Soccer Instruction for Kids

During the spring, summer and fall months children like to play soccer. Some of them play for hometown leagues and other play on school teams. Teaching kids to play soccer makes them understand how to work as part of a team, gives them plenty of exercise and also gives them time in the fresh air. The main skills in soccer are dribbling, shooting or controlling the ball, passing and tending the goal. Rotate your players' positions around so each member of the team gets to practice at each skill.

Things You'll Need

  • Soccer ball
  • Goal
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Instructions

    • 1

      Explain the skills necessary for playing soccer to your team: controlling the ball, dribbling the ball, shooting the ball, passing the ball and tending the goal. Give them an example of each, using seasoned players or other coaches.

    • 2

      Teach the kids to dribble the ball, which is moving the ball back and forth between your feet down the field. Show them how to lightly kick the ball from one foot to the other without tripping over the ball. Allow them plenty of time to practice going up and down the field.

    • 3

      Show the children that they need to learn to control the ball while dribbling since it is very easy to lose track of the ball, allowing the opposing team to gain control. Make sure they understand they are never to touch the ball with their hands unless they are throwing the ball back into play.

    • 4

      Combine your teaching of the skills of passing and shooting the ball, and tending the goal. Show them how to pass the ball to an open player, and how to kick the ball hard in the direction of the goal while aiming for a spot where the goalie may not be able to reach.

    • 5

      Stand an experienced player in the goal to try and stop your shooting example. Tell the kids to not be afraid to get dirty while tending the goal. Teach them that they should make every effort to not allow the opposing team to kick the ball into the goal.

    • 6

      Show the kids the boundary lines of the soccer field. Tell them they must not kick the ball off the field, as it will give the opposing team control of the ball.

    • 7

      Teach the kids that they can steal the ball from the other team, but they must never push down an opposing team member. Give an example, using two of your coaches or other experienced players, of stealing the ball. Allow them to practice in pairs.