How to Coach Pre-K Soccer

Pre-K or pre-kindergarten soccer is played by 3 and 4-year-olds throughout the world. When coaching pre-K soccer, you should ensure that you keep a positive and upbeat attitude throughout all sessions. As a pre-K soccer coach, you may be the first exposure of a child to the game of soccer, and the level of enjoyment they experience in your session may determine whether they continue to play the game.

Instructions

  1. Pre-K soccer coaching

    • 1

      Provide energy and an upbeat attitude to your pre-K soccer coaching session. Rather than focusing on competitiveness and perfect technique, you should aim to have each pre-K soccer player leave your coaching session having enjoyed the session and wanting to return the next week.

    • 2

      Teach dribbling by telling the pre-K soccer players that they are taking the dog for a walk. This will allow you to give coaching points. To be successful dribbling, they need to keep the ball close to themselves so it can be under control. To teach this, you can use the analogy of a dog leash, and tell the soccer players that they must keep their dog on a leash.

    • 3

      Teach dribbling with the use of the traffic light game, in which players see their balls as a car they are driving and stop and start on the "red light" and "green light" command of their coach. You can also add obstacles and teach turning within this game.

    • 4

      Introduce the concept of avoiding defenders with the fun game of "Tiger, Tiger," where you as coach are seen as a tiger who is looking to eat their ball. This game teaches pre-K soccer players the concept of recognizing pressure and dribbling away from it.

    • 5

      Teach passing with the game "Coconut shy." Help pre-K soccer players master passing by having the target of a ball on a cone five yards away and the player scoring points by knocking the ball off the cone. Increasing the distance and having team races are fun ways to progress in this game.