Who would have believed this stuff would work this well. I am coaching under 9 boys. I learned nothing about teaching formations or positions, let alone any actual plays. They had the kids doing figure 8's around cones. The kids hated it and it was hard to teach. The kids weren't learning.
The kids can't get enough of it. Neither can I. It is a lot more fun playing and coaching when the team wins. The kids do not want to come off the field when I sub them.
This is what I have used that has been very helpful. Fight for the ball. My kids were stealing the ball.
I am playing the kids in the position I feel will help most. It was very helpful to learn how to assign positions. We play "Dribble Across A Square Game" to start each practice. The kids love it. Then we move on to "Dribble Around Cone and Back Relay Race", followed by the "Dribble, Turn and Shoot Race", first team to 10 goals wins. The kids love the competition.
We have played "Pass to Space, Run With Ball and Shoot" game. This teaches two important things. Pass to space, not players feet, and run with the ball, don't stop it. I make this a relay race also, they love it.
Even though it may be a bit advanced, I have played "3 Man Direct, Wing Attacking Game". This teaches the players to go to the goal, and to center the ball. Great.
The "Corner Kick Simulation" game is very good. I had them play until the attackers scored, or the defenders cleared the ball to the side.
I have shied away from "2 Team Keep Away" because last year I tried a version of it and all I had was a big pile of kids kicking at the ball. I will try again.
I plan to try "Kick Balls Onto Other Field" and "Pass It Through Game".
I have one question. All the kids want to play Forward now, since we are scoring so much, and the fullbacks don't get very much action. I am rotating each kid in to forward. Any thing I can tell the kids besides "It is a team effort"? They all want the glory.
It is great to have confidence in my team.
