How to Teach Soccer to Young Kids

More than 3.2 million young people aged 5 to 19 register with U.S. Youth Soccer each year. In many ways, soccer is an ideal sport for kids because it requires very little specialized equipment. The only things you need are a soccer ball and somewhere safe to play. When you coach young kids, your focus should be on their enjoyment of the sport, because kids who are enjoying what they are doing are likely to remain focused and interested as they get older.

Things You'll Need

  • Soccer ball
  • Cones
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Instructions

  1. Skills For Different Age Groups

    • 1

      Under 6s: Focus on basic skills such as coordination and balance. The U.S. Youth Soccer organization suggests that very young kids practice skills like passing and dribbling, but restrict game play to three a side with no goalkeepers.

    • 2

      Under 8s: Practice more advanced skills. You can develop dribbling skills in kids by getting them to dribble the ball through a series of gates marked out with cones, says U.S. Youth Soccer. Also let kids practice juggling the ball using their feet, and work in pairs to develop skills such as passing and receiving.

    • 3

      Under 10s: Encourage the kids to take a further step toward more advanced skills and game play. Drills can include attempting to tackle other players, receiving the ball in the air and mastering heading skills. U.S. Youth Soccer suggests that game play in this age group can involve six players on each team, including a goalkeeper.

    Approaches in Other Countries

    • 4

      The approach in the Netherlands focuses on skills and small games, but the emphasis is always on enjoyment. "We don't want people doing drills and waiting for 15 minutes for their turn," says Rob De Leede of the Dutch Football Association.

    • 5

      The English Football Association encourages kids under the age of 10 to play mini soccer. Mini soccer has similar rules to the full-size game, but uses a smaller field and fewer players. Having fewer players on the field means that each kid is more involved in the game, keeping him interested. Each kid also gets more touches of the ball, which helps to improve her skills and decision making.

    • 6

      In Brazil, kids play Futsal, a five-a-side game on a field the size of a basketball court. The ball is smaller and heavier than a full-size ball and does not bounce, allowing the kids to develop excellent close control. Coaches try to let the players play with as little interference as possible.