It is the first week of Bayside Soccer and your players are getting to know you and one another. For many of your players soccer is a new sport. The large field, the number of players, the excitement of parents, and the sideline instructions of a coach can be overwhelming for such young players. Be patient with them. During this first few games we allow the coaches to be on the field with the players to help orient them to positions, free kicks,  and throw ins.

WEEK ONE FOCUS: Goaltending, Throw-ins, Game Basics, and Dribbling

Here are a few keys for this first week of practice for 10-12 and 8-9 divisions:

• Warm Up your players using the tips on the front page of the coaches handbook. Proper warm up prevents injury and builds a habit for these players of taking care of their bodies.
• Get to know your players names. Tell them about yourself. Make sure to include your assistant coach.
• At the 8-9 level you may need to take more water breaks.
• Remember! Catch players doing things well and you will have an easier time coaching them.
• If you have advanced players (which you all should) they may be discouraged with such basic instruction. Challenge them to be leaders on the field encouraging other players, and to perfect their technique.

DAY 1: Bayside_Rec_Week_1_1 – Goaltending and Throw-ins

Throw-ins: Feet down, both hands on the ball, ball behind the head, throw up field.

1. Vogel Soccer Mastery has a simple visual of the throw in technique. Click on the link or enter it into your web browser exactly: https://youtu.be/wijnnnCK6Ms
2. Soccer Help is a basic website with information on how to teach basic soccer skills. Click on the link or type this address in your browser for more help: https://www.soccerhelp.com/Throw.shtml

DAY 2: The second day we are focused on dribbling and reinforcing throw-ins. Dribbling is how a player moves the ball around the field. Throw-ins are how play begins again when the ball goes out of bounds. Here are some keys to good technique from some solid internet resources:

Dribbling: Remember the parts of the foot – Inside, outside, laces, bottom.

• Laces – for dribbling forward.
• Inside and outside – for turning and cutting left or right.
• Bottom – for fine control and quick turns.

1. Progressive Soccer has a good video explaining the basics of dribbling forward: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz2nI2_HucA
2. Complete Soccer Guide offers a 5 step explanation of body position and dribbling basics: https://www.completesoccerguide.com/how-to-dribble-a-soccer-ball/

Make sure to use your coaching manual for additional games, practice format, and helpful suggestions. The resources in this email are designed to help you see the proper technique.

Recommended Practice Format Week 1:

– Introductions:
– Warm Up: Follow the warm-up in your manual, or in the practice session pdf
– Water break
– Skill Instructions and Demonstrations: Dribbling.  (Use your Academy players or youth player assistant coaches for help if needed)
– Practice the Skill – 3 lines of players. Each line has two cones 12 steps apart straight ahead of them. Have players dribble forward one at a time using their laces and making light touches forward. They go up the right side and return down the left side to the back of the line.(We don’t want them to go fast, but to focus on proper touch on the ball). Do this 3 times watching for and helping with proper technique.
– Water break
– Play with the Skill – Red Light / Green Light (Dribbling Style).

– Water break

(Optional Scrimmage with the other team or continue practice)

– End practice with stretching, and asking players what we practiced today. Ask them to explain the technique and even demonstrate. End encouraging them.

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Thank you once again coaches for all of your help. Our ultimate goal is to provide a fun developmental soccer atmosphere for kids and their families. You help us to make it happen. If you have any questions or need some additional drills, or skills please reach out. I recommend footy4kids.co.uk. It is one of the best places to find drills, and coaches aids.

Best Wishes,

Coach Joe

Director of Coaching

Bayside Soccer and Bayside Soccer Academy