Youth Soccer Coaching Games

Youth soccer coaching games are so important when planning a kids training session.

When coaching young soccer players it is important to keep the players interest by making the coaching session fun.

Remember what ever level you coach at if the children leave happy they cannot wait to get back to the next session for more.

There are a host of youth soccer coaching games that can be included into any session to put the smiles on the kids faces.

Realistically these type of soccer drills can be modified to suit any age group.

Here are a few favourite youth soccer coaching games to not only keep you and your young charges happy but also develop the skills on the ball along the way.

Bees - For the really young kids(Older players may feel a bit foolish Buzzzzzzzzing).

Organise and area big enough for the group and one ball each per player. Coaches walk around the area and players with the ball try to hit the coaches (sting) with a pass. The kids are encouraged to look for the target to hit while on the move. They will love it. Remember to give the players time on the ball before the coaches are introduced into the area.

"Sharks & Minnows"
The area for this game should be 20 X20 but again according to size of group. Each player with a ball at their feet (Minnows) dribbles around the area. The players without the ball (Sharks) are released into the area.

The sharks jobs is to touch the the ball the minnow is dribbling. Once touched the minnow must freeze and pick up his ball. The minnow can only go again once another minnow has dribbled the ball through his legs. Change the sharks every 30 seconds to 1 minute.

"Wave Game"
This is a great game that the kids will love. I would make this 30 x 20 and have all the kids at one end with a ball at their feet. The coaches are in the middle of the area and the object of the game is for the players with the ball to dribble past the coaches to get to the other side. The coach has to try to kick the ball out of the area.

If a players' ball goes out of the area then the player joins the coach in trying to get the ball. The wave in the name is when all the players begin on the go command and run across in a wave. One variation on this are the players who start in the middle assuming the crab position.

"Rapid Fire"
As with the wave the players line up at one end without the ball but the coach has to hit the runners with a goods pass. When hit the player joins the coach in the middle until all the players are out.

"Soccer Tennis"
One of the best youth soccer coaching games is Soccer Tennis.

Soccer Tennis is a great game for developing players touch. Although very rarel do you juggle a ball during a game you do have to be able to direct the ball or control the ball out of the air.

This is great fun and is can become quite competitive. There is no limit to the amount of players per side but ideally you can use up to 5 aside and players will get plenty of touches on the ball.

The beauty of this is that the game can develop as players skills grow.
Start with younger players being allowed a bounce before they pass to a team mate or return over the net.

Before you know it young players will be controlling with any part of their body and moving sideways on their toes to receive the ball.

If you can get your hands on a net of any description for this game then all the better. If not just set up a row of cones in the middle and your off.

"The Huddle"
This one is great fun for the kids. Split players into groups of four with one of the four wearing a training bib. The four player creat a huddle bt linking shoulders.

A fifth player with a soccer ball in his hands has to try and make contact with the ball on the player wearing the bib. The huddle trys to protect the bib wearer by turning away from the player with the ball.

When the player with the ball makes contact with the bib wearing player then switch the ball holder.