Customer Reviews

Youth Soccer Drills: 84 Drills for Beginning and Intermediate Players

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The drills are good for beginners provided they are at least 7 years old. The book could have been improved with a section on getting and holding the attention of young children. The section on space was interesting for an adult to read but beyond the ability of a 5 year old to grasp.

I found this book to be very helpful to new coach's that didn't grow up playing soccer or that didn't play when they were young. It has a lot of good drills for teaching the basics of soccer. This isn't a one book teaches all though, but it is a good start to help preparing for practice sessions.

This book makes the vital connection between space (a very abstract, adult term) and soccer in such a way that children can understand.

"Bunch ball" is the nemesis of youth soccer. While it is fun for a while, it does not teach skills that are valuable in the adult version of the game.

By suggesting drills and games that children can play and are fun, the kids can learn the concept of space ("big, fat triangles") without recognizing they are doing it. Clif Brittain

As I am new to soccer and coaching, I was looking for ways to keep my U8 girls busy, continuing to learn new skills and mostly, having fun! This book is the way to go. The drills (games) are well organized, progressive and eaily adapted to your individual teams or players needs. Great book to keep in your "coaches bag". Thats where mine is!

It is amazing to see just what kids can do when they are instructed properly and challenged to make decisions and think about their actions. The drills in this book not only work to teach young players a new way to learn the game but the fun they get by being successful is echoed by their smiles and cheers and by their parents on the sideline. We use these drills in our youth recreation program with players ages four to seven. It is our 5th year with the book and it works.

The trick to getting young kids to improve their skills is to keep them getting lots of touches during practice participating in games that are fun. These drills may not seem "gamelike" but they will improve the skills required to become better players. The matrix at the front helps coaches tailor practice to the drills that target the specific skills that you want to work on (dribbling, passing, shooting, etc,). I've used them with great results and recommend this book.

This book has been poorly written and it is not recommended for any age group.
Most of the drills are useless to teach soccer skills.
Other drills are so basic that probably a kid learns more if he/she is left alone with a ball.
Drills to increase physical fitness lacks creativity and probably will drive your players away from practice.
I purchased this item at Amazon. There are good alternatives out there. I have been a youth soccer coach for over 3 years and did not find anything that I could use here.

Sorry, but the book never teaches soccer techniques, the drills never become gamelike, and I can't imagine 10 year olds tolerating drills in this book for more than 5 minutes.