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REGISTRATION FOR THE FALL 2025 RECREATIONAL SEASON IS NOW OPEN!
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Translate:
REGISTRATION FOR THE FALL 2025 RECREATIONAL SEASON IS NOW OPEN!
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Do you wonder what games look like for young kids just starting out?
Learn what you need to do to coach.
We encourage all of our coaches to take online courses to assist them with their understanding for the positions, the game and the player. We will reimburse all coaches for securing a certificate or passing a course once proof of completion has been provided. You can start with the free course "Introduction To Grassroots Coaching" which will be the standard for all new and existing coaching and their staff.
YouTube is your friend. Just try searching on "Rondo soccer drills for U10".
Below are building blocks for building your players. They are great for practices and for warming up before games.
Rondo is the building block for everything else. Starting with it allows for bodies to warm up as they trickle in whether it be for games or practices.
Muscles should not be stretched when they are cold. While Rondo starts them warming up, Dynamic Stretching make sure they are ready to be stretched.
These drills teach players to talk, pass & receive, move away from a defender, and work together in ways that apply to real life games.
These drills apply the Passing Patterns to shooting on the goal.
Practice "games" don't need to include a goal. Playing "keep away" to keep players focusing on passing rather than shooting on goal really builds their passing skills.
This is what the U10 Build-Out Line is aiming to develop. When the goalie drop-kicks the ball, the other team gets it 60% of the time. Keeping control of the ball starting in the backfield is a stronger strategy, but requires understanding and passing skills.
This fast-paced game is a fantastic and fun way to develop passing, field positioning and communication skills. And it is tiring!
Both defensive and offensive skills will be developed in this drill that pits players against each other one at a time.
The younger teams, U6, U7 and U8, play 4v4. This gives a idea of what to aim for even if they are still playing bunch-ball!
Don't let the players stand in place for too long. Players get cold and bored.
If your drills have more than a few players in a line, alter the drill!
Players need as many touches on the ball as possible. Coaches should rarely need to touch balls for a drill.
Kids stop listening after just a minute or two. Minimize how much you say at any one time. Speak simply and succinctly so they can follow what you are saying.
Speak clearly and loudly enough for players to understand you. Use key words in practice so you just need those key words during a game. Make sure your players understand those key words!
Encourage players more than you correct them. They will then respond better to your corrections and will play harder for you and your team.
As early as you can in the season, whether it is before the first practice, or at the first or second practice, schedule a meeting with the parents of your players. Here are some tips...
Five common mistakes volunteer soccer coaches make and how to fix them
Here is a video from another person giving his take on this.
Check out the NorCal Level 1 Coaching Manual.
You may also reach out to the Recreational Director of Coaching at recdoc@rpsoccerclub.org.