When it comes to teaching soccer to kids, the approach should be different from how you train adults. Kids have unique needs, and tailoring the skills and teaching methods to their level is key.
If you’re a coach or a parent, it’s important you focus on age-appropriate techniques that make learning fun, engaging, and effective.
Today, I will point out 10+ vital soccer skills for kids to prepare them to become better players when they become adults.
Let’s get in.
Positioning on the Field
When they start to play football and play matches, children usually run where the ball is. A large group of players around the ball can often be seen at the matches of the youngest kids.
Children should be taught to hold their positions and not to run where the ball is, but to play in accordance with the duties of their role.
One simple drill that can help children learn positioning is to mark with cones the area their position covers. Make them pass the ball around, but each kid can move only in his field.
Tapping for Control
Taping represents the player’s ability to control the ball by alternately moving the ball with the right and left foot, using only the inside of the foot.
Like pulling, this is a very important skill for developing a child’s sense of the soccer ball.
The exercise can be done both in place and in motion. Control the ball a few meters moving forward and then do the same moving backward. Keep the head raised.
Good Ball Control
Ball control is the ability of a player to control the ball in every way, be it movements or directions. This technique allows the player to save the ball from the opponent and maintain possession.
This way, the player ensures the continuation of the play of his team.
The key to good ball control is in the leg and foot movement, but kids should learn to control the ball also with the head and chest.
Divide the kids into two groups. Each group has 6 cones in front of them, between which they must move and control the ball.
A player moves the ball between all six cones, turns around, repeats the drill in the opposite direction, and hands over the ball to the next in line.
Groups compete among themselves to control the ball and finish the drill first. When controlling the ball between the cones, the ball must not run away and no cone can be skipped.
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Passing with Precision
Passing is necessary for a successful implementation of tactics. The most common performance of passing is with the inside and outside of the foot.
When performing a passing, precision is a vital aspect. Passing can be done to a space in the field, or directly to a teammate’s feet.
Place two cones at a distance of a few yards. Place a group of players behind each of them. The child who has the ball at the beginning of the exercise has the task of passing it to the feet of the first player of the opposite group.
When passes the ball, he goes to the back of the group he passed the ball.
Receiving the Ball
Receiving the ball is the ability of a player successfully to stop the ball that is going towards him.
Without a good ability to receive the ball, all the other elements of ball control fail to use it.
It can be done with the sole, inner, and outer parts of the foot, thighs, chest, and head.
Divide the players into pairs. They are passing the ball to each other, and when the ball reaches the player’s feet, he must receive it with a sole.
Every few minutes, change the part of the foot that can be used for receiving. When using the inside of the foot, the foot is positioned slightly above the grass, so the contact is established with the middle of the ball.
Being in a constant skip before receiving the ball is mandatory.
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Juggling
Juggling is the basis for the development of the children’s sense of the ball. It represents the ability to control the ball while it is in the air, without allowing it to hit the ground.
When kicking the ball, the foot should be straight and firm. While the ball is in the air and the player is waiting for it to fall back, he must be in a constant skip to keep pace.
The exercise used here is simple. The player holds the ball in his hand and throws it in front of him.
When she bounces off the ground, the player’s task is to start juggling. The goal is to hit the ball as many times as possible before it finally falls on the ground.
Juggling is generally a skill that requires kids to be at a certain age to master it … You can learn about the most recommended age for kids to play soccer!
Running with the Ball
Running with the ball is the basis of soccer and represents the player’s ability to control the ball while in its possession.
For this skill, the focus should be on straightening the foot to hit the ball at every step with appropriate force.
The exercise that can be applied here is “hunter and rabbit”
At each half of the field, there are 4 players or rabbits. A hunter is in the middle of the field. The goal of the rabbits is to move the ball from the end of the field to the half where the other rabbits are.
The hunter attacks them and tries to prevent them from reaching other rabbits. For rabbits to escape, they must communicate with each other and run with the ball.
Changing Pace
Change of pace is the ability of a player to quickly change direction while guiding the ball.
If the player wishes to avoid colliding with the opponent, or multiple defenders on the field, he uses this technique.
The kid should learn to move the ball quickly with both, the outside and inside of the foot. In addition, kids should learn how to pull the ball back with their soles, which is quite useful when wishing to slow down the play.
Place 4 cones in the shape of a square and the player with the ball is in the middle of the square. The task of the players is to make a change of movement with the ball at each cone.
Cones symbolize opposing players and the emphasis of this exercise should be on pulling and pushing the ball with a quick change of pace.
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Teamwork Is Everything
Soccer is a team sport, and building a sense of cooperation early on is vital. Kids need to understand they’re part of a bigger picture.
The child should develop a team spirit, and not see himself as an individual but as part of a team. Selfishness and isolation should be prevented from an early age.
Limit the space and divide the kids into two teams, with all players having assigned numbers. They have the task of throwing the ball with their hands all over the field.
The ball must be in the air all the time and pass in numerical order. This will force players to communicate with each other and make them cooperate to accomplish the task. The first group to finish wins.
Shooting for Goals
Shooting is often kids’ favorite part of soccer—it’s where the magic of scoring happens. Proper technique is key, from body positioning to foot placement.
It is important to teach children how to approach the ball when kicking and how to position their feet. You should also pay attention to the body position.
Kids should learn proper shooting techniques. The body must be slightly bent backward, but not too much. Wrong body positioning disturbs the balance and affects the quality of the shot.
You line up a few cones in a row, 20 yards from goal.
The player dribbles the ball around them and then passes the ball to the coach who is about ten yards far from the goal.
The coach receives the ball and sends it to the side. The coach decides whether he will place it on the left or right side.
A player must make a run toward the ball and adapt his speed and body position for the shot at the goal.
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Building Fitness the Fun Way
While fitness is not a top priority for young kids, building endurance and agility is still important. Keep it fun to avoid boredom.
Fitness is of lesser importance at the youngest age, because the emphasis should be on developing technique and ball control.
However, fitness level should not be completely neglected. Only running is something that should be avoided, as kids find it boring.
These exercises should be as interesting as possible to keep children amused while practicing.
Limit the area to 20 yards square and organize a group of players. The other group of players is positioned outside of the field.
The first player from a group outside the field has the task of entering that field and catching one player from the opposing group.
When the player is caught, they both go out of the field. Each player from the group outside the field has the task of catching one player from the group in the field.
Improve Coordination
Coordination improvement represents the development of children’s motor skills. It is developed best by the age of 12 and that is why these exercises should be started as early as possible.
Usually, coordination exercises are the initial part of the training. Various pieces of equipment can be used in coordination exercises, such as cones, ladders, obstacles, or hoops.
Arrange the cones, obstacles, or hoops in a row. You can also use a ladder which is best for these exercises. Children need to enter each field differently.
There are lots of these exercises where one leg goes in each field, both legs, sideways, jump into each field, and a combination of these.
