On Monday, August 27th we had our first Spartan Soccer practice.
The first thing I had the kids do was say their name and if they played soccer before. I figure we have 5 practices before our jamboree so it’s going to be important that they know each other’s name. Most of these kids will be at the same school, but not necessarily the same class.
About half our team played in pre-K soccer last year and the other haven’t play much soccer at all. Regardless if they played last year or not; this year is different. This is the year there is a designated Goalkeeper, there is also a heavier emphasis on the other general positions as well; Defender. Midfielder and Forward. So my second goal of the night was to introduce the positions and a little bit about what they did. We will do a simple review each practice so that at game time when I say ‘Konner, you’re a defender’ he will know where that position is and what he is supposed to do.
Our third goal of the night was to practice dribbling. I first asked if anyone knew how to dribble, and as expected one kid said yeah and motioned basketball dribbling so I explained how there is dribbling in soccer, but it was different — we only use our feet. I instructed them to make small inside kicks as to keep control over the ball. And I explained that if we make big kicks someone could come in and take ball from us. So each kid got practice dribbling the ball up and down the field twice.
Our fourth and final goal of the night was to practicing making a goal by kicking the ball with our shoelaces. I lined all the balls up and demonstrated how to kick by aligning the none kicking foot next to the ball so that the kicking leg didn’t have to extent so far to make the kick and then to use the laces of their shoes and not their toes.
All in all, I think our first practice was a success. I do have one parent on the team who is a JV Soccer coach and PE teacher for a middle school. I understand his want to just be a parent and not a coach, but I would be lying if I didn’t say it put a little extra pressure on this first time coach.
Tales of a fist time youth soccer coach. 