Description
Book SynopsisEach spring and fall, hundreds of thousands of kids across North America join local recreation department soccer teams—and thousands of unprepared adults are drafted as coaches. Similarly, every summer, camp counselors are expected to play soccer with children from age five to fifteen. Knack Coaching Youth Soccer applies the unique quick-reference, visually organized Knack format to present a season’s worth of plans, exercises, strategies, and tips to help coaches avoid embarrassment, have fun, and leave kids with the happiest experience possible. It addresses the different levels of coaching, both by age and by league. And it expertly covers soccer mechanics, strategy, and coaching philosophy, and provides extensive examples of drills and games for practices. Its 450 full-color photos plus charts and diagrams are complemented by easy-to-follow instructions and plenty of ideas for creating a winning team. • 450 full-color photos• Charts and diagrams • Kindergarten to middle school• Covers soccer both for boys and for girls
Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: Getting StartedYour Coaching PersonalityPhilosophy to suit the agesTravel Soccer, Rec Soccer, Indoor, CampMeeting Your TeamMeeting the ParentsGetting to Know Your Team Chapter 2: Rules and Equipment Object of the GamePlaying FieldThe Throw-InSpecial KicksReferee SignalsExtras a Coach Should Know About Chapter 3: Taking Care of the Soccer BodySafety FirstShin Guards and SocksCleatsEndurance and SprintTraining Strengthening—Legs Strengthening—Core Chapter 4: Warm Up DrillsStretching for 4-6 year oldsPirate Ship Warm-UpStretching for 7-10 year oldsBull in the Ring Warm-UpStretching for 11-14 year oldsHalf and Half Warm Up Chapter 5: DribblingMechanicsMovesDrills for 4-6 year oldsDrills for 7-10 year oldsDrills for 11-14 year oldsGames for all Chapter 6: Ball ControlMechanicsStrategyDrills for 4-6 year oldsDrills for 7-10 year oldsDrills for 11-14 year oldsGames for all Chapter 7: PassingShort BallLong Ball on groundLong Ball in airDrills for 4-6 year oldsDrills for 7-10 year oldsDrills for 11-14 year olds Chapter 8: FinishingPower ShotsFinesse ShotsDrills for 4-6 year oldsDrills for 7-10 year oldsDrills for 11-14 year oldsGames for all Chapter 9: HeadingMechanicsChoosing the DirectionDiving Headers StrategyDrills Games Chapter 10: GoalkeepingEquipmentDealing with a lofted ballDealing with a rolling ballCutting the AngleReleasing the ballWarm Up Drills Chapter 11: Set PlaysKick offGoal KickCorner Kick for OffenseCorner Kick for DefenseDirect and Indirect KicksPenalty Kick Chapter 12: Formations4-3-34-4-2 flat4-4-2 diamond3-2-2 and 2-3-22-1-2-2Three vs. three (super small) Chapter 13: DefenseIndividual defensive skillsStrategyThe WallExtrasAgainst Set PlaysDrills Chapter 14: Offense and TransitionGetting Down the FieldThrow-In StrategiesOffense DrillsTransitioningTransition Drills Chapter 15: Team GamesSmall sided games for 4-6 year oldsWhole team games for 4-6 year oldsSmall sided games for 7-10 year oldsWhole team games for 7-10 year oldsSmall sided games for 11-14 year oldsWhole team games for 11-14 year olds Chapter 16: Game DayShare philosophy StrategyPrepPlay time and sub listsWarm Up DrillsHalftime Chapter 17: Sample PracticesPractice 1 for 4-6 year oldsPractice 2 for 4-6 year oldsPractice 1 for 7-10 year oldsPractice 2 for 7-10 year oldsPractice 1 for 11-14 year oldsPractice 2 for 11-14 year olds Chapter 18: If You Are Running TryoutsGoal settingWhat to Look For7-10 Tryout Day11-14 Tryout DayGoalkeeper TryoutsPlayer Evaluation Chapter 19: Indoor SoccerOptionsRulesWhy Choose IndoorFormationsIndoor DrillsSample Practice Chapter 20: Resource Directory Index
