At the beginning of every practice, circle the kids around and do warm-ups. Stretching exercises and running allow the muscles to limber up. If the child doesn't like to run, then too bad! Unless you are goalie (and all kids want to be goalie), soccer is 95% running. Get the kids conditioned!

This part is fun for me. I have the kids stretch out their leg muscles (front and back), tummy muscles, neck, and arm muscles. Next, I get the blood circulating with a something similar to jumping jacks. Squats are great stretches too.

Decide on what skill that you would like to teach the kids. Go down to "Drills" for more on this. During the first practices, concentrate on passing, dribbling, trapping, and throw-ins. Demonstrate to the kids how to do the skill correctly, and if you goof up (like I do all the time), then do it again!

There should be a scrimmage for the players to practice the new skill in a game situation. Stop the players when a mistake is made that involves the new skill, correct the mistake, and then allow play to resume from the point it was stopped.

Always end the practice on a positive note. When our scrimmage is over, I ask the players to take a knee and I highlight the things the team is doing well together. I go over the skill we learned and ask the kids if they have any comment. Next, we huddle together with all hands on mine and we pray -- sometimes I pray, and other times a player will lead the prayer. You don't have to pray, but I choose to since I'm representing the YMCA. After the prayer, we shout out a team cheer, and I might give the kids a treat (bubble gum, cookies, stickers, etc.). It's all up to you!

Now go out there and make me proud!

The following basic skills need to be learned: Rules, passing and trapping, shooting, teamwork, throw-ins, dribbling and control, tricks, conditioning, aggression, and goalie tips.

Goal: for each player to understand the basic rules of soccer.

• The game (four quarters, half time, and playtime).
• Only the goalie can touch the ball with his/her hands.
• Explain the referee and his job (enforcing rules, whistle, etc.).
• Explain zones.
• Keep the ball inside the white lines.
• Pump kids to get Mom or Dad to be a Linesman.
• Fouls (tripping, holding, handling the ball, dangerous play, charging without the ball, and obstruction).
• The use and misuse of our mouth.

Goal: for each player to successfully and accurately pass the ball to another player.

• 2 players and 1 ball. Three feet apart at first pass and trap. Increase distance.
• Freeze Drill. This develops dribbling skills while negotiating space with no defensive pressure. 7-10 minutes. Scatter players in a large 20-yard by 20-yard grid, each player with a ball. All players move freely with a ball through the grid until the coach blows the whistle or yells, "Freeze!" The players must freeze by bringing their balls to a complete stop. Variations of this drill might include touching the ball with any body part on one side of the body, freezing on a specific number of body parts, or freezing at various levels.
• Return to Sender Drill. Use one soccer ball for every two players, four game markers, two sets of jerseys - one jersey for each player. 7 to 10 minutes. Scatter layers in a 30-yard by 30-yard grid. Divide the group with half the players wearing red jerseys and the other half green (or whatever color you have). The green players, each with a ball, move freely in a grid. As they approach a stationary red player, they will pass to her, collect the return pass, and then move through space finding another red team member to whom they will pass. Repeat for one minute making as many passes as possible to different players, and then reverse roles.
• Monkey in the Middle Drill. This is a 2 vs. 1 or 4 vs. 1 keep away game.
• SIDE TO SIDE CHIPPING Description of drill: Separate your athletes into groups of three. Two athletes should be directly across from each other approximately 25-30 yards apart. The third athlete should be in the middle of the two. Only one ball is needed for the three players. The ball starts with the person in the middle. He/she passes to one of the end players, who without stopping the ball, must chip the ball over the middle players head and over to the other end player 25 - 30 yards away. As the ball floats in the air the middle person should be turning and following the ball. The receiving end player traps the ball at his/her feet and passes it to the middle player. The middle player lightly one touches the pass back to that end player who now must chip it over the middleman and back to end player who first chipped. This drill should go on for approximately three to five minutes before switching the middle person. It is important that the middle persons passes are accurate and proper. They should be passed back at a 45-degree angle so that the end person can properly chip the ball to the other end. What to look for Coaches: Although this drill is designed to develop ones chipping abilities, the middle person is truly the most important player. It is his/her responsibility to lay a proper pass back to the chipper. If the ball is laid straight back it becomes a much more difficult ball to be chipped with any accuracy. A slight 45-degree angle allows the chipper to make a nice angled run and chip the ball smoothly. Make sure that the chippers are working on both feet and are really getting under the ball and floating it above the middle player's head.
• TRIANGLE PASSING Description of drill: Your team should separate into groups of three. Once separated, spread the groups out within one half of the soccer field. Within their threesomes, they should create triangles. Your athletes should simply pass the ball in a triangular motion to each other. Have them pass one way for awhile and then switch directions. Have them use the inside of their feet and then the outside. Have them start with two-touch passing and as they progress limit them to one touch passing. Towards the end of the drill have them start moving together, around the field. They should be working together to avoid other groups as well as concentrating on proper, clean passes. This is a great warm up type drill to get your athletes mentally and physically prepared for a great practice. What to look for Coaches: Coaches should make sure that their athletes are not flatfooted during this drill. They should always be on their toes, ready to receive and distribute a pass. Coaches should also make sure that their athletes are striking nice firm passes. The players should be approximately 10 yards from each other so they must hit the ball with some force in order for a quick pass to occur. If the ball is mis-passed and it goes beyond the confines of the triangle the entire group of three should jog to where the ball went and start back up from there. There should never be a stop in the action. This drill really benefits your athletes because most passing drills are straight forward, yet in a game situation, straight forward passes are not always possible. This drill enables your athletes to feel comfortable with passing the ball at angles. Again, this is a great warm up drill!
• BOWLING Players try to knock over as many cones as possible.

