I Got Voluntold to Coach Soccer. Now What?

You raised your hand at the parent meeting. Or worse, nobody else did, so they looked at you. Either way, congratulations: you're a soccer coach now.

Here's what you need to know: you don't need to be a soccer expert. You need to be organized, positive, and willing to show up. The bar is lower than you think, and you're already clearing it by reading this.

What 6 to 8 Year Olds Actually Need

• Lots of touches on the ball (not lectures)
• Short activities (5 to 8 minutes max before switching)
• Positive reinforcement (catch them doing something right)
• Water breaks (they will ask constantly, so just build them in)
• A scrimmage at the end (this is why they came)

Your First Practice Cheat Sheet

1. Arrival Game (5 min)

Put a ball at every kid's feet. "Dribble anywhere inside the cones. When I say freeze, stop the ball." That's it. They're playing.

2. Dribbling Game (8 min)

"Sharks and Minnows." One kid is the shark, everyone else dribbles across. If the shark kicks your ball out, you become a shark. They will scream. It's working.

3. Passing Pairs (8 min)

Partner up, 10 feet apart, pass back and forth. Inside of the foot. That's the whole instruction.

4. Shooting (8 min)

Line up, take turns shooting on a small goal (or between two cones). Let them celebrate.

5. Scrimmage (15 min)

Small sided (3v3 or 4v4). No positions. Let them chase the ball. They're 7.

6. Huddle (3 min)

"What was your favorite part?" High fives. Done.

Need a plan customized for your age group? Build a free soccer practice plan for any age group here.