Has it ever occurred to you as to how many different kinds of benefits soccer practice games offer? The games offer not only the flexibility to develop their own style of playing but also get to touch the ball relatively more.
The arrangement of a 4v4 small-sided game in soccer training is not very big but works best for both the players as well as the coach. The coach has the opportunity to watch over all the players on one side because there are only 4 players. There is a lot of time available to the players for the purpose of playing with the game. Moreover, the players get a chance to practice the procedure of distribution, looking up, collecting the ball, and making quick decisions.
It is the duty of the coach to be present on the field and encourage the kids to use this process. The kids may not get familiarized to it easily especially in the beginning. For example, they might try to apply the usual technique of kick and run. It’s absolutely ok. But you’ll have to teach them the variety of ways available to execute the process of distribution.
If need be, use a diagram to teach them the process first. Subsequently demonstrate it too for the kids. Be a little persistent and the kids will find it easy to accept and follow it. This way the kids will be in a position to use the space in a best possible manner when they are having the ball with the use of this process.
This brings a sort of structure into the team’s play. This also ultimately leads to the players being able to work on their skills as well as control the rate at which the game progresses. You must know that this process of distribution is applicable only to players who have made some advancement in their training.
The beginners should not be introduced to this in soccer practice games. Their soccer drills must still concentrate on playing freely without a lot of guidance and rules. The focus should not be the development of the technique but free play and enjoyment.
When you teach players the process of distribution, it also makes sense to teach them to maintain balance with the ball. The player with the ball must keep the possession of the ball and also keep looking up to pass the ball correctly.
The coach must teach the players to create space around the player with the ball so that he has ample room to move the ball around. A 4v4 game is the best method to learn such things.
Another duty of the coach is to teach the players different positions such as forward, defender, right flank, left flank. The kids should identify with these positions and the best way to practice it is that the coach refers to them by name during the sessions.
You must be tolerant while the kids learn these soccer exercises. They may take some time in learning these things.
So use these soccer practice games to help your kids learn the fine points of soccer. For more of such tips on a 4v4 game, subscribe to our youth soccer coaching community that has numerous resources on soccer coaching.
Andre Botelho is the author of “The Expert Youth Soccer Coaching Guide” and he’s a recognized expert in the subject of youth soccer coaching. Learn how to explode your players’ skills and make coaching sessions fun in less than 29 days! Download your free pdf guide at: Soccer Training Tips.
Tags: soccer drills, soccer exercises, Soccer practice games, soccer training