Goal: for each player to successfully and accurately shoot the ball at the goal.

• Run-and-Shoot Drill. Four soccer balls and four game markers for every four players. 10 to 12 minutes. Place several balls in a row in a 15-yard by 15-yard grid. The shooter runs around one of the markers and shoots the ball in the goal. Repeat several times with the shooter running around a different marker each time. To increase difficulty, place a goalkeeper outside each goal post. As the shooter makes the turn around the marker, signal one of the goalkeepers to step in one corner of the goal and the shooter must shoot tot he unoccupied corner.
• 1 versus 1 shooting at goals.

Goal: for each player to successfully work together as a team.

Goal: for each player to successfully throw the ball in from the side lines.

• Just plain old throw it in over the head!
• Throw in heading drill. Divide team into two lines, Line A, and Line B. Give a ball to each player in Line A. Players in Line A throw in the ball to players in Line B, and players in Line B attempt to head the ball.

Goal: for each player to dribble the ball and maintain control.

• Circle Dribble Tag. Two soccer balls and four game markers for every six players. 8 to 10 minutes. Place six players in a 10-yard by 10-yard grid. Four players form a circle. Two players, each with a ball, stand outside the circle on opposite sides. Designate one of these players as the tagger. On the coach's signal, the tagger has 30 seconds to catch the other player with a ball with both players are dribbling. The tagger may cut through the circle, but the player being chased may not. To increase difficulty, while the tagger is chasing the other player, teammates who have formed the circle move as a unit to shield the player being chased from the tagger.
• Shake-and-Take Drill. One soccer ball for each player, on marker for each goal, four goals. 10 minutes. Place a marker 40 yards from the goal. A player dribbles toward the marker, executes an individual move to create space, and then goes to the goal and shoots. To increase difficulty, place two markers 40 yards from goal about 5 yards apart. Have a defender stand on a line between the markers and try to tackle the ball away from the attacker as she attempts to go between the markers to the goal. For additional difficulty, have Player A stand 40 yards from goal and a defender stand 30 yards from goal. The ball is passed to Player A.
• Red light green light.
• Two players dribble and pass and then shoot.
• Duck-Duck-Goose.

Goal: for each player to learn some neat tricks to give them an edge on the field.

• Fancy Footwork Drill. One soccer ball for each player, four game markers. 10 to 15 minutes. Scatter players with a ball in a 20-yard by 20-yard grid. While stationary, players practice controlled touches on the ball. Players can combine these touches in various ways to change speed, direction, or level. Encourage players to change the position of the ball in relationship to the body with push-aways, pullbacks, rollovers, and so forth. Next, have players change body position in relationship to the ball with stepovers, walkovers, etc.
• Turning the ball
• Hustle
• Fakes
• Heading

Goal: for each player to have the best endurance and strength.

