Here’s a really simple way to be successful at teaching and training various techniques/skills in Soccer practice. Three different techniques are there that the kids can learn. There is no difference when it comes to teaching a soccer skill or any other skill. Different people call these teaching methods by different names. I call it as “FIG”. It would be explained to you in the subsequent paragraphs.
Foundation: In soccer training F means the basic groundwork that needs to be understood to play the game. These are therefore the lowest levels of training. It’s necessary for every kid to know and learn these skills even when these are of no use in actual game. It’s imperative to build a strong foundation for the team to be bigger, varied, and complete in all aspects.
Intermediate: Halfway i.e. intermediate what the letter “I” means. These middle level techniques play a very significant role of tying the fundamentals with the game skills. We therefore must understand that mid level skills and actual game skills play a very different role in soccer. When it comes to soccer coaching, intermediate skills and game skills are not the same. But they have a significant role to plan when it comes to building game skills.
Game: These are the game skills that enable the player to play the game while in field. These skills make the players learn the crucial skills that are necessary to play the game.
In soccer drills, it’s always beneficial to adopt the method of demonstration and performance. This means that you follow a standard teaching format of giving an introduction, then explaining the body, and wrapping up with the conclusion. In soccer practice, tell the players what you intend to coach them about. Then do it so that kids are able to copy it. And then instruct them to do it themselves.
Teaching has three essential elements; One, kids must be told how to perform. Let them know the skill and alongside, teach them on how this will improve their game. Secondly, demonstrate to them the right way of performing the trick. Show the players the skill or technique you wish them to learn. It’s a well accepted fact that kids learn fast by watching.
Finally, make the kids practice the tricks. Sufficient time must be allowed to the kids so that can practice the game. It is fine to repeat things as required so that they learn. Do not give long lectures or instructions. Rather emphasize more on demonstration and practice.
To conclude, inform the players how they performed in soccer practice. Also tell them what steps they need to take to improve even more. Have a go at it and you will see for yourself the tremendous advantages that it brings to your training regimen.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andre Botelho is the author of “The Expert Youth Soccer Coaching Guide” and he’s a recognized expert in the subject of youth soccer coaching. Learn how to explode your players’ skills and make training fun in less than 29 days! Download your free pdf guide at: Youth Soccer Training