Each age group of youth soccer teams comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. Here we will focus on a typical session for under 8 players, addressing their needs and learning styles in order to optimize their learning whilst maintaining a fun, engaging environment.kids-soccer-practice

Before we look at some practice session examples it’s important to try and understand the players we are working with a little bit better. So I will list some typical traits of players in this age bracket:

  • In the early development stage of their soccer motor skills
  • Short attention spans/ Easily distracted
  • Learn best through disguised learning methods
  • May only be focused on one thing at a time (everyone’s focus is the ball)
  • Easily disheartened if things don’t work

All of these general factors need to be considered when planning your session. Based on these notes I think it is important to follow a set structure each session regardless of the topic. Here is a typical session flow:

  • Warm up- Every player has a ball (this way everyone has the same chance to develop their motor skills in their own time. Each player gets the same amount of time on the ball)
  • Technique/topic introduction (unopposed) to help build their confidence on the task in hand.
  • Technique under passive pressure- Testing their ability and allowing things to progress in difficulty in increments, giving the players a better chance to succeed.
  • Technique under full pressure/Conditioned game- Building on what has been worked on in a conditioned game environment, allowing time to check for learning.

For a U8 soccer practice session to be delivered most effectively it is always a good idea to try to disguise the learning. Story telling/picture painting is a great way to get the players involved engaged and excited to take part. By making each game an adventure you allow the players to learn the fundamental skills whilst still maintaining the fun and energy. Soccer is supposed to be fun and this is a great way to keep it that way!

So how do kid soccer players learn?

All players have different learning styles so it’s important to try and cover all the bases when working with under 8’s. Typically, time taken to deliver coaching points should be kept to a minimum to keep the players engaged. Ultimately, the game will be the teacher too so the more time they spend during practice getting touches on the ball the quicker they will develop. If coach delivers a point to the players a good method is to “Say, Show, Do and Review”. Allowing players the chance to hear it, see it, practice the technique then discuss it to check for learning.

Youth Sports Coach Training

It’s important to focus on developing the things that players of this age group will benefit most from as they get older. Things like dribbling and close individual ball control will benefit them greatly when they progress to the larger Under 10 field size which emphasizes the need to pass and use the field space more wisely.

In summary, Under 8 players need to be kept engaged from the start to the finish of the session. The more touches on the ball they have during the session the more their motor skills will develop and their confidence will increase accordingly, the coaches role is to facilitate a FUN learning environment, creating an exciting ‘Adventure Soccer’ theme while remembering to include the key skills the players need to learn.

I believe a particular pain point for coaches of this age is getting your players to focus on more than just the soccer ball. During games we often see all the players gravitating towards the ball. Here’s an excellent kids soccer practice drill and activity we can use to give the players more than one thing to think about, this will help develop their field awareness skills and, in time, allow them to assist their team mates better during games.

Remember as a coach it is ok for sessions to not work out quite as you had planned, this means that there is something to be learned by both player and coach, just be sure to have a plan B to move to. This will make sure players are always stimulated. Our ultimate goal is to keep players interested in the beautiful game, so channel your enthusiasm and passion into your sessions. There truly is no way to gauge where your influence on these young players will end. So make sure to make their soccer experience as positive as you can.

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Mark is a Soccer Coach Instructor certified with the English Football Association. He works contractually with clubs and organizations across the U.S. To develop clubs’ in house training plans. He is passionate about learning and sharing his own knowledge. Visit Mark’s online Coach education service and community at www.coachestrainingroom.com