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.