of 5 yr olds passing is crazy. This way you can get an idea of individual skills and move towards team play. Set up the little cones as goals for each team of 2. Have them go from one end to the other while you and your assistant (if you have one) moves from group to group trying to block them. Helps to build their confidence if they can get by you.
Do they have goalies at this age in your league? No one wants to play the goalie - trust me on this one. You need a bribe - get a really cool, colorful jersey and some gloves. All the kids are going to want to look cool - works every time.
I hope this helps....let me know if you need anything else!

Tweet

Originally Posted by quirkysmilin

Finally something right up my alley!!! Woohoo!!! I have 4 kids, they all play or have played soccer, from the 2 year old up to the 17 yrs old!!
Okay - some great drills - hula hoops, lay them on the ground and have the kids run AROUND them.....builds great manuvering skills.
Get little balls and little cones. Do the ice cream drill. Have them balance a ball in the cone and go from one end of the field to the other....helps them focus on the ball.
Bubbles - they are great - get a big bottle and do one drill where the kids try to hit them with their heads....make sure they are spread out, then do another drill where they stomp them. Kids love bubbles - save that one until the end.
Noodles for the pool - they are excellent and cheap. Place them each about 2 feet apart. Have the kids hop over them, come around and do it again. Then have them use the noodle to move the ball around. Again, helps them focus on the ball. You want to get them out of the mob mentality and by providing each kid their own ball in the beginning helps them develop individual skills.
Another great one is the good ole trusty parachute from back in the day. Excellent team builder. Put one of the balls on top of the parachute and have them do popcorn. Kids love that one too!
After you have done individual events, split them up into teams of 2. Have each team work together on passing. Just start them out passing back and forth about 7-10 feet apart. Trying to get a group of 5 yr olds passing is crazy. This way you can get an idea of individual skills and move towards team play. Set up the little cones as goals for each team of 2. Have them go from one end to the other while you and your assistant (if you have one) moves from group to group trying to block them. Helps to build their confidence if they can get by you.
Do they have goalies at this age in your league? No one wants to play the goalie - trust me on this one. You need a bribe - get a really cool, colorful jersey and some gloves. All the kids are going to want to look cool - works every time.
I hope this helps....let me know if you need anything else!

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to quirkysmilin again.

Thanks quirky!!! So, work on forming a "team" mentality with group play and individualize or pair up for skills.

I really appreciate the information and examples, more than you know.

Originally Posted by daved150

carry a belt and look mad...other than that, i got nothing!


oh....set the mood with the parents first!! dude...i'm stone cold serious!!! let them know that your not gonna put up with any of their horseshyt! and if they plan on being overly vocal, and feel they want your job, please remove their child from the area and volunteer next year!!! oue football coach did that becouse of the prob's they had last year and this year, there's only been 1 incident in 3 games!!! (he claims that, thats about 1/10th of what it was last year)

Yeah, i totally agree with that. Hopefully, I won't have any a$$hole parents.

Tweet[QUOTE=Klash;859760]You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to quirkysmilin again.

Thanks quirky!!! So, work on forming a "team" mentality with group play and individualize or pair up for skills.

I really appreciate the information and examples, more than you know.

Do the individualized first - for alot of these kids, it will be their first exposure to team sports. Get out of the "team" mentality for the first few practices. Let them have fun with the ball using some of the drills I told you about. If cost is an issue for any of it, get the bubbles....they go a long way and the kids get a real hoot out of them. Make sure you assign a team mom, a medic mom and get your schedule with snacks assigned quick. Parents appreciate the organized coach. Oh - a get your team mom working on some sort of medal or trophy now. It will pay off in the end. I have some great sites if you need them. As for the parents, if your league is like ours, that wont be a problem.

Tweet^Not really sure what you mean by speading reputation - sorry

TweetNo idea! but one of my player his father used to play for the Italian national team, played pro division 1 and the dum****es here asked him to have a coaching certification before he coach

Tweet

Originally Posted by 3Vandoo

No idea! but one of my player his father used to play for the Italian national team, played pro division 1 and the dum****es here asked him to have a coaching certification before he coach

My mom works for the states youth soccer association and it is required by the state. Has nothing to do with his prior playing experience, its just legal crap. Opposite side of the coin - wouldnt you want your coach certified?

TweetPATIENCE MAN AND MAKE SURE EVERY KID GETS A TURN

Tweetyeah but a dude who won one world cup, played pro for 10 years and Italian

compared to a dude who never played but did a weekend in class

oh well