Word Count: 643 Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 11:10 PM
A Quickie Guide on Youth Soccer
Rules are a part of life-and a part of sports, too. Yes, you should know the main rules of the game, and you should know the rules for the leagues that you are dealing with. However, you should also know that when you are dealing with youth soccer you are going to want to place much more emphasis on learning the rules of the game and how to play rather than on winning. You are also going to want to think carefully about giving everyone an equal chance to play and to do well.
First of all, master the rules. Just because you are teaching youth soccer shouldn't mean that you don't know the adult versions of the rules. Even if you are teaching very young children, and all you are going to want to have them do is kick the ball and run, you are going to want to know the rules of the game so that if you have a child that asks you, you can explain. Also, you should know the rules of the game so that you can teach children exactly what to do and in the right manner. The best way for children to learn is to have a coach that knows the game inside and out.
Next, you want to make sure that you know the particular rules for the league that you are playing in. Remember that just because you know it is soccer doesn't mean that you know all of the rules. You want to be sure that you have researched the league that you are playing in and that you know exactly what is to be expected of the kids that you are teaching. You want to be sure that they are following all of these rules as well.
One of the most important things that you have to know about youth soccer is that the emphasis should never be on winning games. You probably don't even want to worry about keeping score. The kids that you are teaching for youth soccer should be able to do what they are supposed to do in a soccer game, but always the emphasis should be on having fun and on learning the rules while they play, and not on winning. You can teach each moment, whether it is during practice or during games, to use as a learning time, and you can be sure that you are teaching the children on your team all of the correct rules at all times.
Lastly, you have to be sure that you are giving each of the children equal playing time. It doesn't matter if some of them don't get it, and if they aren't very good at playing soccer. This isn't the point of learning how to play soccer. You want to be sure that you are able to have each of the kids play for the same amount of time, and when it comes to various positions that they are going to be playing, you want to be sure that you are letting each child try out each of the different ones. This is something that is very important because you have to be sure that you are teaching them correctly. One of the most important things that you can do as a youth soccer coach is make sure that everyone is getting a fair amount of play time, and that no one is feeling like they are being left out.
This is very important for you to do, and it is very important that you work together with the other coaches and with the various parents that you are in contact with to insure that each of the children gets the same amount of play time and always remember to be positive, as well!
About the Author
Eric Bau was born in Toronto Ontario and started playing soccer at the age of 4. He has played in many leagues though his 23 years in the game and on many different competitive levels. Come check out my blog for more information about youth soccer.
Visit Behind The Goal Line Blog for more information
Rate, comment or bookmark this article
Comments 
No comments posted.
Add Comment
Popular Articles in this cathegory
1: The Best Right Midfielders Ever To Play Soccer2: The Best Attacking Midfielders To Ever Play Soccer
3: The Best Centre Backs Ever To Play Soccer
4: The Best Left Backs Ever To Play Soccer
5: The Best Defensive Midfielders Ever To Play Soccer
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

