The best way to end your soccer training session is on a high… I like to send my soccer players away with a smile on their face and having learned a new soccer technique or tactic during soccer practice. If they leave with a smile on their face then what I’ve found is that they are energized at the very start of the next session, in fact most of them sprint onto the training ground! If your players are energized, share your secrets with us at Junior Soccer Coach, we love to hear from everyone that finds our information motivational and useful… but if your players need a little...

Soccer games can be thrilling but even in the most tedious matches there will always be plenty of action for a coach to analyse. However, are you analysing correctly or just simply watching the match? Do you write down on paper, or mentally, what you observe on the field? Do you watch out for areas in need of some work, either with individual players or as a team? By analysing correctly each game, you will come up with many topics to use a basis for future coaching sessions. Frequently during a match, a player may not have ball possession for long periods of time. Whenever this is the case, he should...

Many coaches ask how best to choose a goalkeeper. Usually what happens is you find yourself either with several volunteers or none at all! However, choosing a player who is suited to the role is essential for a successful season. A common error is automatically placing the biggest player in goal, just because his size means he can cover more goal area. There may be more competent players able to perform the role, regardless of how tall or well built they are. Height should of course be taken into account but there are other areas to consider as well. Handling capabilities A good pair of safe hands is a...

What is meant by the term ‘a natural leader?’ Do we mean a player who shows the way by example? Is it a person who inspires the other players through his communication and team talks? Or perhaps a much needed authority on the field, someone who is available to all other players when needed, a general…? This list is endless. All the traits and characteristics above are to be found in a good soccer team captain. He should have just as much influence over his team off the pitch as he does on it. The fundamental role of a soccer team captain is acting as a link between the manager or coach of the...

In this, the fifth and final part of the series, we look at how to tell the trialists whether they have been chosen to join your squad or not. Once the time arrives to make the selection for the squad, emotions will be running high for you, your team hopefuls and their parents. Choosing new members for your squad is a time of mixed emotions for a soccer coach. It is such a rewarding experience, seeing the expressions of joy when trialists are told they have been selected for the team. However, it’s not pleasant informing those not chosen that they haven’t made it. It’s a tough message to give and...