Knack Coaching Youth Soccer

D. W. Crisfield has the knack! The author of Everything Kids Soccer and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Soccer, Crisfield—who played soccer through school and then in adult leagues for more than fifteen years, and has coached almost thirty seasons of soccer for children from five to sixteen Beth Balbierz has the knack! A freelance photographer, she has two school-age kids and was herself drafted to coach a youth soccer team.

Introduction 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