• CALL OUT. Any number of players can be used. The players jog around in an area and the coach calls out instructions, such as push-ups (players must do a certain number of push-ups), or dead bug (players drop to their backs and hold their feet and arms up in the air) Use your imagination for calls so it stays fun. If you have even numbers assign partners and call hi-five, in which they hi-five their partner.
• CREATIVE DASHES. Set two cones 10 - 15 yards (depending on age of athletes) apart from each other. Separate your team into five different groups and have the first player in each group form a line perpendicular to the first cone. Each player should be arms width apart. So you should basically have 5 separate lines, the first player in each ready to do the drill. The object of this drill is to make the athletes sprint from their present position, the first cone, to the second cone as quickly as possible. The twist to this drill, and the reason it builds quickness and recovery time is because the athletes must start in awkward positions. For example, the first group of five athletes should start on their bellies. When they here you say "GO", the jump to their feet and sprint the 10-15 yards. As they are running, the next five pop on their bellies and listen for the "GO" command. After getting through all of the groups, you start over. Do the same routine, on the bellies, for the next round as they sprint back to the original cone. When they complete that task, start round Three. Make them jump in place pulling their knees to their chest. You yell the command whenever you're ready and they must stop their jumping and start their full out sprint. Do this twice for everyone. Next you can have them do high knees in place, while they wait for the command. You can get creative and make them do anything you want before the sprint, as long as it is active.
• DOGGIES. Starting from the end, measure outwardly 5 yards and place a cone. From that point measure another 5 yards (10-yard line) and place a cone. From that point walk another 5 yards (15 yards) and place a cone. Continue this action until you have put all 5 cones down and the farthest cone is now 25 yards from the end line. Now line your entire team up along the end line. The cones should be set up from the middle of the goalmouth so that everyone can see them. On your command the athletes sprint to the first cone, turn and run back to the end line. They then turn at the end line and sprint for cone #2. They turn at cone #2, head back to the end line and then sprint for cone #3. They repeat this until they have sprinted to and from each cone, in successive order. Depending upon age and fitness level of your team, decide how many repetitions should be done. For young athletes 3-5 sets is probably appropriate and for older athletes, anywhere from 6 - 10 reps (never more than 10).
• EPIDEMIC. Take four cones and make a square. Depending on how many players you have you may want to use an entire half of the soccer field. Place your entire team of players into the square and then pick one player to be the "Carriers." This player now must try and tag their teammates and help the epidemic spread. Once the "Carrier" tags somebody, that tagged player must link hands with the "Carrier" that tagged him/her. Now these two players, attached at the hands, must work together to try and capture another player and build on their chain of disease. When they tag a third player, that player must also join in on the chain of disease and now the three of them must work together, running around the square trying to spread the Epidemic. The object of the drill, besides building fitness is to create a gigantic chain of athletes, linked by their hands, chasing after free bodies. By the end of the drill you should have 1 long line of players working as a team to close off an area of the square to contain and capture the last free player.
• SNAKE. 4 or more players are needed for this drill. All players stand in a line about 3 feet from each other. The player in the back runs in a weaving fashion around the players and stops 3 feet from the first player. This is repeated. Make sure to keep the pace up. Include balls if the children have gotten good enough.

Goal: for each player not to be afraid of getting the ball.

• Keeper-to-Keeper Drill. This is a possession game that uses the keepers. Instead of trying to score, each team tries to pass the ball from one keeper to the other. Keepers can play the ball with their hands. Once they get it from one keeper, they receive it back again and try to attack going the other way.
• Pressure Drill. Groups of three, one ball per group. Player A rolls the ball (receiving ground balls) or tosses the ball (receiving air balls) to either player B or player C. In this example, player C must control the ball and get a completed pass to player B. While this is occuring, player A immediately challenges player C and tries to win the ball back. After successful pass, player C would then pick up the ball and repeat the activity as the defender. The defender is awarded a point for winning the ball back and gets to throw again.
• Looking for an open player -- Three against two. There should always be an "open man" for the three-player team, and this is achieved by all three moving at all times. This develops aggressiveness in the team of two players.
• World Cup Drill. See below under "Post Script".

Goal: for the goalie to have an edge over the other players.

• Quick turn around on the ball
• Punting
• Throwing
• Place kicking
• Fakes
• Yelling to teammates when you get the ball
• Never kicking down the middle