How to Coach Kindergarten/First Grade Soccer

Coaching kindergarten soccer is one of the most rewarding and challenging things you can do. It is a great way to volunteer for your community. Since most programs are volunteer-based, coaches are often on their own to structure practices and even games. Here you'll find tips on making the most of practices and game time so that everyone wins!

Things You'll Need

  • A watch
  • Patience
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Instructions

    • 1

      First off, you'll need a great deal of patience. The kids you are working with have short attention spans and may have never been involved with an organized sport before. The goal is to give them some structure for practices, help them learn something and most importantly, have fun!

    • 2

      Practice is key. You should have at least as many practices as you have games. Structure your practice ahead of time, so kids aren't waiting while you think of something to do. Start with some stretching or a warm up game and then move into skills practice. Use half of the practice to work on skills by either individual coaching, drills or skill-based games and then follow up with a scrimmage for the rest of practice.

    • 3

      Key skills at this age are kicking with laces, stopping the ball and following the ball down the field. To teach these skills, use drills such as weaving around cones, kicking a ball to other team members, having kids kick the ball down the field to a goal. Kids also need to know where the field boundaries are and basic points, like not touching the ball with their hands, playing with good sportsmanship and having fun.

    • 4

      Enlist help. If you don't already have one, try to recruit an assistant coach. With an assistant coach, you have someone to remember what you forget, to help you demonstrate skills, to work individually with kids and to help you referee at games. Other ways to enlist help is to have parents bring a treat for each game, so that everyone participates and to look online for videos about coaching soccer for young players.

    • 5

      Game time! Have a quick pep talk before the game, to remind kids of the rules and which goal is theirs. A watch is handy for games, especially if you have more players than you need on the field. Use your watch to keep games on time and to allow every player equal playing time if you have to rotate players. Be sure to encourage kids during games, by saying things like 'Great kick!', 'Way to get in there!' and giving high fives. Use individual names when encouraging kids.