Beginner training plan
Your first lessonBall Control (Getting Comfortable With the Ball)
Before tactics, a kid must feel like the ball is their friend.
Teach:
• Dribbling with both feet
• Soft touches (inside, outside, sole)
• Keeping the ball close while moving
Lesson 11+Basic Defensive Habits
Many youth coaches skip this — don’t.
Teach:
• Stay between the attacker and the goal
• Bend knees, stay balanced
• Don’t dive in
• Win the ball clean
Turn it into 1v1 games to make it fun.
Soccer IQ (Basic Game Understanding)
Keep it simple.
Teach:
• What each position does
• When to spread out
• When to support a teammate
• Simple spacing (don’t crowd the ball)
Lesson 4-10Shooting Technique
Kids love scoring — use that excitement.
Teach:
• Plant foot next to the ball
• Lock ankle
• Strike with laces or inside foot
• Aim before power
Lesson 2-3Passing & Receiving
Soccer is a team game — kids must learn to share the ball.
Teach:
• Inside-of-the-foot passing (accuracy first, power later)
• First touch control
• Calling for the ball
Youth players
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