Practice Lesson Plans
US Youth Soccer Training Lesson Plans
Descriptions and diagrams
Framework for a good recreational soccer practice:
​
1. Greetings
As players arrive coaches should interact and talk with parents. The kids are more likely to leave their parents and trust a coach they see positively interacting with a coach.
​
2. Warm-Up
a. Formal Warm-up - jogging, stretch, hopping, sprinting
b. Fun Warm-up - play tag, play knock-out with the ball, play capture the flag with a pinnie, take time to stretch in between. So you might "play" an active game for 3 minutes then stretch. Then play a couple more minutes and stretch.
​
3. Skills
Practice a set of skills as a drill, using repetitive tasks for 5-10 minutes (depending on age). Then practice the skills in the parameters of a fun game. Practice 2 skills if time and attention permits.
​
4. Live Play
Set a field up and play soccer for the last 10-15 minutes. Use smaller field sometimes so play speed increases. Just set up cones as goals.
​
5. Review, Relay Information and Cool Down
Review the target skill(s) and cool down with 1-3 minutes of stretching and relaxing. During cool down have guardians come in closer and remind them of upcoming games or practices.
​
6. Be the last one to leave
Interact with kids and guardians as they leave.
​
​
​