Soccer is the world's most popular sport, a global language understood from Europe to the Americas to Asia and Africa. Helping young players is vitally important if they are to get maximum enjoyment and benefit from their soccer. And it is massive fun for the coach who volunteers their time and their talent. Especially if those children in their team are at the best age to learn, from eight to twelve. Old enough to concentrate for long periods and co-ordinated enough to learn complex skills and techniques, young enough to retain enthusiasm and excitement for their sport.
Chest Dugger's Soccer Drills for Kids Ages 8-12 provides a season long training programme, tackling all the key skills a young soccer player needs to learn. The ingredients of soccer are each covered either in their own, bespoke chapter, or as a part of another section of the book: passing, shooting, dribbling, learning about space, defending (in the context of other skills) and so forth. All of these ingredients are covered keeping in mind the nuances that relate to kids in this age. In addition there are chapters on mental health and well-being, including tips on working with young people who are neuro-diverse. Physical fitness is covered but in a practical way which maintains and enhances the natural fitness most kids enjoy. At the same time the chapter utilises the opportunity to build on this in ways which develop other soccer-based attributes as well. Tactics are examined, because children aged eight to twelve are beginning to understand the greater complexities of the game that this aspect brings, and which will help their own enjoyment of the sport. However, tactics are introduced in a simplified way, one which will improve their pleasure in playing soccer and not detract from their own acquisition of vital skills and techniques.
There is also a chapter on fun games which use soccer skills in different settings, and provides the variety children love. The book is presented in simple chapters each containing drills, tips or activities. The consistent format helps coaches understand the suggested drills, and use them as a starting point to develop their own exercises which will address the training needs of their own team. Diagrams accompany drills, and are simple to follow, with clear two-dimensional plans to aid clarity.
This book is aimed at coaches of boys and girls, or mixed teams. It is suitable with all ability ranges and each drill contains a useful guide as to the best ages with which to use the exercise, where appropriate. But it is also ideal for parents and relations looking to learn a little more about the wonderful game of soccer. It is a useful reference for players, young and older, and a great central resource for clubs. Even the most experienced of coaches sometimes benefits from a new idea, or a different way of approaching a training need. Soccer Drills for Kids Ages 8-12 provides a wealth of examples of ways to help our young players.
So, if you want to give your young players the competitive advantage they need to succeed on the field, order your copy of Soccer Drills for Kids Ages 8-12 today. With this book as your guide, you'll be able to create a dynamic and successful team that your players will love being a part of. As Pele says, success takes hard work, perseverance, and sacrifice - but with the right tools and training, your young players can achieve greatness.