Sundays in the
fall, I can be found running a Youth Soccer Clinic for kids ages 4 through
10. It is a lot of fun to see the
progression through the ages. The kids
begin by learning skills and then they play a game using the skills that they
have learned. Of course, everyone wants
to win but this program is very “low key” and so skill development is what is
emphasized. We want the kids to have fun
and to learn something about the game of soccer. These websites can be very helpful when
running a soccer clinic.
Soccer Drills
It is important as
a coach to have a detailed practice plan.
The kids will not have any fun or learn anything if they are standing
around. These websites offer ideas and
suggestions for running a great practice.
Here is a website
that gives suggestions for organizing drills with the players. Dribbling, passing and throw-ins are just
some of the things that are taught.
http://www.sports-media.org/links/html/Soccer/Lesson_Plans/
Visited on
September 19, 2004
This website gives
parents and coaches ideas for running an effective soccer practice. It includes drills and tips in order to get
the most out of your players. Rules of soccer are also included which is great
for those people that are novices to the game of soccer.
http://www.soccerhelp.com/
Visited on
September 18, 2004
This is another
good website with ideas for running an effective practice. It also includes a history of the origins of
soccer which is an interesting read.
Rules of the game can also be found.
This is an informative website giving lots of information to the novice
soccer mom (or dad).
http://www.soccer-for-parents.com/index.html
Visited on
September 19, 2004
Here is a website
that gives teachers ideas for soccer games.
A relay race lesson as well as a game that emphasizes dribbling skills
can be found. It is important to teach
skills to kids in a fun way so that they will enjoy coming to Phys. Ed.
class. This link is for grades Pre-K – 1
but the website also includes lesson plans for other grades and sports.
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/PEK1.htm
Visited on
September 19, 2004
This website gives
coaches ideas for lead-up games.
Included are such games as “Keep-Away”, “Hula Hoop Soccer” and “Pin
Soccer”. Lead-up games are used for
players to practice skills in a controlled environment. Anything and everything you want to know
about the game of soccer can be found on this website.
http://www.kidsfirstsoccer.com/ldupgame.htm
Visited on
September 20, 2004
Soccer Equipment
You can’t play the
game without a ball. Here are several
websites that sell everything soccer related.
This website allows
users to buy all kinds of soccer equipment from balls to uniforms to
goals. Everything that a player needs is
available on this website.
http://www.soccersupplies.com/
Visited on
September 18, 2004
Goals and balls are
just two of the necessary objects for a game of soccer. This website has many different types of
soccer goals and balls available for purchase.
Whatever your need this website is sure to fulfill it.
http://www.soccer-equipment-guide.com/
Visited on
September 18, 2004
Books on Soccer
Before becoming a
soccer coach it is important to know about the game. These books offer information to the novice
coach on such things as soccer rules, drills and game situations.
The rules of soccer
are very important to players and coaches alike. This book gives basic soccer rules as well as
interpretations of the rules.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0713724749/102-1058669-4708921?v=glance
Visited on
September 18, 2004
Everything a coach
needs is inside this book of Advanced Soccer Drills. Numerous drills are included with diagrams to
better help the coach teach the important skills of the game of soccer.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0880116145/ref=sib_dp_rdr/102-1058669-4708921#reader-page
Visited on
September 18, 2004
A novice soccer
player would be interested in visiting this website. It gives definitions to many of the terms
that are used in the game of soccer such as yellow card, throw-in, corner kick
and goal kick. Soccer terms will not
seem so foreign to new players after visiting this website.
http://users.erols.com/soccertip/dictionary/dictiona.htm
Visited on
September 19, 2004
Keeping Kids Safe
Teachers, parents
and coaches should be aware of ways to keep kids safe while they are playing
soccer. These websites offer some
important tips.
While introducing
the game of soccer to a child, it is imperative that all possible precautions
with regard to safety be addressed. This
website offers suggestions for being safe while having fun at the same
time. Some tips that are mentioned
include, taking the child to a doctor for a preseason physical exam and
outfitting the child with proper and correctly fitting equipment such as shin
guards and cleats.
http://safeusa.org/sports/soccer.htm
Visited on
September 20, 2004
This website offers
more tips to parents and coaches about keeping kids safe while playing the game
of soccer. Included are tips about
heading the ball properly as well as being safe around moveable goals.
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/safety/playing_soccer_safely.html
Visited on
September 20, 2004
One of the skills
in soccer is heading the ball. It is
important for coaches to know the proper technique when teaching their players
to head the ball. Studies have shown
that heading the ball incorrectly can lead to concussions and possibly
traumatic brain injuries. This website
tells coaches how to properly teach heading the ball to their players.
http://www.ayso85.org/region85/mainbody/HeadingSafely021026.htm
Visited on
September 20, 2004
Youth Programming
Many parents choose
to enroll their children in a soccer league.
Playing soccer as a child is a great way for the child to learn how to
work with others on a team as well as gain some exercise since schools are cutting
back on their physical education programs.
These websites will help parents to find the right program for their
child.
This website gives
parents the resources for finding appropriate soccer programs for their children
in their area. The important aspects of
the AYSO program are that everyone plays, good sportsmanship is important,
teams are balanced and coaches are positive.
http://soccer.org/
Visited on
September 19, 2004
September has been
declared National Youth Soccer Month. There
are 4 messages that are important to remember during Youth Soccer Month. Among those ideas are Fitness, Friendship, Family and Fun. Soccer is a game that can be enjoyed by
everyone. This website gives visitors
information on celebrations that are occurring in their area.
http://www.youthsoccermonth.org/
Visited on
September 19, 2004
During the summer
it is important to keep up with your soccer skills. Soccer camps are located throughout the
country. Visitors to this website will
be able to find and register for soccer camps for their children.
http://www.soccer-camps.com/camps/c01cmmd.shtml
Visited on
September 19, 2004
Professional Teams
Kids love to watch
games on television and imitate their favorite players. Here are some websites for professional teams
and players.
http://www.baltimoreblast.com/
Visited on
September 18, 2004
http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/MLS/dcu/index.jsp
Visited on
September 18, 2004
Soccer in
http://www.manutd.com/home/default.sps
Visited on
September 19, 2004
Soccer is a sport
that is enjoyed by men, women and kids.
One of the best women’s soccer players of all time is Mia Hamm. She just finished an outstanding soccer
career by helping the U.S. National Team to win the gold medal in the Athens
Olympics.
This website tells
all about the foundation that she is involved with which helps to raise funds
and awareness for bone marrow transplant patients. She is also married to Nomar Garciaparra, one
of the best shortstops in baseball today.
http://www.miafoundation.org/index.html
Visited on
September 19, 2004
The World Cup is a
soccer tournament that occurs once every four years. In 2006 the tournament is in
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/
Visited on September
19, 2004